A bizarre new trend has surfaced on TikTok, prompting eye care professionals to speak out with strong warnings against it.
Men have started altering their eyelashes in an attempt to appear more “masculine,” a trend that’s left many scratching their heads.
In my 28 years, I’ve never once looked at a man with naturally long lashes and thought, “That’s not masculine.” Honestly, I doubt most people have. But apparently, TikTok thinks differently.
Recently, videos have emerged showing men trimming or shaving off their eyelashes using scissors or electric razors. Some are even going as far as cutting them right down to the skin. One barber on TikTok claimed it gives men a tougher, more rugged appearance.
Eyelashes have a range of purposes when it comes to the eyeGetty Stock Photo
One of the most buzzed-about videos came from celebrity barber and TikTok creator @truththebarberartist_, who shared a clip captioned: “Some might think this is fake, but honestly, it’s 100% real.”
In the video, he recounted: “I personally saw a walk-in client ask a barber to shave off his eyelashes. He said he didn’t like how long they were and mentioned his wife criticized them for looking too feminine. He even offered to pay extra.”
He ended the clip with some thought-provoking questions: “So, to all the barbers out there—should this even be considered a legit service? Is it something that belongs in a barbershop? Would you actually do it if a client asked? And the big one: Does shaving your eyelashes somehow make you more masculine?”
The video has stirred up plenty of reactions. Some viewers were intrigued, eager to see the end result, while others dismissed the trend as completely absurd. But no matter your stance on the look, medical experts are warning that the health risks far outweigh any cosmetic appeal.
Speaking to the Huffington Post, ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Hayden didn’t mince words: “Trimming your eyelashes is not at all recommended.”
She went on to explain, “It’s especially unwise to bring sharp tools like scissors near your eyes. The risk of injuring the cornea — the eye’s delicate outer layer — is extremely high.”
Beyond the obvious risk of injury, trimming your lashes also strips away one of your body’s natural defenses against dirt and bacteria.
Dr. Victoria Williams — an oculoplastic surgeon, neuro-ophthalmologist, and founder of the Williams Eye Specialty Clinic — told HuffPost: “Eyelashes are there to stop foreign particles like dust, debris, and splashes from entering the eye. They act as a barrier against germs and bacteria, helping to prevent infections.”
She also noted that lashes play a role in keeping your eyes hydrated by supporting the tear film — a thin layer of fluid that coats and protects the eye. Without that barrier, you could start experiencing dryness, irritation, or excessive tearing.
Eyelashes double as miniature alert systems. They sense when something nears your eye, giving you just enough time to blink and block it.
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, lead medical advisor for All About Vision, explained it this way: “Eyelashes detect a nearby object before it strikes the eye, prompting a protective blink reflex. Shortened lashes reduce the reaction window, increasing the risk of corneal scratches or other ocular damage.”
And if that doesn’t convince you, think about this—lashes also shield your eyes from intense sunlight and help ease light sensitivity. So trimming them could leave your vision more vulnerable than you’d expect.
Doctors have warned that trimming eyelashes could leave your eyes susceptible to dust and dirtGetty Stock Photo
At the end of the day, you’ve got to ask yourself—are shorter lashes really worth it just to seem more “manly,” especially if it means exposing your eyes to dust, bacteria, and bright light? As for me, I know exactly where I stand on that.
