Eyebrows serve a purpose. And it’s more than just cosmetic. While they do frame the face and contribute to the construct of attractiveness, there are other functions. Eyebrows play a key role in our expressions and aid us in communication. Additionally, they help us to recognize each other. A study in 2003 proved that eyebrows could be more important to helping us recognize each other than eyes are! They also help by keeping sweat and rain out of eyes, allowing us to maintain clear sight for longer than we would without them.
There are a variety of things that could lead to our eyebrows thinning out or disappearing completely. Genetics may determine the thickness, shade and even the shape of our eyebrows, but there are other factors that can affect their growth or lack thereof. Environmental factors, including over-plucking or threading or any other action that removes the hair from the root, will contribute to this. Medical conditions like alopecia areata and compulsions like Trichotillomania can also have an impact. Scarring from burns or similar trauma will make a difference.
For people with no eyebrows or those that are looking to have fuller eyebrows, an eyebrow transplant may be an effective solution. Prior to the treatment, the patient will meet with their surgeon to have the area examined and to discuss the desired results. The procedure involves hair follicles being taken from the area of the scalp of the patient – normally behind the ears or at the back of the head – and implanted in the eyebrows. With advances in technique, the preferred method of harvesting hair is the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). This method involves the removal of individual follicles to be transplanted.
The brow will usually take a few days to heal and following that, the hair that has been transplanted may fall out. New growth can take up to 3 months to show. Following that, there should be a visible improvement.
The duration of the procedure will depend on the significance of the area being treated and results are normally visible within two years.
While the results of eyebrow transplants are considered permanent, there are occasions where the grafts do not “take” and / or where the initial results diminish in time. In those cases, enhancement procedures may become necessary down the line.
