Woman with world's longest eyelashes says doctors 'can't explain' bizarre phenomenon

A woman with the world's longest eyelashes has spoken out about why she thinks they've ended up so long.

You Jianxia, from China, has held - and has since beaten her own - world record for having the longest eyelashes in the world.

Back in 2016, they were measured at 12.40cm, but they still didn't stop growing.

Then five years later, they had grown an incredible 8.10cm longer, measuring in at 20.5cm in total, meaning she still holds firmly onto the world record.

All of Jianxia's eyelashes are long, but the longest eyelash of them all was found on the upper eyelid of her left eye.

"I first realised that my eyelashes were growing in 2015. They continue to grow slowly, becoming longer and longer," she explained when speaking to the Guinness World Records.

"I did visit medical professionals to find out why my eyelashes are longer than others people's eyelashes.

"The doctor couldn't explain this, and he felt it was really amazing.

"I also tried to find scientific reasons such as genes or something else. However, none of my family have long eyelashes like me, so it can't be explained."

Despite how long her unique eyelashes are, Jianxia says that they don’t impact her life on a day-to-day basis and that they save time when she's applying makeup.

"Thanks to my naturally long eyelashes, I don't need to wear eyeshadow or eyeliner," she said. "My natural long eyelashes act as the long eyeliner.

"In my daily life, my eyelashes don't bring any concerns or difficulties. Just lots of joys. Only joys, no trouble."

Instead, You Jianxia believes her long eyelashes may actually be down to divine intervention and not science. She believes that they could be a gift given to her by the Buddha.

"I kept thinking about why I have such long eyelashes, then I remembered that I had spent over 480 days in the mountain, years ago," she previously said.

"So, I told myself that my eyelashes must be a gift given by the Buddha."

Whatever the reason was for You Jianxia’s long eyelashes, she believes the record-breaking feature and differences should be celebrated.

"I would like to say to other people who have unique beauties, let us rejoice together and encourage happiness," she added.