The art of eyebrow aesthetic augmentation and restoration
15th January 2021
Eyebrows are a very prominent feature on the face and accentuate our expressions – making it easier for people to read how we’re feeling.
Over the years, eyebrow styles have changed dramatically from thin and rounded arches in the ‘20s, to arched and bushy in the late ‘50s, moving to thick and natural in the ‘80s and pencil-thin arches in the ‘00s.
In recent years, however, it’s thicker and bolder brows that have been held the highest esteem, which has given birth to procedures such as microblading and brow lamination.
It’s therefore understandable why those that are follicularly challenged may feel insecure. Yet, missing or thinning eyebrows is a common occurrence and can be due to many different reasons, such as over-plucking, alopecia, scars caused by facial injury or burns, or even from natural ageing.
Although a simple eyebrow pencil can help change the shape or mask some thinning of the eyebrow, for those after a more permanent solution, an eyebrow transplant could be something to consider.
Whether undertaken to improve the aesthetic of the eyebrow or augment its shape, or to reconstruct a missing or thin brow, eyebrow hair transplants require a lot of precision and knowledge regarding anatomy, designing of brows, extraction and implantation techniques, to achieve a natural look.
Eyebrow hairs don’t all sit in the same direction – some face slightly upwards, some down, all combining into a herringbone pattern. Therefore, it takes a somewhat artistic flare to recreate this during a transplant procedure.
Hair follicles are inserted at specific angles to ensure that, overall, the natural herringbone pattern is generally preserved. The surgeon needs to consider both the direction of hair growth (towards or away from the eye) and the angle of lift of the hair as it grows away from the skin. This level of precision is crucial to ensure a natural finish that will not be noticed and will enhance the face.
For those wondering where the hair is transplanted from, it’s most commonly taken from a small area of the scalp at the back of the head.
On average, a typical procedure involves 400 transplanted grafts, although this can vary between patients, and takes around three to four hours to complete. However, it will take around six months for the new strands of hair to fully settle and to look their best.
One important thing to note is that as hair from the scalp grows more quickly than the eyebrow, you will have to trim your eyebrows lightly each week or two, to keep them in tip-top condition.
If you’re interested in learning more about eyebrow augmentation or restoration and want some expert advice, our team are happy to talk through your options.
