Why You Might Need an Eyebrow Transplant

Written by: Dr. Carlos Puig

Modern surgery is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made and procedures are tested. One procedure on the rise is an eyebrow transplant or restoration procedure, in which the eyebrow hair is transplanted onto the patient’s face above their eye where their eyebrow should be, similar to a permanent hair transplant.

What Happens During the Procedure?

Because everyone has different facial attributions, an eyebrow transplant is delicate and can take time. The surgeon will shape the eyebrow and the hairs in the appropriate direction. Hairs go in different directions all over the brow, and the 50 to 300 hairs placed during the transplant are placed strategically. The transplanted hair is to fall out a couple of weeks after the procedure to give natural hair a chance to regrow in the first few months after the surgery. This hair should behave normally for a lifetime.

Am I a Candidate for an Eyebrow Transplant?

Eyebrow transplants are a great option for those who have lost eyebrow hair and struggle to grow it back. Some lose their eyebrow hair because of complications with their thyroid. Thinning eyebrows are a side effect of hyperthyroidism and aren’t guaranteed to grow back after the thyroid disease is treated. If eyebrow hair doesn’t grow back after a period of time after thyroid treatment, it may be time to consider a transplant.

Those who suffer from alopecia, or loss of head or body hair, are also available to consider eyebrow transplant surgery. Alopecia can also affect the eyebrows, though it is not as common. Other congenital problems can also stop the growth of eyebrow hair.

Burns, scars and infections on the face around the eyebrow area can permanently damage hair follicles. If you have suffered a burn or infection on the skin on or around the eyebrow and have not seen hair grow back since, you may be eligible to have an eyebrow transplant to replace what was lost. Tattoos can also do permanent damage to hair, as layers of the skin are basically destroyed as pigments are added.

Grooming the eyebrows too much or over-plucking can cause eyebrow hair to thin, take longer to grow back or not grow back at all. Over-plucking is not known to cause permanent hair loss damage to the eyebrow, but it can drastically slow the process in which a hair grows in the eyebrow area. If you find yourself plucking your eyebrows too much and notice a spot that is not growing back, it is advised to stop trying to groom the eyebrow and let it run its course. Eyebrows hair may thin or start vanishing with too much plucking.

These are not the only reasons why eyebrow hair may not be growing back. There could be an underlying medical condition, and hair loss could be one of the symptoms. If you notice your eyebrow hair is thinning or not growing back, it may be time to consult a doctor – especially if you can’t think of any risk factors that could affect the growth of your eyebrows.

Scarce and patchy eyebrows don’t need to haunt you any longer. You may be the perfect candidate for an eyebrow transplant that could change your whole image. If you notice your eyebrows have stopped growing hair, are starting to disappear or have started thinning out, consider looking into eyebrow transplant surgery to look and feel your best again.