Most of us dream of long, upward-curling lashes to frame our eyes and make them pop. But, despite our love of this physical feature, naturally long, curly lashes are not the norm for most of us. Thus, many of us turn toward eyelash extensions, mascara, growth serums, and lash curlers to help us achieve this desirable trait. If you wonder where your eyelash length comes from, we’ve got news for you: it is a combination of your genetics and your environment. Environmental effects on our lashes are easier to explain, but the bigger question is how do our genetics influence this trait? Let’s take a look.
A Quick Review of Genetics
Genes (or DNA) are essentially a code that tells our bodies how to develop and function. Behind every trait (from our eye color to how our mitochondria function) is a genetic code.
We get two copies of each gene to form a pair. One copy comes from our mother, the other from our father. Genes are considered either dominant or recessive. A dominant gene is where at least one parent gives a dominant gene, and that is what is expressed–even if the other parent gives a non-dominant gene. A non-dominant gene is called a recessive gene, and it is only expressed if a person gets the recessive gene from each parent. Dominant genes are the most common traits we see in the population because the odds are much higher that a child will inherit at least one dominant trait compared to two recessive traits.
Are Long Eyelashes Dominant or Recessive?
Basically, there are only two variations of eyelash length that you can get: long or short. Long eyelashes are the dominant trait, which means that most people will have long eyelashes if they have at least one parent with the dominant gene.
Grow Your Lashes Now
What Is the Purpose of Eyelashes?
While we often look at eyelashes as a sign of beauty, their function is far greater than enhancing our appearance. Eyelashes primarily serve to protect particles from entering the eyes. In many ways, they are the first line of defense for keeping dust, pollen, dirt, lint, and other airborne debris out of our eyes. When our eyes are open, they are more susceptible to these invaders, but the eyelashes make a very solid barrier when closed.
Interestingly, eyelashes also protect you from bigger agents as well. When something large comes into contact with the eyelashes, like a branch or bug, the eyelashes immediately cue the eye muscles to shut the lids to protect the eyeball.
If Long Eyelashes Are Dominant, Why Do So Many People Have Short Eyelashes?
This question is quite loaded, and the answer is undoubtedly complex. Firstly, what we consider long versus short in the eyelash department is based on what we see around us. Many people with naturally long eyelashes feel their eyelashes are too short because of what they see in magazines and out on the street. Additionally, many people (namely women) use various techniques to enhance their eyelash length, thus skewing our perception of what is considered long versus short.
Perhaps more importantly, though, is the fact that eyelash length may change over time, and lashes often become shorter as opposed to longer. There are several reasons why this may occur, including changes in hair growth with age, certain health conditions, skin changes, and harsh styling practices.
Styling practices, in particular, can wreck your eyelashes over time. For example, if you have had false eyelashes in the past, you may have noticed that your eyelashes were thinner than before you had the false lashes placed. The glue and tension on your existing lashes, coupled with daily applications of mascara and possibly curling, can cause long-term damage to the lashes.
How Do You Get Noticeably Longer Eyelashes Without Damaging Them?
The key to making your lashes more noticeable, lengthy, and voluminous without causing damage is to use an eyelash conditioning serum. A good serum will have the following ingredients:
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate
- Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
- Safflower Glycerides
- Adenosine
- Lysophosphatidic Acid
- Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17
These key ingredients are most effective when they are encapsulated with nanosome technology. The proprietary Advanced Nanosome Delivery System found in DS Laboratory products ensures that products penetrate deeper into the skin than other products available on the market. By actually penetrating the area where eyelash growth occurs, people using products with this system are more likely to see visibly longer, denser, thicker, and fuller lashes.
Spectral.LASH Advanced Eyelash Conditioning Serum contains all of the above ingredients and ensures they target the base of each eyelash via nanosome technology. The product is an ophthalmologist-developed serum that is hypoallergenic, non-irritating, and free of Parabens, Phthalates, BHT, or gluten. In addition, it is also oil-free and safe for use with eyelash extensions. Shop Spectral.LASH lash today to get the lashes you want and leave the harsh and often expensive styling practices behind.