Eyebrow hair loss is much more common than most believe it to be and the prevalent question applies: does eyebrow hair grow back?
While there are many causes that may lead to eyebrow hair loss and the probability of growing them back differs on a case-to-case basis, it is still very possible. In fact, there are multiple remedies readily available on the market today that can speed up the hair follicle healing and regrowth process.
Below, we discuss the many ways you can promote eyebrow hair growth and get thick, healthier brow hairs sooner!
Does eyebrow hair grow back?
Yes, eyebrow hair can grow back. However, there are a lot of factors to consider that may either hinder its growth or prevent it altogether.
The biggest factor that can challenge hair regrowth is the root cause of it (no pun intended). For instance, if the reason for hair loss is an autoimmune disease or excessive plucking that has resulted in permanent hair follicle damage, then the chances of regrowth are lower. Not impossible – but lower.
However, if the reason for hair loss is due to temporary use of medication, aging, nutrient deficiency, extra production of stress hormones, or similar events, then there is still a good chance you can stimulate hair growth and regrow hair in a matter of months!
While it may be tough to get them back naturally, there are many ways to expedite the regeneration of hair follicles and promote healthy regrowth. It is important to keep in mind that growing eyebrow hair can take multiple weeks to start showing and months to fully surface from the skin.
Even though patience is a necessity, there are also other alternatives that can help mimic natural brows or cover up patchy and sparse brows while waiting for them to naturally fill in - we share our top option at the end of this article!
What causes eyebrow hair loss?
The most common causes of hair loss on your brows include:
- Aging
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Medical Issues
- Stress and Anxiety
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Excessive Plucking
If you want to learn more about each of the common causes, read more on our article: Eyebrow Hair Loss
How Long Does it Typically Take For Eyebrows to Grow Back?
It would take an average of about two to four months for eyebrows to fully grow back. However, some may see progress in as little as two to four weeks. The rate at which you can see results depends mostly on how healthy your hair follicles are, the steps you are taking to remedy the situation, and other factors.
What helps eyebrows grow back fast?
Growing back eyebrows can take time. For as long as you are consistent in your treatment and take the necessary precautions to keep the process going, they should grow back faster than usual.
Some of the precautions we suggest practicing to speed things up include:
#1 Putting down the tweezers
The very first thing you should do is to give your brows the chance to grow back. To support this, it is important to not tweeze, shave, or wax them while you are trying to get the growth cycle going. This not only ensures that your hair follicles are kept safe from damage, but it also gives you a better idea as to whether or not your treatment is working.
#2 Applying natural ingredients
By applying any of the following with gentle massage like strokes, you are stimulating and hydrating the area to promote growth naturally:
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lavender oil
- Olive oil
- Peppermint oil
- Castor oil
- Rosemary essential oil
#3 Or eyebrow serums
Eyebrow serums are applied similarly to the natural oils above. The main difference between the two is that eyebrow serums are not always 100% natural. Though they are infused with natural elements, they are specifically made with other types of ingredients to help stimulate eyebrow growth. Some of the most used ones include:
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
#4 Taking OTC or prescription supplements / medications
If the natural way isn’t making the cut, you can try medical alternatives. Because of just how common eyebrow hair loss actually is, many manufacturers now offer accessible medication to treat it. Some over-the-counter options include:
- Minoxidil, commercially known as Rogaine. You can find this in all leading drug stores
- Corticosteroids come in different variants and you may request for the one you can purchase without prescription.
There are others that have proven to be stronger, but need a prescription from a medical professional – preferably a dermatologist. These include:
- Corticosteroids of stronger intensity
- Bimatoprost, which is commonly known as Latisse
- Anthralin, which is an anti-inflammatory drug
#5 Improving your lifestyle
This is definitely easier said than done but it can do wonders for your health – hair health included! By ensuring that you get all the necessary nutrients per day and keep your stress levels at a minimum, you can help your body function that way it was meant to.
If you are having trouble incorporating enough nutrients in your diet or need to supplement them, here are some that help stimulate hair production:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- B-complex
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Amino acid L-lysine
How long will eyebrows grow back after shaving?
Shaving your eyebrows does not take the hair by the root. This means that you do not have to wait the entire growth cycle for it to break the surface of the skin again compared to if it was starting from scratch. Because of this, you can expect shaved brows to start growing out from the skin anywhere between four to eight weeks.
It is important to note, however, that shaving is not healthy for the skin. It can cause cuts, drying, scarring, and bumps. For these reasons, we do not recommend shaving your brows.
Do eyebrows grow back after plucking?
Yes, eyebrows can grow back after plucking so long as it is done properly and not too frequently.
Plucking, tweezing, or waxing your brows all do the same thing – take the hair out by the root. This means that each time you have them done, the growth cycle of that particular strand starts all over again. Sometimes, if the area has been plucked or waxed too frequently or aggressively, it can cause scarring and damage. This could potentially inhibit the follicle from producing hair again.
The full growth cycle of eyebrow hair
There are four phases to a hair growth cycle, each having its own contribution to how healthy your eyebrows can be.
Phase 1: Anagen
The anagen phase is focused on hair follicle growth. This typically lasts two to four weeks on average and the duration of which directly connects to how long the hair strand would be.
Phase 2: Catagen
The catagen phase is when the hair follicle starts to repress. This means that the lower part of the hair follicle experiences natural cell death in which there is a decline in hair cell division. This phase typically lasts two to three weeks.
Phase 3: Telogen
The telogen phase is known as the resting phase. During this time, the hair shaft matures into a club hair, which is the bulb of keratin found in the root of each strand. The bulb is meant to keep hair in the follicle until the next phase. This phase could take between two to three months.
Phase 4: Exogen
The last and final phase is called exogen, and it is also known as the shedding phase. This is when new hair starts to grow out and the old hair sheds to make room.
What to do in the time your eyebrow hairs grow back?
Growing back brow hair can take a toll on you, both mentally and physically. One of the best ways to have thick and natural looking brows while waiting for your own to grow is using temporary eyebrow tattoos.
Temporary eyebrow tattoos are a safe, affordable, and instant way to have new brows. They are not only waterproof and can last you up to 3 days, but they also look ultra realistic. Moreover, they come in 11 colors, 5 sizes, and 5 styles so that you can truly feel yourself with them on.
You’re All Set!
There you have it! Does eyebrow hair grow back? There is definitely a chance it could! For as long as you get the right treatment for your case and are consistent with it.
At the end of the day, it’s all about doing our best to feed our body with what it needs to function well and to seek professional help when times are challenging. If certain situations prove that brow hair may not grow back soon, there are always alternatives to help you feel and look like yourself again!