Eyebrows, the short patches of hair above the eyes, play an important role in facial balance. They also help with the expression of our emotions.
In addition, they function to direct sweat/water away from the eyes while capturing dirt.
Because of different reasons, some people experience permanent eyebrow hair loss. Fortunately, they can undergo an eyebrow transplant to restore hair growth in the area.
Overview Of Eyebrow Transplantation
According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS), in 2020, eyebrow hair transplant was the third most popular hair restoration surgery among men and the second most popular among women.
So, both eyebrow transplant men and women are available.
The surgery uses the follicular unit extraction (FUE) technique for harvesting individual hair follicles from the back/sides of the scalp. These hair roots are then transplanted into the recipient areas.
To make sure that the patient doesn’t feel any pain or discomfort during the eyebrow restoration, local anaesthesia is given.
Different regions have different angles, directions, and densities of hair in eyebrows.
The central area is thicker and broader than the brow’s tail; the hair in the middle part is projected above and to the sides.
While the hair is straight up, right next to the glabella (the skin between the eyebrows), it grows increasingly lateral (sideways) as we move up and down the arch.
Therefore, the surgeon needs to be precise to ensure natural-looking eyebrows.
Moreover, the texture and colour of the donor area hair should match the eyebrow hair.
What Is The Eyebrow Transplant Cost?
In Turkey, the average cost of an eyebrow transplant is £1,300 (~$1,500). This price includes accommodation, transfers, surgery, anaesthesia, medications, and aftercare.
Compared to the UK, this is almost 3-5 times cheaper. That’s because, on average, a UK eyebrow transplant costs £4,000.
Prices can vary depending on the location of the clinic or if you’re being charged by the number of grafts. We, however, offer maximum grafts for a fixed price.
A lower eyebrow hair transplant cost in Turkey is possible due to the low cost of living and depreciation of the Turkish lira. It’s not because of low-quality healthcare.
Many eyebrow transplantation operations are performed in Turkey each year. As a result of a large number of patients, Turkish hair transplant surgeons receive, they are even more experienced than their UK counterparts.
Another factor reducing eyebrow implants cost is competition between clinics. Due to the large number of them, patients end up saving money.
Who Can Have Eyebrow Hair Transplant Operation & Why?
You are a suitable candidate for eyebrow hair implants if you:
- Have thin, uneven, sparse, or patchy eyebrows naturally.
- Suffer from trichotillomania – a hair-pulling disorder.
- Have permanently lost eyebrow hair due to physical trauma (burn, accident, injury, surgical scars, chemical/heat damage).
- Underwent chemotherapy/radiotherapy for cancer treatment or had a tumour removed from the eyebrow area.
- Suffer from an underlying medical condition (hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism and autoimmune disorders, such as alopecia areata or lupus)
- Have over-plucked your eyebrows to the extent that it has permanently damaged the hair roots.
- Have lost eyebrow hair due to frontal fibrosing alopecia (after the condition’s been stable for a few years).
Am I Suitable For Hair Transplant?
What To Think About Before You Have Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Before choosing the surgeon for an eyebrow hair transplant, you should ask them the following questions:
- What are their credentials and experience?
- How many eyebrow transplants have they performed, and for how many years?
- What is the complication rate and how did the surgeon treat complications in previous patients?
- Can you look at the surgeon’s portfolio and meet one of their previous patients?
- What is the overall patient satisfaction rate?
How To Best Prepare for Eyebrow Transplant
Patients need to make the following preparations before getting eyebrow implants:
- Discontinue anticoagulants 10 days before surgery to ensure normal blood clotting.
- Stop consuming tobacco products 1 week before surgery. In addition, stop drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs 3 days before the eyebrow hair transplant.
- Avoid getting any exfoliating facial treatment before the surgery, as it can easily irritate the skin.
- Remove any makeup or piercings over the eyebrows.
What Is The Procedure For Eyebrow Hair Transplant In Turkey?
First and foremost, the surgeon draws the new eyebrow shape to address the aesthetic concerns of the patient.
They take the face shape into consideration so that the eyebrows sit naturally on the face.
After that, the surgeon shaves the donor area whose hair follicles have a similar texture to eyebrow hair.
Since few hair follicles are needed, the donor area is small. If you have long hair, it may seem that the eyebrow grafting has taken place without shaving any of the head.
Using the FUE method, the surgeon extracts the individual follicular units with a micro punch tool, after which they’re stored in a saline solution.
Then micro incisions are made in the eyebrow area for implanting the new hair.
The surgeon will adjust the orientation and density of the follicular units across the different regions of the eyebrow.
The surgical time for an eyebrow hair transplant is 3-5 hours; it may be more or less depending on the desired aesthetic appearance of the eyebrows and the grafts needed for it.
Some patients may need over one surgical session to achieve their desired density.
Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants
We offer free consultations for patients across the UK & Ireland, so you can discuss your individual requirements with our specialists. Book A Free Consultation With Our Patient Consultants Today.
Recovery & Results Of Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Eyebrow hair transplant is an outpatient surgery, and you can return to your accommodation the same day.
You might feel some pain and discomfort following the surgery. Therefore, make sure to take your prescribed medicines.
A few days after the surgery, you’ll form scabs in the donor and recipient areas. Do not scratch, even when it itches.
It is normal for the new hairs on the eyebrows to fall out a few weeks after the transplantation.
Your eyebrow hairs will start growing after 3-4 months. You can see the final results after a full year.
Aftercare Of Eyebrow Hair Transplant
After the brow transplant, make sure that your head is in an upright position most of the time.
Even when lying down, elevate your head using pillows.
Do not conceal the eyebrows by applying any makeup on them. You also shouldn’t try hiding it in caps, hats or scarves.
Avoid all activities that make you sweat for 1 month.
If you have any piercings, you should not wear them back for at least a month as they can cause graft displacement.
You should only wash the eyebrow hair with special shampoo and lotion given by the surgeon. Do not use any personal skin care products.
Side Effects To Expect After Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Some patients may experience the following side effects after eyebrow transplantation:
- Crusts/scabbing
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Redness
What Could Go Wrong After Eyebrow Hair Transplant?
Physical trauma can permanently damage the implants. The displacement of grafts can also result in hair growth in the wrong direction.
Other than that, you may develop an infection. Make sure to follow the aftercare instructions and take your antibiotics.
What To Do If You Have Problems After Eyebrow Hair Transplant
An eyebrow transplant is a low-risk procedure.
However, if you develop any complications, immediately reach out to the aftercare team online. You can also call them.
Other than that, you can communicate your concerns to the surgeon via the Patient Relations Specialist.
Alternatives To Eyebrow Transplant
If you have significant scarring, suffer from an inflammatory disease or have a weak donor area, you are not a suitable candidate for eyebrow transplantation.
In this case, you can get micro-blading, where the practitioner creates hair-like strokes with tattoo ink. It gives the illusion of fuller brows.
Other Procedures To Have With Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Right after the eyebrow transplantation, you can get platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
The growth factors and proteins in PRP stimulate the healing process, which can help the newly transplanted hair.
You can also have other facial hair restoration surgeries with a transplant.
FAQ
How many hair grafts do I need for eyebrow transplantation?
It depends on the desired shape and density of the eyebrows. However, on average, patients need 200-400 grafts for each eyebrow.
Is an eyebrow hair transplant permanent?
Yes, the results of an eyebrow hair transplant are permanent. The hair may fall out temporarily, but it will start growing after 3 months.
Do I have to trim my eyebrows after transplantation?
Yes, you will have to trim the eyebrow hairs. How often you trim them depends on how fast your hair grows.
Keep in mind that do not use scissors on your eyebrow hair for at least 2 months after the surgery. You can use a trimmer after 3 months and a razor after 6 months.
Can I tweeze my eyebrows after the eyebrow hair transplant surgery?
Yes, but you can only start tweezing after 3 months. That’s because you’ll start growing normal hair around this time (after shock loss).
Does the doctor, clinic or hospital have insurance that covers eyebrow transplantation?
The surgeon performing your eyebrow transplant will have medical liability insurance. The clinic/hospital will also have malpractice policies in place to ensure your safety.
Will follow-up checks for eyebrow transplantation be offered in the UK, and who will do them?
You can have face-to-face consultations and/or checkup appointments with specialist surgeons in a London clinic.
Reviewed and Approved by Dr. Hassan Soueid.
