HAIR TRANSPLANT
Eyebrow Hair Transplants
Eyebrows are more important to one's appearance than scalp hair, as eyebrows are in a more central position on the face. Unlike the loss of scalp hair, the loss of one's
eyebrows is not viewed as a natural process and is, therefore, not cosmetically acceptable.
The direction of eyebrow hair changes dramatically in different parts of the brow. In the region of the eyebrow nearest the nose, the hair points upward. The hair across the top of the eyebrow points outward and downward. The hair in the lower part of the brow grows outward and upward. This crisscross growth pattern causes the hairs in the middle of the eyebrows to converge and form a subtle natural elevation running horizontally through the middle of each eyebrow.
The eyebrow hair has a very short hair growth cycle. This means that eyebrow hair will grow (in anagen) only for about 4 months before it enters the resting (telogen) phase and falls out. In contrast, scalp hair has a growth phase that can last 3 to 7 years, enabling the scalp hair to grow much longer.
The most important aspect of transplanting eyebrows is to follow the natural hair direction very closely. This entails very subtle angle changes to recreate the fan-like splay of hair at the medial end of the brow and the converging hair direction as one moves laterally along the brow. Single hair micrografts, placed into recipient sites that have been created at very acute angles to the skin surface, require a considerable about of skill and experience. In addition, when the patient's hair is waved or curly, it is particularly important to rotate the hair so that curve of the hair shaft follows the natural curve of the eyebrow.
Cosmetic Results of an Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Although eyebrow hair transplantation is a safe and cosmetically elegant procedure, there are a number of things to consider before undergoing this type of hair restoration. As with hair transplants to the scalp, the hair transplanted to eyebrows will continue to grow and must therefore be periodically cut. Besides being a minor nuisance, trimming the hair leaves a cut-end that is not as delicate as the fine-tipped end of an untouched hair.
In contrast to hair transplants, where the donor hair is taken from another part of the scalp and matches perfectly, with eyebrow transplants the hair is taken from a part of the body other than the eyebrows and will thus have slightly different characteristics with regard to both growth rate and appearance. If they are different, then over time, the transplanted scalp hair will slowly begin to approximate the growth pattern and characteristics of the existing eyebrow hair - but it may never totally match it.
The appearance of eyebrow hair transplants will mature over the course of a year. At that time an additional eyebrow hair transplant procedure may be considered. During this interval, the eyebrow can be tweezed and shaped as needed
Eyebrows are more important to one's appearance than scalp hair, as eyebrows are in a more central position on the face. Unlike the loss of scalp hair, the loss of one's
eyebrows is not viewed as a natural process and is, therefore, not cosmetically acceptable.The direction of eyebrow hair changes dramatically in different parts of the brow. In the region of the eyebrow nearest the nose, the hair points upward. The hair across the top of the eyebrow points outward and downward. The hair in the lower part of the brow grows outward and upward. This crisscross growth pattern causes the hairs in the middle of the eyebrows to converge and form a subtle natural elevation running horizontally through the middle of each eyebrow.
The eyebrow hair has a very short hair growth cycle. This means that eyebrow hair will grow (in anagen) only for about 4 months before it enters the resting (telogen) phase and falls out. In contrast, scalp hair has a growth phase that can last 3 to 7 years, enabling the scalp hair to grow much longer.
The most important aspect of transplanting eyebrows is to follow the natural hair direction very closely. This entails very subtle angle changes to recreate the fan-like splay of hair at the medial end of the brow and the converging hair direction as one moves laterally along the brow. Single hair micrografts, placed into recipient sites that have been created at very acute angles to the skin surface, require a considerable about of skill and experience. In addition, when the patient's hair is waved or curly, it is particularly important to rotate the hair so that curve of the hair shaft follows the natural curve of the eyebrow.
Cosmetic Results of an Eyebrow Hair Transplant
Although eyebrow hair transplantation is a safe and cosmetically elegant procedure, there are a number of things to consider before undergoing this type of hair restoration. As with hair transplants to the scalp, the hair transplanted to eyebrows will continue to grow and must therefore be periodically cut. Besides being a minor nuisance, trimming the hair leaves a cut-end that is not as delicate as the fine-tipped end of an untouched hair.
In contrast to hair transplants, where the donor hair is taken from another part of the scalp and matches perfectly, with eyebrow transplants the hair is taken from a part of the body other than the eyebrows and will thus have slightly different characteristics with regard to both growth rate and appearance. If they are different, then over time, the transplanted scalp hair will slowly begin to approximate the growth pattern and characteristics of the existing eyebrow hair - but it may never totally match it.
The appearance of eyebrow hair transplants will mature over the course of a year. At that time an additional eyebrow hair transplant procedure may be considered. During this interval, the eyebrow can be tweezed and shaped as needed