Don’t Cut or Trim Your Eyelashes

The internet’s full of videos of people giving themselves bangs, shaping their brows and removing hair from ... well, everywhere. So maybe it shouldn’t be shocking that a TikTok grooming trend has people taking scissors to their eyelashes.

It may leave you asking, Should I trim my eyelashes?

Dermatologist Stephanie Trovato, MD, explains why cutting eyelashes is such a bad idea — and why you have those wispy little hairs in the first place.

Is it safe to cut or trim your eyelashes?

Medical professionals generally don’t recommend trimming eyelashes.

“Lashes typically have a limited growth cycle, and they rarely reach a length that would pose a problem,” Dr. Trovato says. (More on extra-long lashes in a bit.)

Of course, most people latching onto this trend aren’t doing it for their health. They’re doing it because a small group of social media influencers says that eyelashes make men look feminine.

Grooming trends come and go. But from a dermatologic and ophthalmologic perspective, your eyelashes should really stay put. Here’s why.

Potential risks

Trimming eyelashes is a risky practice for many reasons.

Let’s start with the obvious: You’re putting a sharp object near your eye. A sharp object that could introduce bacteria, especially if it isn’t clean. You don’t need to be a fan of horror movies to picture that choice backfiring on you!

Beyond injuring your eye or eyelid, a lash trim could also cause irritation, raising your risk of:

• Inflammation
• Infection
• Short-term vision changes

“In some cases, cutting or trimming your eyelashes could contribute to problems like eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), which requires treatment,” Dr. Trovato says.

Here’s something else you may not have thought of: Cutting your eyelashes can disrupt your tear film — the invisible liquid barrier that coats your eyes. The result? Dry, itchy eyes.

Even if all goes well, you’ll still be left without the benefits lashes offer.

The role of eyelashes in eye health

Your eyelashes aren’t just decorative. They’re functional, too, helping protect and maintain the delicate environment around your eyes.

“Eyelashes act as a barrier, reducing the amount of dust and debris that gets on the surface of your eye,” Dr. Trovato explains. “Their natural curve also diverts liquids and irritants like sweat away from your eye.”

Another fun fact about eyelashes: If something touches them, they can trigger your blink reflex.

Unless, of course, you cut them.

“Your lashes serve as natural protection for your eyes,” Dr. Trovato emphasizes. “Removing or trimming them can increase the risk of dust and debris making it onto the surface of your eye. That can lead to inflammation, irritation and other symptoms.”

Will they grow back?

If you’ve just gone to town on your lashes for the first time, there’s good news: They should grow back. But the process may look (and feel) a bit awkward. And it’ll take a while to restore them to their former glory.

The answer gets more complex if you make a habit of it.

“If the follicles are intact and unharmed, we’d expect your eyelashes to grow back after cutting,” Dr. Trovato says. “But repeated trauma, inflammation or infection could damage them and hinder regrowth.”

One other thing: Don’t believe anyone who tells you that cutting or trimming your lashes will make them more lustrous.

“There’s no evidence to suggest that trimming or removing eyelashes helps them grow back longer or thicker,” Dr. Trovato states.

The best way to get thicker, fuller lashes? Add mascara or ask your doctor to discuss your concerns further.

When to see a doctor

While rare, there are situations when your eyelashes need a doctor’s care. In those cases, your provider may choose to trim or remove problem lashes. But treatment is often focused on correcting the underlying problem — and in these cases, your doctor will advise the best course of action.

Here are some conditions that may require an eyelash intervention.

• Trichiasis misdirects your eyelashes toward your eye. They can then rub against your cornea or conjunctiva, causing pain.
• Distichiasis is when you have two rows of lashes on your eyelid. They can also be misdirected, leading to eye injuries.
• Eyelash trichomegaly is a condition where your lashes are so long that they hurt your eyes and impair your eyesight.
• Inflammatory diseases, like ocular rosacea, alopecia areata and blepharitis, can affect both eyelash growth and direction. It can also cause them to fall out.

“These conditions should be diagnosed by a board-certified dermatologist, a board-certified ophthalmologist or a licensed optometrist — and managed in a sterile medical setting,” Dr. Trovato stresses.

You should also contact a provider if you have symptoms like:

• Sudden changes in the way your lashes look (think quantity, length, thickness, etc.)
• Eyelash loss or misdirection
• Eye pain, redness or discharge
• A gritty or scratchy feeling, like something’s stuck in your eye
• Vision issues, like blurring or light sensitivity
• Eyelid redness or swelling
• Watery eyes

Final thoughts

There’s nothing wrong with being particular about your appearance. And if you find your lashes long, unattractive or hard to manage, the urge to do some extreme grooming is understandable. But trimming eyelashes is a risky practice. And it won’t fix the problem.

Before taking a pair of scissors to your lashes, talk to a provider. They can help you find a better, safer way to address your concerns. Your eyes will thank you.