Eyebrow Transplant- What to Expect, Costs, Pros & Cons
One of the most expressive elements of the face are your eyebrows. They literally affect the overall appearance of our facial structure
Eyebrow Transplanting has been used for many years, and due to the recent research and excellent outcomes, restoring eyebrows has become a trendy procedure instead of relying on makeup to temporarily fill in the missing portions.
What is Eyebrow Transplant
Brow Transplant is a medical procedure done by a Plastic or dermatological surgeon, to surgically transplant hair grafts from other parts of the body (donor site) to the areas of the brows, where there is little or no hair at all (recipient site).
This procedure is done carried out by using a technique called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE),
Photo Showing Before & After Brow Transplant
Step-By-Step Procedure of Brows Transplant
1 – consultation for brow transplant
This is purely a one-on-one interaction between you and your surgeon, discussing the importance of the procedure.– These session(s) will help both; the surgeon to identify if you are a good candidate for the procedure and for the client to choose a proper practitioner. Citation
what to expect during brow transplant consultations
Discussions during consultations will entail:
- If you are actively smoking or currently on drugs of any kind.
- State if you are on medications (some medications can affect blood clotting).
- Your surgeon will evaluate your hair growth and hair loss patterns.
- Your family history of hair loss will be enquired about.
- Discussion on previous hair transplant surgery if any.
- Medical conditions that may cause problems during or after surgery (uncontrolled high blood pressure, blood-clotting, tendency to form excessive scars)
- The desired look and formation of the brows you want after the procedure.
2 – Preparation of the donor site for hair transplant
As mentioned before the donor site is where your surgeon will be taking the graft of hairs from. She will prepare this site by numbing the area using a mixture of epinephrine and lidocaine.
After which she will then go in back to the donor site with another solution called Tumescent (which provides anesthesia for large areas of skin and long-lasting numbing).
3 – Extracting of hair grafts
With the use of a motorized pen, your surgeon will now attempt the extraction of the hair grafts (plug) using a modern technique called the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).
What is Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE)
FUE stands for Follicular Unit Extraction, this is the act of extracting individual hair follicles with the use of a motorized pen-like tool. These plugs (hair and follicles) are to now be transferred to other areas of the body as desired.
FUE is an upgrade to the old technique, where clients will have a strip of skin cut out from the back of the head (donor site). They will further approach by stitching it back together, which eventually leaves you with a scar.
4 – Preparation of the recipient site for hair transplant
Your surgeon will now numb the brows by injecting the area with the necessary medication, this also has a follow-up numbing solution containing epinephrine.
Epinephrine helps to clamp down blood vessels, to avoid heavy bleeding during the procedure this follow-up provides a longer numbing effect.
5 – Transplanting of Hair grafts
Now after the recipient site has been prepared. Your surgeon will make tiny incisions on the brow areas. Using a hand-held tool she will now insert the hair grafts individually.
Carefully trying to mimic the hair angles and directions in which they grow, to meet the client’s expectations.
Or she will use a line implanter, this pen-like tool carries a needle-like bottom that can be easily inserted in the area at the desired angle of how you want to place the hair. Instantly after she will use the plunger found at the top end and plunge the hair into its place.
5 – After brow transplant
After finishing both brows and having a final look at them, make sure the brows are up to requirements and certain standards.
The surgeon will apply an ointment to help seal the brows creating a barrier and outside impurities and bacteria.
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How long does brow transplant surgery take
Typically a normal session will take 5-6 hours. Some may take less time, and some more, It all comes down to the work needed. by the client.
Video On Brows Transplant Procedure
How long do brow transplants last
The result of these procedures would last a lifetime. However, though, you will notice the regrowth of the transplanted follicles between 4 to 6 months after the surgery. You should now finally see full results in 10 months’ time.
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What is the Cost of Eyebrow transplants
An eyebrow transplant can typically cost you anywhere from $3 000 to $6 000 per entire session including consultation fees, You will be charged $5-$8 per follicular unit.
This cosmetic procedure is very expensive and if it is not done for any medical purpose (i.e. diseases or injuries) it will not be covered by health insurance.
What affects the cost of bows transplant
- Amount of grafts needed.
- Consultation(s) done
- Your medical facility of choice
- The clinic of choice for the procedure
- The surgeon used (based on their skill, experience, and work results)
- Products and medication used during the procedure
OR get yourself a Henna brow kit and Get fuller brows right at home– Click here to see which kit is best for your skin.
Read Article on- Ways to DIY Eyebrow Tint at Home – Natural & Safe
Effective Ways To Tame & Fix Unruly EyeBrows
Pros & Cons Of Brow Transplant
- PROS
- Permanent Result that will last a lifetime.
- Natural Looking.
- Its a one time expense
- Save time during your regular makeup routine.
- Can cover up trauma, burns, alopecia, or any other kind of injury to that area.
- Effective on patients who have had chemotherapy and are no longer on such treatments.
- CONS
- Eyebrow Transplants are expensive.
- It takes several months to see actual results.
- Some of the hair follicles do not produce new hairs.
- Touchups are due 9 months apart in the case of any needed.
- Risk of inflammation, allergic reactions, and infections are possible if not careful.
What determines how the hairs are transplanted
The position and placement of the hair can be a bit technical seeing that our brows hair literally grows in 3-4 different directions. we really don’t want criss-crossed hair, shooting in all directions.
- The direction of the hair growth, seeing that the hair on our brows grows in different directions, which creates the formation. The surgeon will follow that as guidance.
- The brow formation you discussed during consultation. Ensure to have a mapping out of brows done to ensure precision, this help with placement of the hair grafts.
- Angulation of the brows. If our brows are not angulated properly it will look like a complete mess, what we do not want is our hairs shooting outwards making them look unruly.
See other method to fuller bolder brows- Microblading & Oily Skin – Everything You Need to Know
OR Click here to see which is better- Eyebrow Tinting Vs Microblading – Which is Better
The recovery process after brow transplant
After the procedure, the surgeon will outline what you may experience, this will help you to understand the aftereffect of the procedure. You may:
- Experience minor scabbing where the hairs were transplanted. Refrain from touching or removing the scabs yourself.
- The transplanted hairs will fall out after a few weeks, do not be afraid, that this is very normal and they will regrow.
- Have patience as it would take few/several months for the eyebrows to fully regrow.
- Do note because the hair (grafts) are taken from other parts of the body, they will still grow at same rate as they were (getting longer at a faster rate, than your regular brow hair growth). This means you will need to be trimmed more often
Video On Brows Transplant Recovery Process
What are the Side effects of brows transplant
- The transplanted hair follicles don’t regrow their new hair. Meaning you will have to redo the procedure again in the future.
- If the surgeon does not use the required medication (eg. Epinephrine-Which helps to clamp down blood vessels, to avoid heavy bleeding) can result in excessive bleeding.
- Nerve Damage can potentially occur in the recipient area, the donor area, or both of them. The symptom you will experience for nerve damage is numbness.
- A little Swelling is totally normal, seeing that the skin layers were disturbed and irritated you can expect a little swelling. This will eventually return to normal, Contact the surgeon if swelling gets out of hand.
- Bruises will be visibly noticeable, not to worry they will eventually heal in a short time.
- Infections can be scary, if the areas are not properly cleaned and disinfected, they can become infected.
- Bacteria can be transferred to the exposed areas if certain tools are reused and others are not properly sterilized. These items can be the carrier of bacteria.
- Scarring is a risk if you are highly prone to scar, this is why consultations are very important. Citation
who are not candidates for brow transplant
- Those under 24 years of age.
- Individuals with serious health complications.
- Those who react to the anesthesia.
- Individuals with blood-borne illnesses, such as HIV and Hepatitis C are generally not candidates for hair transplant surgery.
- In patients with Hemophilia, this is a condition that limits the ability of blood to clot which can lead to excessive bleeding. Citation
Also learn about Eyebrow Tinting During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding. Is it as SAFE as we Think?
Alternatives to brow transplants
Being a bit cautious with Brow Transplant, We completely understand. Not all of us are usually ready for big changes in our life even though it may seem very amazing, we all have our reasons.
So that is why we have put together some alternatives to Brow Transplants, so you can see which method suits you best.
- Microblading- Is a tattooing technique for brow enhancement, that uses a small handheld tool with tiny needles. This creates hair-like strokes while also depositing semi-permanent pigment under your skin.
- Brow Lamination– This is a procedure where the brow hair is Permed. This allows the hairs to stand in a uniform direction.
- MicroShading– Tattooing procedure that gives you the filling powder effect. Making it perfect for sparse brows.
- Ombre Brows– this procedure is quite similar to microshading, but an ombre brow gives you more of an ombre/faded effect.
- Brow Extension– Pain-Free application of individual hairs to your existing eyebrow hair & directly to your skin.
- Brow Tinting– Applying semi-permanent dye/tint to the brow area.
Other Affordable Alternatives to Brow Transplanting
- Brow Gel– Tames & shapes brow hairs by holding them in place.
- Brow Powder– Applying powder to fill in brow gaps, for a fuller look.
- Brow Pencil– Filling in of gapped area and outlining brows
- Brow Sticker– A sticker that mimics real eyebrow hair
- Brow Shaping Stencils/Stickers– Provide a perfect brow shape in various varieties, for different face shapes & styles.
Get fuller brows at home click here to see- How Long to Leave Eyebrow Tint On & What Could Go Wrong
OR How To Use Beard Dye For Eyebrows -full step-by-step guide
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