Eyebrow Transplant & Restoration
Eyebrows are a critical facial feature that helps to define the way we look. Due to their central position on the face, eyebrows serve to frame the eyes (the single most important facial element) and give insight into our facial expressions. Unlike the loss of scalp hair, the loss of one’s eyebrows is not viewed as a natural process and is, therefore, not cosmetically acceptable. Not surprisingly, we are seeing an uptick in demand for Bay Area eyebrow transplants.
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Eyebrows may be lost for a variety of reasons including thyroid and other systemic diseases, alopecia areata, burns, tattoos, infections, repeated plucking, congenital inability to grow eyebrows and a genetic tendency for eyebrows to thin, or disappear, over time.
Eyebrow restoration is similar to other hair transplantation procedures performed on the scalp, in that, for appropriate candidates, the transplanted hair is permanent. However, because eyebrows have their own unique attributes, eyebrow transplants differ from hair transplants in a number of important ways. In the fashion conscious, San Francisco Bay Area we have many patients – both male and female – who are looking for a Bay Area eyebrow restoration and eyebrow transplant specialist. Dr. Miguel Canales can meet with you, and after a consultation, explain to you your options.
Eyebrow Anatomy and Physiology
The direction of eyebrow hair changes dramatically in different parts of the brow. In the region of the eyebrow nearest the nose, the hair points upward. The hair across the top of the eyebrow points outward and downward. The hair in the lower part of the brow grows outward and upward. This crisscross growth pattern causes the hairs in the middle of the eyebrows to converge and form a subtle natural elevation running horizontally through the middle of each eyebrow.
The second distinctive characteristic of eyebrow hair is that the hairs emerge from the follicle at a very acute angle so that the hair grows flat to the skin’s surface. This is in contrast to scalp hair where the angle between the hair and scalp can be 45 degrees.
The third important feature of the eyebrows is that the hairs grow as individual strands, rather than in the 1- to 4-hair follicular unit grouping that are characteristic of scalp hair.
The fourth distinctive element of eyebrow hair is that the hair growth cycle is very short. This means that eyebrow hair will grow (in anagen) only for about 4 months before it enters the resting (telogen) phase and falls out. In contrast, scalp hair has a growth phase that can last 3 to 7 years, enabling the scalp hair to grow much longer.
Eyebrow Transplant Technique
The most important aspect of transplanting eyebrows is to follow the natural hair direction very closely. This entails very subtle angle changes to recreate the fan-like splay of hair at the medial aspect of the brow and the converging hair direction as one moves laterally along the brow. Most importantly, the recipient sites for the hairs should be made with a very fine needle or blade that literally slides along the surface of the skin as the sites are being made, as this will insure that the hair will lie as flat as possible on the surface of the skin as it grows.
Another important part of eyebrow restoration is that only individual hair follicles can be used. Since the scalp naturally consists of 1 to 4-hair follicular units, hair taken from this area must be divided up into 1-hair grafts using a stereomicroscope.
Cosmetic Results of an Eyebrow Transplant
Although eyebrow hair transplantation is a safe and cosmetically elegant procedure, there are a number of things to consider before undergoing this type of hair restoration. As with hair transplants to the scalp, the hair transplanted to eyebrows will continue to grow and must therefore be periodically cut. Besides being a minor nuisance, trimming the hair leaves a cut-end that is not as delicate as the fine-tipped end of an untouched hair.
In the process of healing, all wounds contract. As the recipient sites contract, they may slightly change their flat orientation and sometimes result in eyebrow hair that is slightly more elevated than one would like.
In contrast to hair transplants, where the donor hair is taken from another part of the scalp and matches perfectly, with eyebrow transplants the hair is taken from a part of the body other than the eyebrows and will thus have slightly different characteristics with regard to both growth rate and appearance. If they are different, then over time, the transplanted scalp hair will slowly begin to approximate the growth pattern and characteristics of the existing eyebrow hair – but it may never totally match it.
The appearance of an eyebrow transplant will mature over the course of a year. At that time, an additional eyebrow hair transplant procedure may be considered. During this interval, the eyebrow can be tweezed and shaped as needed. Every patient is unique so if you are looking for a Bay Area eyebrow transplantation specialist, reach out to Dr. Canales for a free consultation. Patients come to us from San Francisco to Oakland, San Mateo to Foster City, and everywhere in between looking for a Bay Area eyebrow restoration and eyebrow transplant experience. Call us today!
Questions and Answers on Eyebrows
Q. Why would someone need eyebrow transplant surgery?
A. People may desire an eyebrow transplant for several reasons. Sometimes eyebrows are too thin, patchy, or non-existent due to genetics or an illness like alopecia. People might over-pluck their eyebrows, and the hair never fully grows back. Even aging can create faded or patchy eyebrows. The result can make people feel insecure about their appearance; this is especialy true in “appearance” oriented cultures, like one might find in San Francisco, Menlo Park, or Palo Alto. The daily work it takes to use makeup to create eyebrows might be time-consuming. A person may seek a permanent result for no-fuss life-long eyebrow restoration. These are common reasons why men and women seek eyebrow restoration surgery.
Q. Do eyebrow transplants look natural?
A. A highly-trained hair transplant surgeon understands how to create natural-looking eyebrows. This type of transplant is specialized because there are many factors to consider during the process. The shape, texture, and angle of eyebrows can vary by individual. That means results can differ too. Although eyebrow restoration is considered “cosmetic,” it can dramatically change one’s overall appearance. Our Foster City-based clinic makes it easy for folks from Oakland, Pleasanton, or even San Jose to explore better eyebrows.
Q. What are the pros and cons of eyebrow transplants?
A. The apparent advantage to professional eyebrow surgery is bringing back a “normal” or natural look to a person’s face. The result can help people feel less self-conscious in social settings. Our clinic has found very few “cons” to this process. We will say if you need to restore or want to permanently improve your eyebrows, speak to a skilled and fully accredited surgeon. A “con” to eyebrow surgery could be choosing the wrong doctor. So-called “boutique” eyebrow surgeons may not have the proper training to create beautiful, natural-looking eyebrows for a lifetime.
Q. How long does an eyebrow transplant last?
A. Eyebrow transplants are designed to last a lifetime. Sometimes brows can fade or fall out, but this is usually based on individual situations. We want our patients to get receive the best value for their investment and do what we can to help advise how to care for your new eyebrows. We understand in order to avoid eyebrow loss, it’s vital to maintain a healthy and consistent grooming regime. People searching for an “eyebrow transplant near me” can contact our clinic for a free consultation. The SVHI clinic team will review your situation and help design a plan to help bring back thick and beautiful eyebrows.