Find Out All About Eyebrow Hair Transplants
Medications, medical conditions, and genetics play a significant role in the amount of eyebrow hair that you have. While some people are born with a full set of brows, others struggle with always having to use cosmetics to make them look thicker and more noticeable. Aesthetics aside, eyebrows are essential — they protect your eyes from sweat, dry skin flakes, and debris. If you’re struggling with the way your eyebrows look or your eyes are paying the price of thinning eyebrows, an eyebrow transplant can help.
Who Are Candidates for Eyebrow Transplants?
In addition to those who are simply born with thin eyebrows, there are a number of other reasons you might want to consider undergoing an eyebrow transplant. Here are some of the most common:
- Tumors that have resulted in a loss of eyebrow hair
- Scarring that has inhibited hair growth
- Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss
- Trichotillomania, an overwhelming urge to pull out hair and often leaves eyebrows looking sparse
- Burn recovery for those with scarring that’s prevented eyebrow hair growth
- Hypervitaminosis A, toxic levels of vitamin A that cause eyebrows to fall out
What is an Eyebrow Transplant?
An eyebrow transplant is similar to a hair transplant. First, a cosmetic surgeon will take a plug (or a graft) of hair from your neck or ear area during the procedure. A hair plug contains the hair’s root and the follicle, and it’s then placed in a saline solution for approximately an hour. Finally, the saline-soaked plug will be transplanted in the eyebrow area. Since the surgeon will use a local anesthetic, you won’t feel anything as the hair plugs are transplanted.
Post Eyebrow Transplant Care
Unlike most cosmetic procedures, your eyebrows will be left uncovered instead of being bandaged up. This step allows your body to scab over as the healing process takes hold naturally. Although there may be slight bruising or discoloration, it generally lasts for less than a week. However, it is essential to take any medications, such as antibiotics and steroids, that your doctor prescribes and to use a saline spray a few times per day until healing is complete.
After the scabbing disappears, it’s normal for the transplanted hair to fall out — don’t panic. It takes around 3 months for new eyebrow hair to start growing. If you notice that there are patchy spots, it’s an easy fix. Depending on your doctor, you can have touchups or fill-ins anytime after the 9-month mark.
How Much Do Eyebrow Transplants Cost?
Every patient is different, and there are a number of things that can affect the cost of having an eyebrow transplant. Although the average price ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 dollars, the number of plugs you need to have transplanted, your insurance coverage, and your location all factor into the final cost.
If you have any questions, talk to your physician. Eyebrow transplants are not yet as popular as other types of hair transplants, but they can transform your appearance, make you feel more confident, and help protect your eyes.