Loss of eyebrows, whole or in parts, can make an individual feel very self-conscious about his or her appearance. People do not realize the full impact that eyebrows can make on the total facial appearance until you see a person without them. Thankfully, new hair transplantation techniques can often restore eyebrows loss or enhance existing eyebrows.

Eyebrow hair loss can occur for several reasons, and is most commonly associated with the following:

• Physical trauma
• Systemic or local disease
• Excessive plucking, typically to reshape the eyebrow
• Trichotillomania or self-inflicted obsessive compulsive plucking
• Medical or surgical treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Genetic factors
• Laser hair removal for eyebrow tattoos

Eyebrow transplant - before surgery with borders marked

Eyebrow transplant - immediately post-operative

Because the donor hairs come from the scalp, one must understand the following:

• transplanted scalp hairs may be of different color from the eyebrow hairs, thus requiring tinting
• donor hairs can grow much faster than the existing eyebrow hairs, thus requiring trimming

The loss of eyelashes can occur for several reasons, and is most commonly associated with the following:

• Physical trauma
• Systemic or local disease
• Trichotillomania or self-inflicted obsessive compulsive plucking
• Medical or surgical treatments like radiation therapy or chemotherapy
• Genetic factors

Besides those who wish to replace lost eyelashes, some people wish to enhance their existing eyelashes by making them thicker and longer. Eyelash transplant is a feasible solution for both.

Comparing to scalp hair or eyebrow transplants, eyelash transplantation is a more recently developed procedure. As in scalp hair transplantation, the donor hairs are taken from the back of the head. The grafts are divided into single hairs, trimmed very fine, and meticulously placed on each upper eyelid. Typically 20-30 single hair grafts are placed on each eyelid. Eyelash transplants restore function, improve appearance, and enhance a person’s self-esteem.

Eyelashes transplant - before surgery

Eyelashes transplant - immediately post-operative.

Because the donor hairs come from the scalp, one must understand the following:

• transplanted scalp hairs may be of different color from the existing eyelash hairs, thus requiring tinting
• donor hairs can grow much faster than the existing eyelash hairs, thus requiring trimming
• donor hairs may have different curvature from the existing eyelashes, thus requiring lash perming

For more information, visit the website for the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons - www.ishrs.com - and specifically their article on eyelash transplantation: http://www.ishrs.org/articles/eyelash-transplantation.htm