If you have ever over experimented with your brow hair at a young age, you would know all too well just how much of a challenge it can be to grow them back. Both adolescents and middle-aged individuals exploring the world of grooming may experience scarcity of hair one too many times.
We’re here to tell you that more often than not, it isn’t temporary. Moreover, if you find yourself pressed for time to grow your brows back, we offer a few easy and affordable solutions!
It is important to note that how long eyebrows take to grow back vary from person to person. There are many factors that can either slow down or speed up your hair growth rate, including genetics, health, method of hair removal, and others play a key role in the entire process.
Below, we discuss all you need to know about eyebrow regrowth, including science-backed ways to speed things along, best practices, and our go-to instant fixes!
How long do eyebrows take to grow back?
It can take an average of two to four months for a full regrowth on your eyebrows. For some, you may start to see some growth through your skin in as little as 2 to 4 weeks, but exactly how fast eyebrows grow depends on how healthy your hair follicles are, among other factors.
How long does it take for over plucked eyebrows to grow back?
Consistent over plucking of the eyebrows can lead to follicle damage. This is why it is the most common cause of eyebrow hair loss today and can also mean either a longer wait time to regrow eyebrows or the need for treatments to stimulate hair growth.
A study by Dr. Jennifer Nguyen MD from the University of Pennsylvania highlights the 4 phases of healthy eyebrow growth. This explains that it can take two to four months for your brow growth cycle to restart, only if the follicles are active and healthily producing.
How Long Do Eyebrows Take To Grow Back After Waxing?
Waxing, similar to plucking and threading, is a process that removes hair from the root. This means that the rate at which you can regrow eyebrows will be slow, but if your follicles are healthy, the growing process is ever continuous and you can be confident that they will sprout back in due time.
For healthy follicles, you can expect to see brow hairs showing at an average pace - this can be anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. It will then take about 2 months for it to grow to its full length. However, with damaged follicles, it can take much longer, or may need a little help to get the process going.
How Long Does It Take For Eyebrows to Grow Back After Shaving Them With A Razor? Do they grow back after shaving?
Shaving, unlike waxing or plucking, only cuts the hair showing through the surface of the skin and it does not take the strand out by the root. This means that the hair follicle stays intact underneath, which not only allows your brows to grow back after shaving, but they can also grow at a faster pace of only a few days.
Unlike some other common methods, shaving does not damage the follicle. Because the healthy follicle stays put beneath the skin, it takes less time for regrown hair to start showing through the surface. It is important to note that while shaving is healthy for your hair, it can cause the skin to dry out and be prone to irritation.
Common Causes of Brow Loss & Thinning Eyebrows
There can be many different reasons for thinning eyebrows or complete brow loss. To know the best possible solution, it is important to first determine the cause and narrow down treatment options.
Below, we highlight the top 4 most common causes and what you need to know about each of them:
Over Plucking
Over plucking remains to be one of the most common causes of brow loss. Consistent use of your tweezers to groom your brows can eventually damage your follicles, which may affect how fast eyebrows grow or prevent a healthy growth cycle from starting again.
Aging
Aging may be equal to over plucking in terms of how often it causes brow loss. Right around the age of 40, estrogen production naturally declines in females just like how testosterone production slows down in men. These two hormones help in the production of hair follicles, which is why scarcity can lead to thinning or patchy eyebrows.
Lack of Nutrition
You must have heard the phrase “you are what you eat”, and this is highly visible when it comes to hair production. In order for the regrowth process to take place, our body needs a steady supply of nutrients to promote it. When your body doesn’t get enough of the essentials, hair can either grow back slow and unhealthy, or not at all.
Skin Condition
Skin conditions and other medically related issues could also cause eyebrow thinning or brow loss. There are multiple types of dermatitis, autoimmune diseases, or even ingredients in medication that can hinder hair growth, promote shedding, or even stop production altogether.
How Many Eyebrow Hairs Do We Lose Per Day?
There are four phases in an eyebrow hair growth cycle and not every strand could be in the same point of the cycle at any one time. Because of this, it is normal to lose a few brow hairs every day as some may be at the end phase of their individual cycle.
On average, extra thick eyebrows could lose about 4 strands per day, while regularly thick eyebrows could lose about 3 strands per day. Those with thinner eyebrows could lose between 1 to 2 strands, while those with unhealthy brows may lose more than average.
Although the above numbers are just estimates and eyebrow hair loss could be a natural part of the process, it is important to see your dermatologist if you notice too much hair falling out on a regular basis.
How To Make Your Eyebrow Hair Grow Quicker
For whatever reason eyebrow hair loss or thinning is taking place, there are a few ways one can try to grow eyebrows back fast.
#1 Stay Away From Your Tweezers
The first thing you can do to help get your brows back is to give them a chance to grow. We recommend putting the tweezers and wax down for a while and let the cycle take its place.
While pausing your grooming habits, you can also try out other hair growth methods below.
#2 OTC or Prescription Hair Growth Treatments
There are different kinds of medication available on the market today that have been specifically manufactured to speed up how fast eyebrows grow. After a diagnosis by your dermatologist, they may prescribe any of the following:
- Bimatoprost, commercially known as Latisse, is only available by prescription.
- Minoxidil, better known as Rogaine, is available in all leading drugstores and does not need a prescription.
- ·Corticosteroids vary in intensity and way of application. Depending on the specific product you choose, they can either be bought over the counter or through prescription only. These treat a variety of skin conditions that may affect eyebrow hair growth.
- Anthralin is another type of anti-inflammatory drug that may only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription.
#3 Stimulating, Hydrating, and Natural Ingredients
Don’t want to use chemically made products? We get it. There are loads of natural remedies that you can try at home too! Try applying the following to see which suit your brows best:
- Aloe Vera
- Coconut oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lavender oil
- Olive oil
- Peppermint oil
- Castor oil
- Rosemary essential oil
#4 Switch Up Your Diet and Lifestyle
Sometimes, all it takes is a little more nutrients and a little less stress in your system to get those strands to come out.
Eat a diet rich in proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins to promote a healthier hair growth cycle. Moreover, keeping yourself hydrated and stress- free also helps speed along the process.
You may also take supplements for the following:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- B-complex
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Amino acid L-lysine
#5 Try An Eyebrow Serum
Eyebrow serums are another popular way to treat hair loss and are more often used on sparse eyebrows that appear patchy or just lacking a push.
There are many serums that are infused with natural ingredients. This allows you to topically apply much-needed growth nutrients directly on your brows while promoting hair health. Some of the best ingredients to look out for in most eyebrow serums include:
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin D
Do Shaved Eyebrows Grow Back Thicker?
Contrary to popular belief, shaving your eyebrows does not let it grow back thicker. Some may believe that shaving can fix the area near an eyebrow bald spot due to this myth, but this is simply not the case.
The only difference that shaving can do to your hair is give it a blunt tip that appears thicker and feels coarse, which is exactly how a stubble is like. Because this is what is closest to the surface of the skin, your hair may appear thicker and more spiked up rather than flat down as it grows out. In contrast, unshaven hair that has been taken by the root appears blunt, fine, soft, and thin at the top.
Is Waxing Or Tweezing Better For Your Eyebrows?
Both waxing and tweezing (also known as plucking) are fast and affordable ways to remove hair at its root. While these methods work great for those who don’t want hair to resurface too fast, they also gradually damage the follicles. With consistent and regular sessions, waxing and/or plucking your eyebrows can make them more prone to slowing down hair production in the area.
This may be great for parts wherein you don’t want hair to grow back. However, when it comes to your eyebrows, it is important to wax or tweeze at your desired shape to avoid regret.
Shaving is another method of hair removal. This technique only cuts off the visible part of the hair instead of uprooting the strand. Shaving can be great for those who want to keep their hair follicles healthy, but it also requires extra steps to keep the skin moisturized.
What To Do While Waiting For Eyebrow Hairs To Grow Back?
If you are in the process of eyebrow hair growth treatments, it can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to see progress. In the meantime, you do not need to live sans eyebrows in your day-to-day life.
Some of the most common, temporary ways to have your brows back while waiting for your natural ones to come through include:
#1 Eyebrow Pencil
Eyebrow pencils are beginner-friendly tools to draw back your brows at a shape and color that best suit you. While they may take a few tries to get used to, you’ll find that steady hands and a quick shaping guide are all you need to get the job done.
#2 Brow Powder
Brow powder is a great tool that offers a soft look that lasts the whole day. They can also be used on top of your applied eyebrow pencil for a fuller look.
#3 Brow Pomade
If you are looking for an easy way to swipe on thick, full brows, then pomade is your answer. Pomade is known for helping users create a defined arch and a dramatic tip.
#4 Tinting
If you are not too keen on applying eyebrow makeup on a regular basis, you can opt to have them tinted. This process involves applying a liquid dye on thin or sparse brows, leaving a perfectly drawn eyebrow that will last between 4 to 6 weeks.
How to Fake Fuller Brows?
In this day and age, convenience and time-efficiency are golden. If make up (long lasting or otherwise) is not your cup of tea, then we are pleased to introduce to you the Eyebrow Temporary Tattoo.
This product is not only affordable and readily available, but it also comes in 5 styles, 5 sizes, and 11 colors, allowing you to find the perfect set of brows for you.
To achieve natural looking, fuller brows, all you need to do is align the temporary tattoo on your brow ridge, apply a wet cloth, then gently peel the paper off. In a matter of seconds, you have your brows on!
What makes these better is that they are 100% waterproof, can last up to 3 days, but are also easily removable should you want to change them out.
FAQs
How can I grow my eyebrows back fast?
Regrow eyebrows fast by not waxing or tweezing and applying natural growth remedies such as topical oils or OTC medication. You can also promote healthy hair growth by eating a diet rich in nutrients, drinking enough water, and staying away from stressful environments.
What should I do if I accidentally shaved my eyebrow?
Using eyebrow pencils, pomade, powder, or temporary eyebrow tattoos are great ways to instantly fill in sparse, thin, or uneven brows.
How do you fix eyebrows that are too short?
Eyebrow pencils are great ways to create precise brow tips when your natural ones are too short. You can also fill them in with other eyebrow makeup products to match your natural brow’s thickness and color.
You’re All Set!
Eyebrows have a natural hair growth cycle and for as long as the follicles remain healthy, you can rest assured knowing your strands will sprout out again in due time.
How long eyebrows take to grow back depends on a variety of factors. If you are experiencing a medical-related issue that affects the growth cycle, your dermatologist can determine the best possible treatment following diagnosis. Nevertheless, affordable tools such as eyebrow makeup or temporary eyebrow tattoos are available to give you an instant fix!
