Eyebrow Transplants: Costs and What Results You Can Expect

Eyebrow transplants have become more popular for celebrities and non-celebrities alike. Some do it for cosmetic purposes, while others do it because of underlying medical conditions.

This article will discuss everything about eyebrow transplants, their costs, and what results you can expect.

Are eyebrow transplants worth getting? Let’s find out.

What Is an Eyebrow Transplant?

An eyebrow transplant, also known as eyebrow restoration, is a cosmetic hair surgery done to replace lost eyebrow hair and make it look fuller. It helps patients who have naturally thin eyebrows or hair loss due to medical treatments restore their lost hair and regain confidence.

While applying makeup has been the customary countermeasure to sparse eyebrows, people are starting to look for a permanent solution to such an issue. As such, eyebrow surgery and eyebrow implants have become more popular and widely-accepted practices.

Eyebrow transplants are often successful cosmetic surgeries, but the success rate depends on how well the graft adjusts to its new location and your overall health. The full results of the surgery can also take a few months before the hair starts resurfacing.

Eyebrow Transplant Pros and Cons

What’s good about eyebrow transplants is that the transferred hairs all look natural after the procedure. After all, the hair used for implantation is extracted from your own donor area.

It also reduces the need to apply brow tattoos and makeup, such as pencils, tints, powders, and pomades.

As for the downsides of this cosmetic surgery, eyebrow transplants can be quite expensive, so it’s not something you can do on a whim. The newly transferred hair follicles also take a while before achieving a fuller look.

Lastly, while the transplant is generally deemed safe, it has some reported potential side effects and complications.

How Do Eyebrow Transplants Work?

Eyebrow transplants follow a similar procedure to your usual hair transplant. The individual hairs and follicles from the donor area (usually above the ears or on the nape) are extracted and transferred to your eyebrows to restore their growth.

Here’s a general overview of how the procedure usually goes during eyebrow surgery:

1. The plastic surgeon, cosmetic, or dermatologist analyzes your brow’s hair growth and the donor area to extract hair.
2. You’ll discuss any medical history, lifestyle, and expectations for the procedure.
3. Once the actual procedure starts, you’ll be given an anesthetic to minimize pain.
4. The surgeon will trim excess hair from your donor area for easier access.
5. The surgeon will cut a strip of hair grafts using a scalpel, then stitch the wound close.
6. The surgeon will create a small incision in your brow area to place the strip and stitch it together.
7. After the procedure, you’ll discuss any necessary aftercare precautions and possible medications to aid your recovery.

Once the eyebrow hair transplant’s done, you can go straight home and follow any home remedy instructions. All in all, the procedure lasts anywhere between two to three hours.

Is Eyebrow Transplant Permanent?

Yes, the effects of an eyebrow transplant last a lifetime and will no longer cause significant hair loss in the brow area. However, it’s worth noting that your lifestyle can affect how fast the brow regrows and recovers from the surgery.

Since the procedure often uses the patient’s own natural hair, it’s unlikely for the body to reject it once it’s transplanted. This also means it will yield permanent results after the recovery period.

Eyebrows make up a huge chunk of your facial features, so you can expect drastic permanent improvements after the restoration. You’ll also have the chance to discuss thoroughly with your surgeon the targeted design results and procedure to fit your wants and needs.

Eyebrow Transplant vs. Microblading

Microblading, also known as micro-stroking or feather touch, is similar to an eyebrow transplant, given that they’re both cosmetic procedures. However, the process itself is different since microblading follows a non-surgical process.

Here are the notable differences between an eyebrow transplant and microblading:

• Microblading is significantly cheaper than an eyebrow transplant
• Microblading only yields a semi-permanent result and can fade over time
• There are higher risks of infection in microblading
• The recovery period is significantly shorter
• Microblading can be a bit more painful
• The results are often instant after the procedure
• Microblading is more flexible in deciding the size and shape of the eyebrow

Both cosmetic procedures have certain advantages and disadvantages, so it all boils down to your preference. If you’re unsure of which to pick, it’s best to consult your trusted doctor or dermatologist.

How Long Is the Recovery Period After an Eyebrow Transplant?

The wounds from an eyebrow transplant usually close in two to three weeks if you follow proper aftercare. What matters is you avoid engaging in strenuous activities in those three weeks to hasten the wound’s healing.

Too much physical activity can cause it to open up and bleed, swell, or develop pus, so you have to be cautious. If any of these symptoms happen, reach out to your surgeon or doctor immediately.

As for hair regrowth, it may take 6 to 12 weeks before you see any visible progress. In some cases, it can even go for a few months or a year, depending on how well the hair follicles adjust to their new location.

Additionally, don’t panic if you notice some eyebrow hair falling out after a few weeks. It’s an expected behavior that usually means the surgical area is making room for new hair growth.

Are Eyebrow Transplants Safe?

An eyebrow transplant is generally a safe procedure as long as it’s being performed by a professional. Before you undergo such surgery, be sure it’s in the hands of a trusted and renowned doctor to ensure its safety and success.

Eyebrow transplants are expensive, and you wouldn’t want to spend lots of money on a procedure that may not work and cause more harm than it would help you.

Since you’re also the donor and recipient, your body is less likely to reject the transplanted hair. Overall, the surgery should be safe and has a high success rate if done by a skilled professional.

Potential Eyebrow Transplant Complications and Side Effects

As much as eyebrow transplants are deemed safe, they can have certain complications and side effects. These complications are the usual ones found in almost any kind of surgery. That’s why it’s important to discuss your medical history with the attending surgeon.

Here are some of the known complications and side effects of an eyebrow transplant:

• Nerve damage
• Eyebrow growth in different directions
• Excessive bleeding
• Risk of infections
• Misaligned eyebrows
• Hair loss on the surgical site

It helps if you’re following a healthy lifestyle to boost the success rate and minimize the risk of complications and side effects. You’ll need all the help you can get for your body to navigate its way through the entire procedure.

What Causes Eyebrows to Fade?

Similar to the hair on your scalp, eyebrow hair can also be susceptible to hair loss for many reasons. Knowing what’s causing your eyebrows to thin and fall out helps you and your surgeon find the appropriate treatment to prevent and reverse the effects.

These are the most common reasons why eyebrows experience hair loss:

• Alopecia areata
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Contact dermatitis
• Thyroid issues
• Stress and anxiety
• Overuse of makeup products
• Nutrient deficiency

The treatment for hair loss can vary depending on what’s causing it. Sometimes certain medications or food supplements will suffice to treat it. On the other hand, a hair transplant may be the best way to go in severer cases.

How Much Does Eyebrow Transplant Cost?

If you’re planning to get an eyebrow transplant, you have to brace yourself for how much you might have to spend. On average, we’re looking at around $3,000 to $8,000 per treatment, including some necessary medications. Sometimes it can even reach more than $10,000.

It’s a hefty amount, which is why it’s best to discuss your condition with a trusted doctor to know the best approach. These are some of the factors that can affect the total price of an eyebrow transplant:

• The cost of living in your area
• The procedure needed (FUT or FUE)
• How many grafts are being transplanted
• Potential travel costs
• Your surgeon’s skills and reputation
• Time spent at the facility
• Amount of anesthetics used

Eyebrow Transplant Before and After

Eyebrow hair thinning can be hard to hide from the public without the help of makeup since it sits right on your face. If you’re struggling with eyebrow hair loss, you’ll notice how thin it looks pre-surgery.

However, the results can be quite extraordinary after the transplant and recovery period. You’ll find significant changes to how your eyebrows looked before, and on top of that, it appears natural.

Once the follicles start to regrow, your eyebrows will look more defined and give your face a more expressive feature. You only need to do a bit of maintenance since it can grow longer than usual.

What Should You Do After an Eyebrow Transplant?

Following the proper aftercare steps are just as important as the procedure itself. You have to take note of the surgeon or doctor’s pointers to ensure a speedy recovery with minimal complications.

These are some of the usual care instructions you need to follow post-surgery:

• Steer clear of any strenuous activities for at least three weeks
• Get plenty of rest
• Don’t remove the surgical bandages until advised
• Be gentle when cleaning the surgical site, and reapply the necessary bandages
• Drink your pain medications as instructed
• Check with your surgeon after a few weeks if any stitches need manual removing
• Update your surgeon about the healing process to know if you need any follow-up appointments

Famous People Who Got Eyebrow Transplants

If you’re still wondering whether or not eyebrow transplants are a widely accepted procedure, you might be surprised how many celebrities have undergone such treatment. It might just give you that needed self-esteem to push through.

Here are some of the celebrities that may inspire you to do the same for your eyebrows:

• Chrissy Teigen
• Megan Good
• Jen Atkin
• Robin McGraw
• Amber Rose
• Erin Parsons

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing wrong or embarrassing about getting an eyebrow transplant as long as you have the means, and it can help your condition. Hair loss may not be a big deal to everyone, but it matters if it’s affecting your mental health and self-esteem.

Yes, it can be costly, but the effects last a lifetime. What matters most is the trust between you and your surgeon to ensure you’re making the most out of the procedure.