Typically, in men, the loss or thinning of eyebrow hair is often due to hereditary factors. However, in women, eyebrow hair loss or reduction usually stems from various causes, including excessive weight loss, genetic factors, over-plucking, hormonal changes, and various skin or medical conditions, which are among the most significant factors contributing to eyebrow hair loss.
There are several options for improving the appearance of eyebrows, including tattooing, microblading, microshading, topical and oral solutions or medications, makeup, and eyebrow transplantation. The only method that permanently increases natural eyebrow hair is eyebrow transplantation; all other techniques are designed to use pigment to create the appearance of eyebrows without the presence of actual eyebrow hair or to temporarily promote eyebrow hair growth.
What is eyebrow transplantation?
Similar to hair transplantation, eyebrow transplantation is a permanent surgical procedure in which hair is taken from a donor area on the patient’s body (usually the back of the head) and transplanted to the eyebrow area. This allows the patient’s natural hair to grow, resulting in fuller eyebrows with a highly natural appearance, avoiding artificial pigments and tattooing techniques that fade over time and eventually look very unnatural. The methods used for eyebrow transplantation are the same as those for hair transplantation, performed with greater precision and care, and include:
✔ Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): A strip of hair (usually from the back of the head) is removed, and then individual or paired hair follicles are separated and transplanted to the desired area to form a new and improved eyebrow shape. The harvesting process in this method is faster than other techniques, and the harvested hairs are longer, which aids in eyebrow transplantation (longer hairs allow you to see the curl of the hair). However, it should be noted that this technique results in a linear scar, and the recovery time is longer. For women with long hair, the strip harvesting method is a good option since the scar at the donor site is well-hidden under the hair at the back of the head.
✔Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE): This method involves transplanting individual hair grafts extracted from the donor area using a manual punch or automated technique. The advantages of this method include the absence of a large, permanent scar and faster recovery. However, the FUE method requires a longer extraction time due to the individual harvesting of hair grafts. Since there is no incision at the donor site, there is no bleeding, and it does not require anesthesia, sutures, or hospitalization.
Eyebrow Transplantation Procedure
Eyebrow transplantation is a highly advanced hair transplant technique that, due to the precision and sensitivity required in the transplant area, should only be performed by skilled and experienced surgeons. When done correctly, it poses no risks and yields completely successful results.
Step 1: Eyebrow Design
Before the eyebrow transplantation procedure, you will have a consultation session with your specialist doctor to discuss your goals and expectations. The doctor will explain the advantages and disadvantages of Eyebrow transplant. During this session, you will determine whether eyebrow transplantation is a suitable method for you. The doctor will also provide recommendations for preparation before the procedure, inquire about your medical history and medications, and answer your questions. Together with your doctor, you will design your ideal eyebrows. By designing the eyebrows prior to the procedure, you can be confident that the results will be natural and satisfactory.
Next, your doctor will determine where and how the donor hair will be harvested and will generally explain the process and stages of eyebrow transplantation. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery, as you may need assistance at home during the first 24 hours following the procedure, as complete rest is required.
Stage Two of Eyebrow Transplantation: Applying Anesthesia
Most doctors recommend an oral sedative before eyebrow transplantation to help patients feel relaxed during the procedure. Unlike older hair transplant methods that required full anesthesia, modern techniques use local anesthesia in the eyebrow area and the donor site. You will remain awake during the procedure but will not feel any pain.
Stage Three of Eyebrow Transplantation: Graft Harvesting and Preparation
After the donor and recipient areas are numbed, the specialist doctor, with the assistance of the surgical team, harvests the donor hair. The follicles needed for eyebrow transplantation are typically extracted from the back of the head or behind the ears, though the best choice depends on the length of the individual’s hair. The reason for selecting the back of the head or above the ears is that the hair in these areas is resistant to hair loss and closely resembles eyebrow hair.
As mentioned, there are two main methods for harvesting donor hair: FUE and FUT. In the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method, the doctor uses a punch tool to individually extract hairs until enough are collected. In the FUT method, the doctor removes a complete strip of skin from the back of the head, and then the surgical team, using a microscope, separates the grafts from the strip and prepares them for placement in the eyebrows.
Stage Four of Eyebrow Transplantation: Implantation
In the final stage of the eyebrow transplantation process, the surgeon carefully places the extracted hair grafts one by one into the tiny incisions made in your eyebrows. During this stage, each hair follicle is meticulously implanted at the correct angle and depth to ensure they grow like natural eyebrow hair. As a result, most eyebrow transplant methods are long-lasting and typically take between 2 to 6 hours, though the duration may vary depending on the number of grafts, making the procedure potentially longer or shorter.
The surgeon will likely wait two hours after the procedure to ensure you are satisfied with the results and in good general condition. If you are not satisfied, they can make adjustments or add more hair to achieve the desired shape and volume for your eyebrows.
Stage Five: Observing the Final Results of Eyebrow Transplantation
Most individuals experience mild pain or discomfort after the eyebrow transplant procedure, for which the doctor prescribes pain relievers. The eyebrow area may appear red, swollen, or bruised for a few days, and small or large crusts may form around the transplanted eyebrows. If any of these symptoms occur, they typically resolve within a few days by following post-procedure care instructions. To avoid complications from eyebrow transplantation, you must take pre- and post-transplant care seriously, which will be explained to you by the doctor or their assistants on the day of the surgery.
Ideal Candidates for Eyebrow Transplantation
In general, eyebrow transplantation is ideal for two groups of people:
- Individuals with excessive hair loss or trauma (such as scarring).
- Those who naturally have thin eyebrows or have thinning due to a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism.
