Why Aren't my Eyebrows Growing Back

Why Aren't my Eyebrows Growing Back

Have you noticed that the hair on your eyebrows is not growing back? Thin, sparse eyebrows are a problem that affects many people of all ages and genders, and it's one of the most common aesthetic concerns. Sparse eyebrows can be the result of many causes, from ageing or excessive hair removal to the consequence of several conditions or diseases - first of all, you must identify the cause in order to start a suitable treatment.

If this is an issue that worries you and you are looking for ways to improve your eyebrows' appearance, pay attention. In this OneHowTo article we'll explain why aren't my eyebrows growing back and explain the possible treatments.

What causes hair loss in the eyebrows?

Compared to the hair on other parts of the body, eyebrow hair has specific characteristics. The most important of these is its growth pattern. It has been noted that eyebrow hair grows at a third of the speed as normal hair, so it needs a longer period of time to develop. In addition, as it is a short and fine type of hair, its root is usually lost and must be regenerated.

Hair loss in the eyebrows and thinned out areas are a problem that affects many people. It is necessary to identify the causes in order to initiate an appropriate treatment. So why aren't my eyebrows growing back?

  • Excessive hair removal: If eyebrow hair removal by plucking, waxing or shaving is excessive or too aggressive, it is very likely that it will grow back thinner and sparser in the future. When the hair is removed by the root it takes longer to grow back, and it will only grow back a finite number of times before becoming inactive.
  • Ageing: As one ages, the body's metabolism becomes increasingly slower. This is reflected in hair growth, including in areas such as the eyebrows. Moreover, the number of follicles significantly decreases.
  • Alopecia areata or spot baldness: This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, therefore causing hair loss. This may be reflected in any area in which hair grows, including the eyebrows. Other autoimmune diseases such as lupus can also cause hair loss in eyebrows.
  • Atopic or seborrheic dermatitis: Scaly skin conditions that cause skin rashes can affect the area of the eyelids, resulting in loss of eyebrow hair and eyelashes.
  • Injuries, as may be the case of impacts or burns in the area of the eyebrows.
  • Use of certain medicines such as those prescribed for arthritis, anticoagulants, contraceptives, those administered during chemotherapy, etc.
  • Stress and anxiety.
  • Other diseases such as hypothyroidism.

How to treat hair loss in the eyebrows:

If your eyebrows aren't growing back, first of all you must spot the cause. The treatment for loss of hair in the eyebrows will vary depending on that factor, so if you suspect that it may result from some kind of condition or pathology it is best that you put yourself in the hands of a medical specialist. This is the only way to establish an accurate and reliable diagnosis and know what is the most appropriate form of treatment.

These are the most common treatment methods recommended to combat excessive hair loss in the eyebrows:

  • Corticoid injections may be useful in cases of alopecia areata in the eyebrows.
  • Topical corticosteroids are a good option when the cause is atopic or seborrheic dermatitis.
  • Lantanoprost, a gel which is recommended for the treatment of glaucoma, has been found to work well to promote the growth of eyebrows in cases of alopecia.
  • Hair grafts on eyebrows, through which the repopulating of the eyebrows is achieved by using hair from other body areas, such as the neck or behind the ears.
  • Micro pigmentation of eyebrows: although this is not a method to regain lost hair, it camouflages the gaps by applying permanent make up. This usually lasts between 2 and 4 years, depending on the skin type and the products used.

How to help your eyebrows grow back naturally:

If your health is optimal and you simply want to grow thicker eyebrows you can also use some of the natural remedies we reveal in the following lines:

  • Castor oil: Apply a few drops of castor oil on the eyebrows at night before going to sleep and leave until the next morning. It also works well for the growth of eyelashes.
  • Vaseline: Apply a little petroleum jelly with a cotton swab and rub over the eyebrows before bed. It is ideal to keep eyebrow hair hydrated and conditioned. See more details in the article how to grow thicker eyebrows with Vaseline.
  • Rosemary essential oil: Dilute a few drops of essential rosemary oil in a little olive oil and apply the mixture on clean eyebrows. This oil is excellent to make hair grow much faster.
  • Aloe vera: Massage the area of the eyebrows with a little aloe vera gel and leave to act overnight. Aloe vera helps regenerate hair and accelerates its growth.

In addition to the above remedies, it is important to pay attention to your daily diet and include those nutrients that are favorable for the regeneration of hair, such as vitamins A, B3 and E, zinc, biotin and antioxidants.

And finally, remember that excessive hair removal can lead to your eyebrows eventually losing density and thickness. It is essential that you remove the hair properly and with appropriate methods. To facilitate this task, OneHowTo has useful articles such as How to pluck your eyebrows to suit your face and Common mistakes when plucking your eyebrows.

So this is the answer to "Why aren't my eyebrows growing back?" - if you have any more tips for better, thicker eyebrows, tell us all about it in the comments section!

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