Eyebrow Bald Spot: Possible Reasons & Fixes You Can Try Out
One’s eyebrows hold a lot of roles. They not only help shape the eyes but also promote the softening of cheekbones. Eyebrows, depending on how they are shaped, can also add a little more personality to your overall appearance.
However, it is fairly normal to have an eyebrow bald spot for various reasons. Eyebrow bald spots can vary in size, which can affect how you look and feel about yourself. Below, we discuss the most common reasons for having an eyebrow bald spot, and what you can do to remedy your brow hair.
Common Reasons for An Eyebrow Bald Spot
While there are, of course, multiple other reasons that can contribute to eyebrow bald spots, the following are the most common causes:
1. Alopecia areata
Alopecia Areata is a disease that progresses when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. This is possible in any body part and often affects the head and face. The attack leads to hair loss. This disease is not contagious and can’t spread to others.
Those that develop alopecia areata will notice a round or oval-shaped bald spot in the affected area. It is important to note that it is possible to live a good, healthy life with the disease. Alopecia Areata usually starts in the childhood or teenage years, and few people experience its early development in adulthood. In some instances, hair can grow back without any intervention.
2. Male or Female Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness starts in the frontal area and recedes to the back. The loss of hair continues until they are bald. With female pattern baldness, it begins at the part line and slowly widens all over. Moreover, hair along the temples recedes.
There may be varying causes for male and female pattern baldness. For women, it is usually hereditary, with age and hormones also playing a huge role. Female pattern baldness is most common in women who have gone through menopause since their estrogen levels significantly reduce. For men, it can happen at any stage in life and usually start at the hairline. It is often caused by genetics and androgens, a sex hormone that regulates hair growth.
3. Madarosis
Madarosis specifically pertains to the loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. It is described as the elimination of hair follicles and a symptom of various local or systemic disorders. Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections cause it.
Madarosis can affect either only one side of the face or both sides. The disorder can cause either complete or partial hair loss and be non-scarring or scarring. One experiences a non-scarring version because the internal hair structures are intact, which makes regrowth possible.
4. Telogen effluvium
Telogen effluvium often begins as thinning on the top of the head. The cause is often severe stress or an abrupt change to the body, such as a high fever, childbirth, infections, major surgery, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, medication, and more.
The telltale signs that one has telogen effluvium are more hair strands on your hairbrush, pillow, or shower drain, thinning hair, or hair falling out easily. Apart from these, your scalp can look healthy without any signs of a rash, itching, burning, or even pain.
5. Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis causes scaly patches, inflamed skin, and dandruff. It is a skin condition that often only affects the oil-prone parts of the body, including the face, nose, eyebrows, ears, and chest. It can be itchy but is not contagious.
This skin condition does not cause permanent hair loss and may naturally alleviate without any treatment. However, it may still help to utilize medicated shampoo or other products that help in preventing flare-ups. The answer to why seborrheic dermatitis develops is unclear; however, it has been linked to Malassezia (yeast), excess oil, or issues with one’s immune system.
What can you do to Fix Eyebrow Bald Spots?
No matter the cause of your eyebrow bald spot, there are a variety of remedies you can try to either cover up the affected area or promote hair regrowth. Check out our top 12 fixes below:
1. Fake or Temporary Eyebrow Stickers
Temporary eyebrow stickers are one of the fastest and easiest ways to get real-looking brows. They work similarly to the nostalgic water-based tattoos we enjoyed as kids, except this time, they are helping solve a genuine issue.
These eyebrow stickers can simply be positioned on your face, dabbed with a wet cloth, and once the paper is removed, you instantly have your new brows in place. It is better because they come in various sizes, styles, and colors to suit your preferences and needs. Each pair of brows features an ultra-realistic 3D look through hundreds of intricately hand-crafted strokes that mimic brow hair. Additionally, these are waterproof, resistant to scratches, and last up to a whole week, depending on your activities and skin type.
2. Minoxidil (Rogaine) for restoring hormone-stunted growth
Minoxidil, better known as Rogaine, is a topical solution that anyone can purchase OTC (over the counter). While made to promote hair regrowth in both men and women, it is not a guarantee.
It works by widening the blood vessels where it is applied, allowing a steady flow of blood to the hair follicles and promoting hair growth. The solution comes in two different strengths, 2%, and 5%, with a recommendation of only 1ml to be applied twice daily. It also comes in foam form, with the dosage being similar.
3. Corticosteroids for treating alopecia areata and other inflammatory conditions
Corticosteroids are commonly known as steroids and are made to provide anti-inflammatory effects. They come in various forms, including injections, creams, lotions, shampoos, and oral tablets.
These are often used for hair loss caused by an autoimmune disease, not those due to hormones. Treatments using steroids may happen throughout 4 to 10 weeks, depending on one’s condition. On average, those utilizing these steroids should expect to see hair regrowth start by the first or second month of treatment. If there are no signs of hair regrowth by the sixth month, then the treatment may not be compatible with your condition.
4. Topical, contact-sensitizing chemicals for inducing hair growth
Topical, contact-sensitizing chemicals promote a change in the immunochemical system. With exposure to such chemicals, our bodies can experience an allergic reaction, which may prompt the desired effect, which is hair growth.
This process is often referred to as hypersensitivity. While regrowth is possible for some who utilize this treatment, it is also essential to note that it usually induces rashes.
5. Acupuncture for relieving alopecia areata
Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and originates from China. Practitioners use acupuncture to treat multiple illnesses – back pains, headaches, and even hair loss.
A professional penetrates multiple thin needles into specific points around the body with each acupuncture session. According to the acupuncturist, these points correspond to the source of your ailments.
Once they insert the needles, it stimulates the nerve-rich areas, which include the skin, tissues, and glands, to stimulate blood flow. The combination stimulates hair follicles and encourages regrowth.
6. Castor oil for hair growth
While there are no pivotal studies to support the idea that castor oil promotes hair growth, there have been many success stories to back it up. It may stimulate growth due to the natural antiviral and antimicrobial properties that it carries and distributes throughout the system.
Those who have utilized this method claim only to apply castor oil once a month, which then induces growth spurs up to three times the average rate.
7. Anthralin for treating eyebrow hair loss caused by an inflammatory process
Anthralin is naturally derived from anthraquinone, an active, organic component found in multiple plants. While anthralin is more commonly used for those living with psoriasis, it is proven to help promote the regrowth of eyebrow hair.
It comes as a topical cream and is typically applied once daily or as directed by your medical physician.
8. Nutritional supplementation for treating hair loss
Many nutrients can help treat hair loss, including:
- Vitamin B6, folic acid, and Vitamin B12 promote the proper inception of red blood cells, which then carry oxygen to the hair.
- Vitamin B7 (biotin) helps promote healthy hair, skin, and nails.
- Iron is necessary for the red blood cells to carry oxygen. You can be prone to fatigue, pale skin, and hair loss without ample iron levels in the circulatory system.
- Vitamin C is vital for gut absorption, which helps in the processing of iron within the system.
- Low levels of Vitamin D are also linked to hair loss.
- Zinc promotes the creation of protein within your hair and other cells.
9. Hormone-disruption medications prescribed by an endocrinologist
If hormone disruptions cause your hair loss, an endocrinologist would most likely prescribe medications as treatment. These prescriptions are often thyroid-stimulating hormones, estrogen, or testosterone. By supplementing these necessary hormones, your body can produce hair as it usually would naturally.
10. Eyebrow transplant restoration
If you have ever heard of a scalp hair loss replacement, then an eyebrow transplant restoration is just about the same concept. This process involves removing a section of your skin from an area with ample hair. Once the skin’s removed, the medical professional will start transplanting hair follicles to the problematic areas where your brows are sparse.
11. Bimatoprost (Latisse) for extending hair growth cycles
Bimatoprost, more commonly known as Latisse, is produced to treat telogen effluvium and other hair loss conditions. It extends the hair growth cycles, allowing hair more time to grow long. It is known to be effective in eyelashes, but more so in eyebrows.
12. Permanent makeup and microblading
Another permanent or semi-permanent way of handling hair loss within the eyebrows would be to have permanent makeup or microblading sessions. When it comes to permanent makeup, the eyebrows are tattooed on the skin and are there to last a lifetime. However, it is normal for the eyebrows to fade gradually over time, which is why maintenance and retouches are necessary.
Mircoblading, on the other hand, is a less permanent method, but it can last between 18 to 30 months. The lifespan of your microbladed brows will depend mostly on your skin type and lifestyle.
13. Eyebrow Stamps and Stencils
One of the newest and most sought-after brow tools in the market today are Eyebrow Stamps and Stencils. By simply aligning your chosen stencil to your brow line, twisting the applicator stamp, and dabbing it within the stencil, you can instantly get realistic brows in under a minute. The kit also comes with a spoolie to blend in the product for a an even more natural look.
FAQs
1. How do I fix bald spots on my eyebrows naturally?
Natural ways to fix an eyebrow bald spot include taking nutritional supplements, using oils or plant-based topical solutions, or booking acupuncture sessions.
2. Is it normal to have a bald spot on your eyebrow?
Yes, hair loss in your eyebrows is quite common. Hair loss can be due to several reasons that do not necessarily mean regrowth is not possible anymore.
3. Can eyebrow loss hair spots grow back?
This mostly depends on the cause of hair loss in the first place. It may be challenging to stimulate hair growth due to medical conditions or genetics. However, there are various methods you may try. It will boil down to figuring out which best suits you and your body.
You’re All Set!
While thinning or diminishing eyebrows can be physically and emotionally draining, there are many ways to remedy an eyebrow bald spot. Now that you know the most common causes and the 13 best ways to fix them, you can get fuller and healthier-looking brows in no time