| MadSci Network: Biophysics |
Any two different substances rubbed together will 'create' static electricity. One takes on a positive electron charge and the other a negative charge.
If an eyelash rubs a polycarbonate lens, it will pick up a charge, and the lens will pick up an opposite charge.
In answer to your ultimate question, "will this cause electrolysis of the hair follicle", the answer is no, for two reasons:
Reason 1, there is no current flowing through the follicle; as this is static electricity, there is no flow.
Reason 2, even if there was some flow, the amount of electicity is insufficient by 3 orders of magnitude.
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Biophysics.