The medical term for eyebrow hair loss is called hypotrichosis. This is the thinning of hair or missing patches of hair in the eyebrows, and it can affect both men and women.
As people get older, it is normal for their head hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes to begin to thin. Gradually, some hair follicles will stop producing hair, and the hair shafts become thinner. This then leads to the ageing eyebrows that people often fear. The hair can also lose colour as it starts to turn white or grey.
Furthermore, the skin begins to lose its elasticity as we age, which can cause hair follicles to become brittle and fall out. This process can lead to your eyebrows receding or becoming patchy in appearance.
Reasons for eyebrow hair loss
It is not always the case that old age is the sole reason for eyebrow hair loss. It can be due to a variety of other reasons.
Hormonal imbalances
When someone has an imbalance of thyroid hormones, it can cause eyebrow hair to fall out or thin. Hyperthyroidism creates too much of the thyroid hormone in the body, whereas hypothyroidism does not create enough of the thyroid hormone. Both types of imbalances are linked to eyebrow hair loss. In fact, hormonal shifts is the main reason that eyebrow hair loss occurs in women over 40.
This type of hair loss is usually temporary, and the hair should gradually regrow.
Autoimmune conditions
Autoimmune conditions develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body cells. Healthy cells may be attacked, which can have a negative effect on the usual hair growth. This can lead to the thinning and loss of hair.
The types of autoimmune conditions that can cause hair loss are alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, and discoid lupus erythematosus.
Skin conditions
Healthy skin usually equates to healthy hair. Certain skin conditions can cause itchy, flaky skin rashes. This then leads to inflammation, dry skin, and rubbing or itching around the eyebrow area, which can then lead to your eyebrows becoming thinner.
Common skin conditions that can lead to this are atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Nutritional deficiencies
The body requires nutrients to create healthy hair. The type of nutrients you consume can have a deep impact on your hair growth and hair loss.
Fatty acid deficiency, biotin deficiency, and zinc deficiency are some of the nutritional deficiencies that can cause hair loss.
Medication side effects
Certain medications can also lead to hair loss all over the body, including the eyebrows. Such medications include acitretin, chemotherapy, and valproic acid.
The solution to eyebrow hair loss
There are a number of different things people try in order to stop the thinning of their eyebrows as they age. These include conditioning serums, tweezers, make-up, and microblading. All of these methods can help the thinning of eyebrows in different ways, some of which, like make-up, are a very temporary solution, whereas microblading can have a longer lasting effect.
However, if you require a permanent fix to eyebrow thinning, there is one solution that produces greater results. Eyebrow transplants are becoming increasingly popular, and whilst not as popular as head hair transplants, they are just as vital for some people.
An eyebrow transplant is a cosmetic procedure that helps restore eyebrows, creating a natural, full look. Whether it be eyebrow hair loss due to old age, or any other factor, eyebrow transplant surgery offers a permanent fix for the problem. Similarly to hair transplants, hair is taken from a donor area and transferred to the brow area.
Crown Clinic pioneered the introduction and success of eyebrow transplants in the UK. Our leading surgeon, Dr Asim Shahmalak, is one of the few surgeons in the UK that is qualified to carry out this procedure.
When to see a doctor
If you experience sudden or unexplained hair loss in the eyebrows, you may wish to visit a doctor to solve the problem.
Doctors can diagnose the cause of the hair loss, test for any health conditions that may be causing the issue, and offer advice about what the next steps should be.
Book an eyebrow hair transplant consultation with Crown Clinic
Here at Crown Clinic, we are heavily focused on providing the best quality service to diagnose your hair loss dilemmas and help you get the best possible treatment. From consultation to aftercare, you always have the opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions you may have with the experts at Crown Clinic. Make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Shahmalak at Crown Clinic to learn more about all types of hair transplant and your options.
You can also read some of our case studies to help you find out more about the hair transplant journey with Crown Clinic, from some of our past patients.