Thinning eyebrows are a common cosmetic issue that can occur due to aging, genetics, over-plucking, hormonal changes, or certain medical conditions. It can make a person appear older and affect their overall facial appearance.
Thinning Eyebrows
Thinning eyebrows refer to a reduction in the density or volume of hair in the eyebrow area, making them appear sparse or patchy. This can be caused by various factors including over-plucking, aging, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or medications.
Common Causes of Thinning Eyebrows
It is important to determine the underlying cause in order to effectively address and prevent eyebrow hair loss. Some very common causes of eyebrow hair loss are the following.
Aging
Aging is a natural process that affects all aspects of our bodies, including the hair on our eyebrows. As we grow older, our hair follicles undergo changes that can result in hair loss and eyebrows falling out. Hormonal changes are one of the primary causes of losing eyebrow hair as we age.
As women approach menopause, hormones such as estrogen and testosterone decrease, which can lead to hair loss. This is also the case for men, who experience a reduction in testosterone levels with age. Hormonal imbalances can also cause other issues, such as thyroid eyebrows disorders, which can further exacerbate the problem of eyebrow loss.
Stress And Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can lead to eyebrow hair loss, a condition known as trichotillomania. This can happen due to the physical manifestation of stress, such as repeated eyebrow hair pulling, or a psychological disorder where the person has an irresistible urge to pull out their hair. Stress can also affect the hair growth cycle, causing hair to enter the resting phase, eventually leading to hair loss.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutrient deficiencies can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being, including the health of our eyebrows. Some of the most common nutrient deficiencies that can lead to eyebrows thinning include:
- Iron: Iron is essential for producing hemoglobin, which helps carry oxygen to the hair follicles. A lack of iron can result in hair loss, including eyebrow thinning.
- B vitamins: B vitamins, such as Biotin and Folate, are essential for hair health. Deficiencies in these vitamins can cause hair loss and eyebrow hair thinning.
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium, vital for hair growth. A lack of vitamin D can lead to hair loss and thinning eyebrows.
- Zinc: Zinc is essential for hair growth and the maintenance of healthy hair follicles. A lack of zinc can result in hair loss, including thinning eyebrows.
- Protein: Protein is necessary for the growth and repair of hair. A lack of protein in the diet can lead to hair loss and thin eyebrows.
Pregnancy And Childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. This is due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, which can affect the hair growth cycle. After childbirth, hair loss usually resumes to normal levels within 6 to 12 months. However, in some cases, eyebrow hair loss may be permanent if the hair follicles are damaged.
Plucking And Overuse Of Makeup Products
Constant plucking or overuse of makeup products on the eyebrows can lead to hair loss. The repeated plucking of individual hairs can damage the hair follicle, making it difficult for hair to regrow.
Overuse of makeup products, such as eyelash and eyebrow growth serums, can also irritate the skin and damage hair follicles, leading to hair loss. To avoid eyebrow hair loss, pluck eyebrows sparingly and be cautious when using makeup products on the eyebrows. Over-plucking can damage the real women’s and men’s eyebrows shape.
Other Causes Of Thinning Eyebrows
Alopecia
Alopecia areata is a sickness where your own body’s defense system mistakenly attacks part of your body. This disease makes your hair loss is common. There are different types of alopecia eyebrows, like:
- eyebrows falling out alopecia areata, which causes hair loss in some spots.
- Alopecia is universal, which means you lose all your hair.
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia causes balding, scarring on the scalp, and loss of eyebrow hair.
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition characterized by dry, red, itchy, and inflamed skin. In severe cases, eczema can lead to hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. This is because the intense itching and scratching associated with eczema can cause damage to the hair follicles, leading to hair breakage and loss.
It is essential to seek medical treatment for eczema to manage the symptoms and prevent further hair loss. Some topical or oral medications may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and relieve itching. Additionally, gentle and non-irritating skin and hair care products can help reduce the risk of further hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to build up and form scaly, red patches. In some cases, psoriasis can also cause hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. This is due to the inflammation and irritation caused by psoriasis affecting the hair follicles. If left untreated, psoriasis can cause permanent hair loss.
Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with a substance that causes an allergic or irritant reaction. Eyebrow hair loss can occur due to contact dermatitis when the skin of the eyebrow area becomes inflamed and damaged. The hair follicles can become damaged and cause the hair to fall out.
Treatment for contact dermatitis related to eyebrow hair falling out typically involves:
- Avoiding irritants or allergens.
- Using over-the-counter creams and ointments.
- Seeing a dermatologist if the condition persists.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is also known as diffuse, meaning that it occurs evenly across the scalp, including the eyebrows. This can lead to noticeable losing eyebrows hair and may result in gaps or patches of missing hair. In some cases, the hair loss may be temporary and resolve on its own within a few months, but in other cases, it may persist for extended periods.
It is because a disruption in the normal hair growth cycle occurs when many hair follicles shift into the telogen phase, leading to a rapid shedding of hair. The telogen phase is the final stage of the hair growth cycle, where hair follicles rest and prepare for the next growth cycle.
Hansen’s Disease
Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, is a chronic bacterial infection that can cause various symptoms, including nerve damage, muscle weakness, and skin lesions.
In some cases, the disease can cause eyebrow hair loss due to nerve damage in the affected area. The eyebrows may thin or fall out entirely, and the skin in the area may become numb, leading to further hair loss.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells. One of the common side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss, including the loss of eyebrows. Hair loss caused by the drugs affecting the rapidly dividing cells in the hair follicles, leading to hair falling out.
The hair loss is usually temporary, and hair typically regrows after the treatment. To manage eyebrow hair loss, some people may use makeup or temporary tattoos to create the appearance of eyebrows or have permanent tattoos or transplants to restore their eyebrow hair loss.
Hypothyroidism Eyebrows
Hypothyroidism can cause eyebrow hair loss, as the condition slows down the body’s overall functioning, including hair growth. People with hypothyroidism may experience thinning or loss of hair on their eyebrows and other areas of the body.
In some cases, the hair may grow back once the thyroid hormone levels are regulated through treatment. However, in some severe cases, hair loss may be permanent.
How To Prevent Thinning Eyebrows
Maintain a healthy diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins to prevent eyebrow hair loss. Avoid over-plucking, harsh chemical treatments. Keep the skin around your eyebrows moisturized, and gently brush your eyebrows daily to stimulate blood flow. Limit eyelash curlers, and consider using a gentle, sulfate-free brow shampoo to maintain the health of the hair follicles.
Treatments For Thinning Eyebrows
Here are several treatments for eyebrow hair loss:
Minoxidil For Thinning Eyebrows
Minoxidil is a topical solution used to treat hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. It works by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and stimulating hair growth. It’s applied to the eyebrows once or twice daily and results can take several weeks to months to appear. It’s considered safe but must be used as directed to avoid skin irritation, itching, or redness.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy:
PRP therapy is a non-surgical procedure that involves extracting a small amount of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and injecting the growth factors back into the scalp. This treatment can promote hair growth and improve the thickness of existing hair. PRP therapy can also be used to treat eyebrow hair loss.
Microblading or eyebrow tattoos for thinning eyebrows:
Microblading involves enhancing the appearance of eyebrows by adding pigment to the skin’s surface. This process creates a more filled-in look. On the other hand, eyebrow tattoos involve injecting the pigment deeper into the skin, resulting in a more permanent outcome. A professional performs both procedures and can last several months to several years.
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Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are a type of medication that can use to treat eyebrow hair loss. They work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system, which can help to prevent further hair loss.
Corticosteroids can be applied topically as a cream or ointment or injected directly into the area of hair loss. They can also be taken orally in the form of pills.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture works by increasing blood flow and circulation to the affected area, stimulating new hair growth. It also helps balance the body’s energy levels and reduce stress, which can contribute to hair loss.
The selection of acupuncture points for hair loss treatment is tailored to the individual’s specific case and the root cause of their hair loss. The practitioner places the needles in specific locations on the scalp and faces to enhance blood circulation and encourage healing.
Antioxidants
Antioxidant supplementation is a popular way to treat eyebrow hair loss. Antioxidants protect hair follicles from free radical damage which can lead to hair thinning and loss. Commonly used antioxidants for eyebrow hair loss include vitamins A, C, E, selenium, and beta-carotene.
Zinc and iron are crucial minerals for promoting healthy hair growth, and may be present in certain antioxidant supplements. However, excessive intake of certain nutrients can be harmful
Bimatoprost
Bimatoprost, also known as Latisse, is a prescription medication used to treat eyebrow hair loss. It increases the growth of eyelashes and eyebrows by increasing the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle. This topical treatment is applied to the base of the eyelashes and eyebrows with a special brush.
Symptoms Of Thinning Eyebrows
- Reduction in fullness or volume of eyebrows
- Sparse or patchy areas
- Changes in shape or arch
- Short or brittle strands.
- Inflammation or itching of the eyebrow area
Thinning Eyebrows Takeaway
Thinning eyebrows can be a frustrating and noticeable issue. However, the right approach and guidance from a healthcare professional can effectively address it. Understanding the underlying cause of thinning eyebrows is crucial in finding the right solution. With the right approach and treatments, it is possible to restore fullness and thickness to eyebrows. Men’s eyebrows tattoo is a way through which many men try to hide their thinning brows.
FAQ’s About Thinning Eyebrows
Some questions about thinning eyebrows people mostly ask:
1. Why Do My Eyebrows Fall Out When I Rub Them?
Eyebrows falling out when rubbing is a common phenomenon caused by the condition trichotillomania, which is a type of hair-pulling disorder. This condition involves an uncontrollable desire to pluck the hair, including eyebrow, eyelash, and scalp hair. The constant pulling of hair can cause hair follicles to become damaged, leading to hair loss.
2. How To Grow Back Bald Spots In Eyebrows?
Growing back bald eyebrows can be a slow process, but it is possible. The first step is to identify and treat the underlying cause of hair loss. To encourage patchy eyebrows growth, it is crucial to maintain a healthy diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially biotin, iron, and vitamins B and D.
You can also use brow serums and other topical treatments that contain ingredients known to promote hair growth, such as castor oil and minoxidil. If the hair does not grow back on its own, you may consider eyebrow transplants or other cosmetic procedures to restore the appearance of your brows. Consult a dermatologist or aesthetician for personalized recommendations.
3. Why Are My Eyebrows So Thin?
There can be several reasons why eyebrows are thin. Some common causes include aging, hormonal changes, over-plucking, and certain medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, alopecia, and autoimmune disorders.