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Understanding your eyelashes and the function of eyelashes
An eyelash, known also simply as lash, is one of the hairs that grow at the edge of the eyelid.  Eyelashes protect the eye from debris, they are sensitive to being touched, thus providing a warning that an object is near the eye.

The eyelashes of the embryo develop between the 7th and 8th week. Eyelashes take on average about seven to eight weeks to grow back if pulled out.  Their colour 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.

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

The Glands of Zeis (so named after ophthalmologist Eduard Zeis), are unilobar sebaceous glands located on the margin of the eyelid. The glands of Zeis service the eyelash.  These glands produce an oily substance that is issued through the excretory ducts of the sebaceous lobule into the middle portion of the hair follicle.  In the same area of the eyelid, near the base of the eyelashes are sweat glands called the Glands of Moll.

If eyelashes are not kept clean, conditions such as folliculitis (an inflammation) may take place and if the sebaceous gland becomes infected it can potentially lead to adscesses and styes.


The Glands of Moll
(so named after oculist Jacob Anton Moll), also known as ciliary glands, are modified sweat glands that are found on the margin of the eyelid.  They are next to the base of the eyelashes and anterior to the Meibomian glands (a special gland located at the rim of eyelash) within the distal eyelid margin. These glands are relatively large and tubular-shaped.  Moll's glands empty into the adjacent lashes. Glands of Moll and Zeis secrete lipid that adds to the superficial layer of the tear film, retarding evaporation.  The glands of Moll are prone to infection and blockage of its duct with sebum and cell debris. Blockage of the gland's duct causes swelling which can manifest itself as a stye.

The importance of healthy eyelashes
There are a number of diseases or disorders involving the eyelashes to look out for and that the use of LASHFOOD can contribute to avoiding:

  • Madarosis is the loss of eyelashes

  • Blepharitis is the irritation of the lid margin (where eyelashes join the eyelid). Eyelids are red and itching. The skin often becomes flaky. The eyelashes may fall.

  • Distichiasis is the abnormal growth of lashes from certain areas of the eyelid.

  • Trichiasis is ingrown eyelashes

  • An external hordeolum, or stye, is a purulent inflammation of infected eyelash follicles and surrounding sebaceous (Zeis) and apocrine (Moll) glands of the lid margin.

  • Trichotillomania is a disorder that urges the sufferer to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, etc.

LASHFOOD is a contributing help to thicken, strengthen and improve the health of your lashes or eyebrow hair.

Cosmetics for the Eyes
Long eyelashes are considered a sign of femininity in most if not all cultures. Accordingly, some women seek to enhance their eyelash length artificially to appear more feminine and sexually desirable with procedures such as eyelash extensions.  Many people use different types of cosmetics to enhance and emphasize their eyes, such as, mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, all of which help to emphasize the eyes.