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Mikey Powell lacrosse red eye black LXM
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Mythbusters: Eye Black – Fashion Or Function?

A while back we did a little version of Lacrosse Mythbusters where we looked at the myth that traditional pockets are heavier than mesh pockets.  We showed that this is not always the case, and that traditional pockets can actually be lighter than mesh pockets in some instances.  So that myth was BUSTED.  And while we have a couple more lacrosse mythbusting posts up our sleeve, we also came across some research done by the REAL mythbusters, from television, and we’re curious to hear what you guys think!  The question is: Does eye black actually work?

The Mythbusters crew went with the assumption that eye black actually reduces glare by absorbing more reflected light than skin.  And they showed that when a player is wearing a hat, the eye black does actually reduce glare by the slightest amounts.

The idea that eye black would reflect less light than skin is an interesting assumption, but I’m not actually sure that is the goal of eye black.  I always thought eye black was used to keep sweat from accumulating under your eyes.  Evidently, someone on the Discovery Channel forums agreed with me. The idea being that beads of sweat would reflect more light than dry human skin.  And by putting on eye black, the sweat would roll off the cheeks more easily.  But maybe I’m wrong there, so feel free to correct me!

So our first question is, what is the point of eye black?  Is supposed to reduce glare?  Or is it supposed to keep sweat off your face?

And our second question is, why do you wear it?  Does it actually help you play better?  Or do you just thinkit helps you?  Or do you only wear it because you want to look like Mikey Powell?  And would eye red work just as well?

Mikey Powell lacrosse red eye black LXM
Fashion, Function or both?

We clearly still have a lot of work to do on this one.  Man, why can’t science be easy?  There is more Lacrosse Mythbusters on the way, but if you have a lax myth you wanted tested, send it in to us at info@lacrosseallstars.com!

Photo courtesy 24SevenLax’s KILLER LXM Pro Facebook Album.