Why Are my Eyebrows Falling Out: Most Common Reasons

As we age, it is natural for both men and women to experience hair loss. This can affect not only the hair on the scalp but those along the eyelashes and eyebrows as well. However, age is not the only factor when it comes to hair loss, or even thinning hair. There could be other reasons that are, more often than not, highly treatable.

Especially if the reason behind the hair loss is related to a medical condition, it is best to seek a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.

This article focuses on the many possible reasons that contribute to eyebrows falling out and provides a list of common solutions that have proven to work over time.

Possible Reasons for Eyebrows Falling Out:

Usually, eyebrows falling out is a clear sign that there is an imbalance in your system and that there are changes to be made regarding your health. Below, we discuss the numerous medical conditions that could lead to eyebrow hair loss.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is a type of autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack your own body by targeting the hair follicles. Since the hair follicle is where each strand of hair grows, this can result in the slowing down of hair production or stopping growth altogether.

Despite alopecia areata being relatively common, doctors are still unsure what triggers the episodes in which the immune system starts its attack. However, when Alopecia areata is inactive, hair production can function as usual and eyebrows can definitely start to grow back.

In times between episodes, when your eyebrows have patches, it is great to use temporary tattoo stickers to cover up while your hair follicles recover.

Nutrient deficiencies

For the human body to work efficiently, it needs to be fed a good amount of varying nutrients. One of the benefits of having enough nutrients flowing through our system is that it can promote and sustain a healthy amount of hair growth.

Apart from the mainstays of good carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and amino acids, it is also important to load up on the following to prevent hair loss:

• Vitamin A and C
• Zinc
• Biotin
• Iron
• Vitamins E, B-12, and D
• Cysteine
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Eczema can cause itching, redness, pus, and irritation due to inflammation of the skin. It is triggered by a highly sensitive immune system. In some, it can be a one-time episode, while others may live with an ongoing condition.

Because it targets the skin, which is where hair follicles are embedded, this condition indirectly affects hair production.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is another type of autoimmune disease. This condition causes skin cells to multiply at a rapid rate, resulting in red, thick, scaly, and aching patches. These patches, in turn, block hair follicles and halt hair production.

Contact dermatitis

Coming into contact with either an allergen or a toxic irritant causes this condition. Not only does it hinder hair growth, but it also gives off an itchy and oftentimes burning sensation.

Seborrheic dermatitis

It is believed that this type of dermatitis is caused by either a fungus or an overproduction of oil within the skin, and it often also leads to dandruff.

Tinea capitis (ringworm)

This condition is more commonly known as ringworm. This fungal reaction produces red, itchy, raised patches in the shape of a ring. It often comes with blisters and pus. These can appear almost anywhere in the body, but when it manifests along the brows, it usually leads to hair loss and bald spots.

Thyroid issues

The thyroid gland produces hormones that are meant to regulate the body’s metabolism. If there are health issues, the thyroid can end up producing either too few or too many hormones, which then causes imbalances in the system. Apart from fatigue, heart palpitations, weight fluctuations, and brain fog, another potential side effect of hormonal imbalances is hair loss.

Hansen’s disease

This disease is also known as leprosy and is caused by bacteria. It can manifest as sores that spread throughout the skin. Apart from the sores, other side effects include numbness, weakness, and hair loss. While this condition is widespread across various countries, it is not common within the United States.

Stress and anxiety

While stress and anxiety are not exactly physical ailments, they do cause physiological changes. When the body produces too many stress hormones, oxygen within the systems is reduced, which in turn results in a shortened oxygen supply that’s available to the hair follicles. This process also creates fluctuating hormone levels, which can contribute to thinning eyebrows.

Pregnancy and childbirth

Without question, pregnancy and childbirth take a toll on the body. Not only does it affect the mother physically, but it can also create a major imbalance in hormones. These fluctuations then disrupt the normal hair growth cycle and may promote hair loss, especially postpartum.

Telogen effluvium

TE is considered the second most common type of hair loss and it happens when there is a shift in the number of productive hair follicles.  The cause of this shift is an interrupted hormonal cycle and this condition is often not permanent.

Aging

As mentioned, aging is a huge factor in hair loss in both men and women. It typically starts when people hit their 40s since the levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men start to decrease by a significant amount.

Persistent plucking or overuse of makeup products

While this is not a medical condition, too much plucking can cause physical trauma to your hair follicles. When done regularly, the affected areas may stop producing hair. Similarly, makeup made of harsh ingredients can also cause damage with persistent usage.

Chemotherapy

It is universally known that chemotherapy has a significant impact on hair growth. The treatment is designed to divide cells at a rapid pace, which affects the hair follicles. For this reason, cancer patients may notice hair falling out in large clumps.

Why are my eyebrows falling out?

As evident in the list above, there are many possible reasons that contribute to eyebrows falling out. It can be because of a minor infection, medical condition, skin issues, changes in your hormonal cycle, an overactive immune system, physical trauma to your skin, stress, nutritional deficiency, aging, and much more.

Oftentimes, hair loss or thinning of the hair is not permanent. Especially if diagnosed in the early stages, there are numerous effective treatment methods that can help combat the causes.

Moreover, there are also multiple cover-ups to help mimic natural brow lines while you undergo treatment. One of the easiest, fastest, and most natural ways is by getting temporary eyebrow tattoo stickers.

What deficiency causes eyebrows to fall?

The food and drinks we nurture our system with have much more important roles than just keeping us well-fed. It is important that our daily meals are packed with the right amount of nutrients to sustain our overall health. When there is a deficiency in one or multiple, imbalances and malfunctions in our systems can occur - including the deficient production of hair.

Some of the deficiencies that specifically affect hair growth include:

• Vitamin A and C
• Zinc
• Biotin
• Iron
• Vitamins E, B-12, and D
• Cysteine
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Can I get my eyebrows to grow back? 

This mostly depends on the main cause of your eyebrows falling out. However, most if not all cases can be fixed with a disciplined treatment plan. We highly advise seeking a diagnosis in order to narrow down your treatment options and find a solution fast. The most common ways to grow eyebrows back are:

• Over-the-counter topical medication such as Minoxidil
• Prescription medication such as Corticosteroids
• Acupuncture
• Castor oil
• Nutritional supplements and/or an improved diet

Those that are still in the process of growing back eyebrows can try makeup made of natural ingredients or temporary tattoo stickers.

You’re All Set!

Eyebrows falling out can be stressful, and it is normal to feel uneasy once you notice eyebrow thinning. There are many possible reasons for eyebrow loss, many of which are only temporary. With the right diagnosis and treatment methods, it is possible to get hair to grow back.

However, in some cases, where it may take more time or multiple trials to get the methods to work, alternatives such as temporary tattoo stickers are around to keep you looking impeccable. Convenient, affordable, and available in a variety of colors and styles to mimic your natural hair, they are designed to make you feel like your old self again!