What are eyebrows for? Functions and tips for caring for them

Eyebrows are a key element in the appearance of our face, and their shape, color and density significantly influence a person’s attractiveness. But you should also know that they perform several important functions, both from a biological and social point of view. Below, we explain the main reasons why we have eyebrows, what they are for and what functions they perform, and what you can do to take care of them properly.

What are eyebrows for?

The initial purpose of eyebrows in humans was probably to protect our eyes, as the supraorbital crest (frontal bone of the skull on which the eyebrows are located) of our Pleistocene ancestors was much more prominent. However, in our evolutionary history as a species our facial features have softened and eyebrows have taken on a secondary role, although they still serve important functions.

Protection

• Defense against sweat and moisture: Eyebrows help to divert sweat and moisture from the forehead to the sides of the face, preventing it from entering the eyes. This is particularly useful in hot conditions or when performing intense physical activities.
• Particle Blocking: Eyebrows also act as a barrier to prevent dust, dirt, and other small debris from falling onto and entering your eyes.

Expression and communication

• Nonverbal communication: Eyebrows play a crucial role in facial expression and eyebrow movements can convey emotions such as surprise, anger, sadness or confusion, helping people communicate without the need for words.
• Facial Identity: Eyebrows contribute significantly to a person’s appearance and identity. Changes in the shape or thickness of the eyebrows can alter the perception of the face.

Sensitivity to touch

• Object Detection: Eyebrows are very sensitive to touch, allowing us to detect the presence of objects and even living things like insects near our eyes before they can cause harm.

Evolution

• Natural and sexual selection: Eyebrows are thought to have played a role in sexual selection, as facial expressions, accentuated by eyebrows, may have been used to attract mates or effectively demonstrate emotions and moods. A study published in 2018 in Nature Ecology & Evolution that looked at why the superciliary ridges of early hominins were much larger and stiffer than those of modern humans revealed that having more mobile eyebrows likely helped our ancestors form relationships and ensure survival in groups.

In short, eyebrows are more than just aesthetic features and constitute a multifunctional evolutionary adaptation that aids in eye protection, interpersonal communication, and emotional expression.

10 Tips to take care of your eyebrows

Taking care of your eyebrows is important not only to maintain their aesthetic appearance, but also to ensure their health and function. By following these recommendations on how to care for your eyebrows, you can keep them healthy and looking natural:

1. Maintain proper and regular hygiene: Wash your eyebrows gently with warm water and a mild facial cleanser to remove sweat, dirt, and excess oils. Avoid rubbing too hard to avoid irritating the skin.
2. Moisturize your skin: Apply a light moisturizer or natural oil (like coconut oil or castor oil) to your eyebrows to keep the skin and hair follicles hydrated. This can help prevent your eyebrows from becoming brittle or dry.
3. Pluck carefully: Don’t overdo it, when plucking, waxing or threading your eyebrows, it’s important not to remove too much hair. Brows that are too thin may take a while to grow back, or not at all. It’s best to do this after a shower, as plucking is easier and less painful when the pores are open, which is often the case after a hot shower.
4. Consult a beauty professional: If you are unsure of how to shape your eyebrows, it is advisable to visit a beautician or eyebrow specialist. They can help you find the right shape for your face.
5. Avoid harsh products: Opt for gentle products and avoid using skincare products or makeup that contain harsh chemicals or fragrances near your eyebrows, as these can irritate the skin and damage hair follicles.
6. Take care of your diet: Following a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, can promote healthy eyebrow growth.
7. Stimulates growth: Many people use castor oil to stimulate eyebrow growth. You can apply a small amount with a cotton swab every night. On the other hand, gently massaging your eyebrows with your fingers can improve blood circulation in the area and encourage hair growth.
8. Protect them from the sun: Apply sunscreen to your eyebrows if you are going to be out in the sun for a long time. This will protect both the skin and the eyebrow hairs from damage caused by UV rays.
9. Consult a dermatologist: If you notice that you are losing a significant amount of eyebrow hair for no apparent reason, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist. It could be a symptom of a medical condition that needs treatment.
10. Turn to cosmetic treatments: when eyebrow hair loss is irreversible, you have several options: use pencils or brushes to apply makeup on your eyebrows on a daily basis or get micropigmentation or microblading, which are semi-permanent makeup techniques that allow you to correct or reconstruct your eyebrows.