Eyelash

An eyelash or simply lash is one of the hairs that grows at the edge of the eyelid. It grows in one layer on the edge of the eyelids. Eyelashes protect the eye from debris, dust and small particles and perform some of the same functions as whiskers do on a cat or a mouse in the sense that they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object (such as a bug) is near the eye (which then closes reflexively).

For other uses, see Eyelash (disambiguation).
Eyelash
Human eyelashes
Details
SystemSensory
Identifiers
LatinCilium
GreekBλέφαρον (blépharon)
MeSHD005140
TA98A15.2.07.037
TA27057
FMA53669
Anatomical terminology

The Ancient Greek word for eyelash is βλέφαρον (transliterated as blepharon), which is seen as a root in biological terms like Blephara.

Structure

Development

The eyelashes of the human embryo develop from the ectoderm[1] between the 22nd and 26th week of pregnancy.[2] Natural eyelashes do not grow beyond a certain length, and fall off by themselves without any need for trimming. Eyelashes take about seven to eight weeks to grow back if pulled out, but constant pulling may lead to permanent damage. Their color may differ from that of the hair, although they tend to be dark on someone with dark hair and lighter on someone with light hair. Eyelash hair is not androgenic[3] and is therefore not affected by puberty.

Glands

The follicles of eyelashes are associated with a number of glands known as the glands of Zeis and the glands of Moll.

Clinical significance
A stye

There are a number of diseases or disorders involving the eyelashes:

Eyelash and eyebrow transplant surgeries may help to reconstruct or thicken lashes or eyebrow hair.

Society and culture

Cosmetics
Green mascara

Long eyelashes are considered a sign of beauty in many cultures. Accordingly, some women seek to enhance their eyelash length artificially, using eyelash extensions. On the other hand, Hadza women are known to trim their own eyelashes.[5]

Kohl, a black putty (usually antimony sulfide or lead sulfide), has been worn as far back as the Bronze Age to darken the edge of the eyelid (just at the bottom of the eyelashes). In Ancient Egypt, it was used as well by the wealthy and the royal to beautify their eyes. Modern eye makeup includes mascara, eyeliner, eye putty, and eye shadow to emphasize the eyes. The twentieth century saw the beginning of convincing false eyelashes, popular in the 1960s. There are also different tools that can be used on the lashes such as eyelash curler or mascara shield (also named mascara guard or eye makeup helper).

Permanent eyelash tints and eyelash extensions have also become popular procedures, even in fairly basic salons. It is also possible to get eyelash transplants, which are similar in nature to hair transplantation often done on the head. Since the hair is transplanted from the hair on the head, the new eyelashes will continue to grow like head hair and will need to be trimmed regularly.[6]

Latisse was introduced in the first quarter of 2009 by Allergan as the first drug to receive FDA approval for eyelash growth. Latisse is a solution of bimatoprost, the active component of the glaucoma medication Lumigan. According to Allergan, noticeable eyelash growth occurs within 16 weeks. Growth is reported to occur primarily on the upper eyelashes. In addition, the past decade has seen the rapid increase in the development of eyelash conditioners. These conditioners are designed to increase the health and length of lashes. Many utilize seed extract, minerals, and other chemicals to achieve these results.[7]

Cosmetic companies have recently relied on scientific research of prostaglandins and the Wnt/b-catenin signaling pathways to develop eyelash products. Although bimatoprost is effective in promoting increased growth of healthy eyelashes and adnexal hairs, its effectiveness in patients with eyelash alopecia areata is debatable.[8]

In other animals
A horse's eye, showing lashes

Lashes, being hair, are found in mammals. Camels' lashes are remarkably long and thick. Horses and cows feature eyelashes as well. Inherited eyelash problems are common in some breeds of dogs as well as horses.

Eyelashes are an uncommon but not unknown feature in birds. Hornbills have prominent eyelashes (vestigial feathers with no barbs), as do ostriches. Amongst the reptiles, only Eyelash vipers show a set of modified scales over the eyes which look much like eyelashes.

See also
  • Eyelash extensions, used to enhance the length, curliness, fullness, and thickness of natural eyelashes

References
  1. Standring, Susan Neil R. Borley (2008). Gray's Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (40th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. p. 703. ISBN 978-0443066849.
  2. "Fetal development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". Nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  3. Randall, VA; Hibberts, NA; Thornton, MJ; Hamada, K; Merrick, AE; Kato, S; Jenner, TJ; De Oliveira, I; Messenger, AG (2000). "The hair follicle: a paradoxical androgen target organ". Horm. Res. 54: 243–50. doi:10.1159/000053266. PMID 11595812.
  4. "A survey on prevalence of demodex infection in vocational college students in fuyang city" (PDF). 中华全科医学.
  5. "Hadza". Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender: Men and Women in the World's Cultures, Vol. 1. New York: Springer. 2003. ISBN 978-0-306-47770-6.
  6. "Plug and sew eyelashes for women". Xinhua News. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2013.
  7. "Jarilla–Coffea extract: a natural cosmetic product that improves eyelash and eyebrow growth in women". PubMed Central.
  8. Law, SK (26 April 2010). "Bimatoprost in the treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis". Clin Ophthalmol. 4: 349–58. doi:10.2147/opth.s6480. PMC 2861943. PMID 20463804.
  • Media related to Eyelashes at Wikimedia Commons

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