Have you ever wondered why we have eyebrows? Then check out these fun facts about eyebrows for the answer – we think it will surprise you!
Why do we have eyebrows? If we shave them off, do eyebrows grow back? And why do eyebrows curl with age?
If you have ever pondered any of these questions, then keep reading. We have some facts about eyebrows that will answer everything for you!
People spend countless hours and lots of money on their quest for the perfect brow. One that says everything you want your first impression to be.
Whether you want your eyebrows to give you a playful, professional, or purely presentable look, it’s important to understand all about eyebrows and why we have them.
But eyebrows aren’t just for looks. Did you know they have a pretty important function?
Or how about this eyebrow fac – the average human has around 250 hairs per eyebrow. Now that’s a lot of hair! And on top of that, we lose several each day.
People, especially ladies, spend lots of money on their eyebrows every year. However, men have been known to take a trip to the salon to get some shaping done, too.
And finally, eyebrows are a bit like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike. That’s why you need to dive into these eyebrow facts and learn all about eyebrows!
Contents:
19 Facts About Eyebrows
1. Why do we need eyebrows?
The eyes are not only the window to the soul. To function properly, they need to be protected. For that purpose, our eyebrows are pivotal.
They protect our eyes from wind, rain, and sweat. They, along with our eyelashes can whisk away dirt and shield our delicate eyes from the harmful rays of the sun.
Remember that when you grab your tweezers. Over-plucking can actually be dangerous.
2. How many hairs do eyebrows have?
The average person has about 250 hairs per eyebrow. They vary greatly in thickness and length, though.
We lose around 2 to 3 eyebrow hairs every day. If you look closely, you might notice that the hairs closest to your nose point upward and slant outward the farther away from the center you go.
3. Cowlicks?
Eyebrows do indeed have cowlicks. While this is more common with curly hair, anyone can find a cute little whirl in their eyebrows.
The key to dealing with eyebrow cowlicks is to work with the curl, not against it. A brow gel or clear mascara can be an invaluable tool. Just be sure to pay attention to the direction of the wave and do your best to accommodate it.
4. Summer lovin’
Believe it or not, our eyebrows tend to grow faster in the summer.
Part of the reason for this phenomenon is the warmer weather. We are more active during the summer months, which leads to better circulation. Those extra nutrients contribute to a healthier and more active growing season.
5. Different growth rates
Why does the hair on our head (and our nose!) continue to grow seemingly indefinitely while the hair on our eyebrows stops at a pre-determined length?
The answer to this question lies in the lifespan of each hair. Eyebrow hair grows about ¼ of a millimeter a day for 30 days. On the other hand, the hair on your head can grow for 3 to 5 years.
While every person is different, these growth rates are relatively standard and can explain why your eyebrows seem to stay the same length while the hair on your head continues to grow.
6. Don’t stress your tresses
Stress is a nasty thing. It can affect almost every aspect of our health and bodies. Our eyebrows are no exception.
Excessive levels of stress can affect the growth rate of your eyebrows. When you are stressed, your eyebrow hair can grow slower, or even stop altogether.
If you are trying to increase your hair growth, decrease your stress.
7. A brow is worth a thousand words
Eyebrows aren’t just for decoration. If you have ever carried on a conversation with another person, you know how important nonverbal communication can be.
Our eyebrows play a huge role in nonverbal communication. They are some of the most expressive parts of our faces. They can convey a multitude of emotions with just a single arch.
Beyond that, every eyebrow is unique and can lend a particular distinction to a face.
8. The many meanings behind the unibrow
Different cultures have laid different significances on the unibrow. Some cultures view a monobrow as an indication of high intelligence. Others view the joined brow to signify beauty.
There are even some cultures that see a unibrow as a sign of good luck or even fertility. One thing is certain though, human beings have been obsessed with eyebrows for as long as we’ve had faces.
9. Ingrown hairs or breakouts?
Ever notice those inflamed bumps that seem to appear after every plucking? Those are your hair follicles trying to protect and reclaim the hair.
Instead of ingrown hairs, that last for days, these bumps should disappear within hours.
10. Did Mona Lisa have eyebrows?
Amazingly, there is some controversy surrounding this question. Some believe she never did, while others claim her eyebrows were erased over time – whether intentional or not is up for debate.
New technologies, such as infrared scanning, show that the mysterious lady did indeed originally come with brows. The real question is, did she have flat, bushy, or arched brows? I guess we’ll never know…
11. Massaging your brows can help them to grow
If you are looking to encourage eyebrow growth, try a nice brow massage. Experts agree that increased blood circulation is an excellent way to grow healthy hair growth.
Every hair follicle, including your eyebrow hairs, is connected to a tiny blood vessel. Giving your brows an excellent nightly rub-down could lead to fantastic growth effects.
12. Don’t forget to exfoliate
The skin around and under your eyebrows needs a bit of TLC. To aid in healthy hair growth and prevent bumps and blackheads, your eyebrows should be regularly exfoliated.
For best results, try a soft face cloth and a gentle cleanser. Use gentle, circular motions.
Avoid the actual eye area. If you stick to a routine, you’ll see great results.
13. Curly eyebrows deserve love too
For those with curly eyebrows, it’s best not to pluck too much. Gals (or guys) with curly brows should focus more on grooming and less on plucking.
Use a brow brush to shape the brows, and small scissors to shape the errant hairs. To tame those seemingly untamable strays, use a clear mascara or brow gel to maintain your ideal shape.
14. They have quite the history
Eyebrows have been an important part of human interaction for much of our existence.
Eyebrow tools and paraphernalia have been found in ruins, digs, and gravesites the world over. They have even been found in ancient Egyptian burial sites.
15. No two alike
Whether they are thin, bushy, or arched, no two eyebrows are the same. Like snowflakes, each brow is unique and distinct.
16. They’re expensive
Women spend just over $3,700 each year on maintaining their face, a huge chunk of that goes towards the eyebrows. Men, on the other hand, spend just under $3,000.
This adds up to a hefty chunk over a lifetime! About $225,000 for women and $175,000 for men.
17. Follow the trend
Eyebrows themselves are a fashion statement. Think back over your life and famous figures that graced magazine covers.
Sometimes, these celebrities had a near pencil-thin line over their eyes. Other times, the brows were so large and full it was almost distracting.
18. Shave it off
Eyebrow grooming has been commonplace since the Renaissance period. What people did before is an eyebrow fact that might surprise you.
Historically, people shaved their eyebrows. Even Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, was known for her intense beauty regimen, including facial grooming.
19. Colonial brow enhancement?
In the early Americas, people had an interesting way of bolstering their eyebrows. Colonial settlers were known to boost their own natural eyebrows with gray mouse hair.
This fun fact about eyebrows was quite popular and desirable and considered a sign of wealth.
Who wants more fun facts?
If you’re looking for some recommendations, these are a few of our favorite fact books to buy. We use these when planning fun trivia nights with family and friends!
We really hope you enjoyed all our facts about eyebrows! Did you learn something new?
If there’s any we missed, you can let us know in the comments below and we’ll add them to this article!
