When an individual experiences permanent eyebrow loss (ie. losing the eyebrows follicles permanently)  he or she can opt for an eyebrow transplant.  Eyebrow loss is caused by numerous things. Often, hair loss in eyebrows occurs due to  the constant plucking of hair from the same areas. However, eyebrows loss may also result from permanent make-up, or other severe conditions such as chemotherapy for cancer or skin diseases (typically alopecia areata).

After the loss of eyebrows in some cases, there is still a chance for them to grow back. But, it’s those individuals with permanent loss who often seek eyebrow transplants. Eyebrow transplantation is the process of transplanting hair follicles, which can be extracted from all available donor areas, primarily from the region at the back of the head. They are then placed on the areas where eyebrow loss has occurred.

DHI Method for Eyebrow Transplantation

Eyebrow transplants are among the most meticulous and demanding of all hair-transplant procedures. In eyebrow transplantations, it’s important to achieve a natural-looking appearance. For this, the angle and direction of the transplanted grafts should be monitored with a steady, trained eye, so that they match the natural direction and arch of the original brow.

At Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic, eyebrow transplantations are performed with the DHI hair transplant method. The reason for utilizing the DHI method is that it enables for more meticulous transplantation, and can thus get between the existing eyebrow hairs more easily, unlike the FUE method.

Stages of Eyebrow Transplantation

Aesthetic concerns are our main priority for eyebrow transplantation. This requires developing a customized operation plan based on the unique needs of the patient.

The Four Steps of an Eyebrow Transplantation

As eyebrow transplantation only requires an average amount of 200-300 grafts, the procedure generally takes around 2-3 hours. These are the three steps that happen on that day, as well as the one follow-up step in the day following the operation.

1. Consultation: The design of the eyebrow will be determined during a physical examination. During this stage, the physician will develop an operation plan, taking into consideration the patients’ facial features and individual needs. The doctor will assess both the recipient area and the hairs from the donor area.
2. Extraction of Grafts: This is the first phase of the operation itself. It is possible to harvest the donor grafts using the unshaven method, which is generally applied to individuals with long hair. The small number of grafts needed will also enable this procedure to be performed easily.  The harvesting of grafts with the application of the unshaven method only requires a small area at the back of the head to be shaved. (So, the “unshaven” part of the term refers to the fact that the rest of your hair will mask the tiny shaved spot. The shaven area where the grafts will be extracted will not be visible to other people.) When extracting the hair follicles, only single hairs will be harvested, whereas other DHI transplant procedures prioritize grafts with multiple hair shafts. For eyebrows, only single hairs can provide a natural aesthetic appearance. Before the extraction process, local anesthesia will be administered within the donor area.
3. Transplantation Begins: Next, the recipient area (the eyebrows) are also anesthetized locally. Using the DHI/Choi implanter pen, hair follicles are transplanted, taking into account the accurate angle and direction of hair growth. Again, this process is significant to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
4. Recovery/Follow-up: On the day following the procedure, a dressing will be applied to ensure that the hair follicles have been adequately anchored to the dermal tissue, as well as to prevent any other medical complications from occurring. We will advise you on how to properly care for the freshly transplanted hair, and provide a timeline for any habits or behaviors you need to monitor in the weeks or months to follow. (Like avoiding direct sunlight on the area for two months, and avoid trimming or intense friction for the first month.)

Observing Results After Eyebrow Transplantation

The growth process of newly transplanted eyebrows is the same as a hair transplant procedure.  Within 15 days following the procedure, the patient may experience a temporary condition called shock-loss. In the next 3 months, the patient will be noticing visible hair growth. It is possible to observe the results in the upcoming 8-12 months following the procedure.