An eyebrow transplant is a type of cosmetic surgery to make your eyebrows fuller. This is a permanent procedure that can last a lifetime. A dermatologist will move hair follicles from your scalp to your eyebrows. The recovery time is fairly quick, but it can take several months before you see results from an eyebrow transplant.
What is an eyebrow transplant?
An eyebrow transplant is a permanent cosmetic procedure to make your eyebrows appear fuller or to replace hair that’s been lost. A dermatologist will perform this procedure using scalp or hair grafts to replace your current eyebrow hair.
A hair graft is a type of hair transplant surgery where a dermatologist removes a small piece of your scalp, usually from above your ears, that can contain 2-15 hair follicles. Hair follicles are the tubes that grow your hair.
The dermatologist transfers the hair graft to your eyebrows. Once your skin heals after surgery, the hair on your eyebrows will look more pronounced, reducing the need to use makeup or an eyebrow pencil.
Who gets an eyebrow transplant?
People who’ve lost their eyebrow hair, have a faded brow tattoo or want fuller eyebrows may choose to get an eyebrow transplant. You might want an eyebrow transplant if you have a medical condition that causes hair loss like trichotillomania or alopecia areata or if you had an injury that affected your skin like burns or scars.
An eyebrow transplant is a permanent solution to make your eyebrows look fuller rather than relying on makeup to fill in your eyebrows. While the procedure is most common among women and people assigned female at birth, men and people assigned male at birth choose to have the cosmetic surgery, too.
Do eyebrow transplants work?
Yes, eyebrow transplants are a successful type of cosmetic surgery to improve the fullness of your eyebrows. The outcome of your eyebrow transplant depends on how well the graft “takes” - that is, how well the hair follicles accommodate to their new location. This can be influenced by your overall health and how you take care of your skin after surgery. It could take several months before you see results.
What happens before an eyebrow transplant procedure?
Before an eyebrow transplant procedure, you’ll meet with your dermatologist to discuss your goals for the eyebrow transplant. During this consultation, your dermatologist will:
• Examine the hair growth on your eyebrows and the location of a potential donor area of your scalp. A donor area is a section of skin with hair follicles on your scalp that your dermatologist will remove during the procedure to replace the hair in your eyebrows.
• Ask you about your medical history, your family medical history, your lifestyle and any medications you currently take.
• Discuss your expectations for the surgery.
• Advise about any potential risks or side effects.
• Explain what type of anesthesia they’ll use, how long the surgery will take and how you should prepare for surgery.
When you meet with your dermatologist , they’ll answer any questions you might have about an eyebrow transplant to ease your concerns. You should also plan to have someone drive you home after surgery. You may need assistance at home during the first 24 hours after your procedure, as you’ll need plenty of rest.
What happens during an eyebrow transplant procedure?
During an eyebrow transplant procedure, you can expect the following:
• You’ll receive an anesthetic that’ll put you to sleep so you won’t feel any pain.
• Your dermatologist will trim the hair of the donor area to make it easier to access. The donor area is part of your scalp that your provider will remove to transplant onto your eyebrows.
• Your dermatologist will remove the hair grafts from the donor area with a special sharp instrument, or a scalpel. The donor area is closed up with stitches.
• The hair grafts are put into place at your eyebrows after a slit is made in your skin to make room for the graft. After the graft fits into place, your dermatologist will stitch the transplant area together.
What happens after an eyebrow transplant procedure?
After your eyebrow transplant surgery, you can go home the same day. It’s rare to stay overnight in a hospital after an eyebrow transplant.
Your dermatologist will give you instructions on how to care for your surgical site(s). Some care instructions might include:
• Get plenty of rest after your surgery.
• Wear bandages until advised to remove them.
• Don’t participate in strenuous activities until your provider tells you it’s safe.
• Take pain medication as prescribed by your provider.
• Some stitches will need to be removed while others may dissolve after several days.
• Take care and use caution when washing your surgical site(s).
• Make follow-up appointments with your dermatologist to see if your skin is healing properly.
It’s normal for your newly transplanted hair to fall out a few weeks after surgery. This makes room for new hair to grow. It could take up to 6 weeks to several months before new hair grows from your transplanted area.
Do eyebrows grow long after an eyebrow transplant?
As the hair for your eyebrow transplant is from your scalp, it’ll continue to grow as it would if it were still on your scalp even though it’s now on your eyebrow. After an eyebrow transplant, you may need to regularly trim the hair of your eyebrows to keep the hair at the length you want it to be.
What are the advantages of an eyebrow transplant?
• A change to your appearance.
• Increased self-confidence.
• You no longer need to use makeup.
What are the risks or complications of an eyebrow transplant?
As with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks associated with the surgery that could include:
• Scarring
• Pain
• Swelling
• Infection
• Bruising
• Loss of feeling or some hair follicles at the surgical site.
Your dermatologist will discuss these risks and the possible side effects of the procedure during your consultation. If you have any questions about the procedure, make sure you bring those questions and concerns up with your dermatologist.
Is an eyebrow transplant painful?
An eyebrow transplant isn’t painful because you’ll receive general anesthesia so you won’t feel anything during the surgery. You may experience mild pain as your skin heals after the procedure. Your dermatologist may prescribe pain medication or you can take over-the-counter pain medication to relieve the discomfort.
Do people regret getting an eyebrow transplant?
Everyone has their own reason for getting an eyebrow transplant. You’ll feel more comfortable about your decision to get an eyebrow transplant if you:
• Make your own decision to get the surgery, and it isn’t influenced by someone else.
• Have realistic expectations about the procedure.
• Met with your dermatologist and you’re confident in their ability to perform the surgery.
If you have any hesitations before your procedure, talk with your dermatologist.
What is the recovery time for an eyebrow transplant?
The healing process for an eyebrow transplant is quick in comparison to other cosmetic surgeries. Within the first few weeks, you should be able to get back to light activities like working. During this time, your eyebrows should start to scab. It can be tempting to pick at these scabs, but avoid doing that because it can interfere with your healing.
Most people can resume any strenuous activities after several weeks at the discretion of their provider. If your activities cause your surgical site to bleed, swell or leak fluid-like pus, stop the activity and call your provider.
It takes up to 6-12 weeks before you’ll notice new hair growth out of the transplanted area. Losing hair from the surgical site is normal; this helps make room in your hair follicles for new hair growth.
When can I go back to my normal activities after an eyebrow transplant?
You may feel well enough after an eyebrow transplant surgery to return to work after a couple of days: however, everyone is different — check with your provider. Avoid strenuous activities like playing sports for at least 6 weeks.
How long does an eyebrow transplant last?
An eyebrow transplant is a long-term solution. Your results can last a lifetime.
When should I see a healthcare provider?
Visit a healthcare provider if you experience:
• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Blood or fluid (pus) leaking out of your surgical site(s)
How safe is eyebrow transplant?
One potential risk of an eyebrow transplant is that the new hair follicles won't take. In such cases, you may have to have the procedure done again in the future. There are also risks associated with the surgery itself.
Which is better eyebrow transplant or microblading?
Eyebrow transplants are preferred over microblading due to the extremely natural-looking eyebrows as the hair used is your natural healthy hair and also because of the permanent nature of the treatment.
Can you pluck eyebrows after transplant?
Once the transplanted hair grows in, you can style it as you would your natural eyebrows. That means you can use a brow comb to make the eyebrows look less unruly and can carefully pluck any stray hairs.
Does eyebrow transplant leave scars?
There will not be any scarring in the eyebrow area at all. The only minor scarring you will see is a small amount from the donor region, which will be practically unnoticeable and easily hidden.
Can I shower after eyebrow transplant?
For the first 8 days you can wash your face very gently with soap and water if desired (AVOIDING THE EYEBROWS). After the 8th day, normal face washing, showering, and mild exercise is permitted.
How do you sleep after eyebrow transplant?
The best position to sleep in after a hair transplant is on your back, with your head elevated above your heart. This will help reduce swelling but also prevent your head from turning and damaging grafts at night.
Can you wear makeup after eyebrow transplant?
We recommend to our patients that you can start to wear powdered makeup 2 weeks after the eyebrow transplant. We don't recommend that you use any sticky makeup on the eyebrows.
Can you go to the toilet during a hair transplant?
The surgery can last up to 6 hours. During the procedure the phone can be used and, if necessary, you can go to the toilet.
How many months for eyebrow transplant?
Often the procedure is repeated after 1 year to achieve a density as close to natural. The beginning of the growth of transplanted hair is 3-4 months after the procedure. Most grows 6 months after the procedure, and the full result is visible after 10 months. The result of the FUE eyebrow transplant is permanent.
What foods should you avoid after hair transplant?
Packaged foods containing various chemicals and large amounts of salt, sugar, and sweetening syrup, such as cake, cookie, margarine, chocolate, chips; sausage, bologna, and salami, should be avoided in the post-operative period.
Do eyebrow transplants look natural?
Proponents of eyebrow hair transplants note that the new hairs look natural because they're your own. The procedure may also limit the need for brow makeup. However, there are also reported downsides to this procedure.
Do you have to shave eyebrows for transplant?
In eyebrow transplant cases we only need to shave a small area so we can extract the hairs using the punch. So you don’t have to shave the complete back of the head.