Eyebrow hair transplant is one of the most delicate procedures in hair restoration, and patient expectations — both for the procedure experience and the final result — must be carefully calibrated before proceeding. Here is a complete account of what to expect.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, which is administered to the brow area rather than the scalp. Most patients find the brow anaesthetic more uncomfortable than scalp anaesthesia — the skin of the brow area is thinner and the anaesthetic injections are administered in a more sensitive location. Topical numbing cream applied thirty minutes before helps significantly.
Extraction of donor grafts for eyebrow transplants typically comes from the scalp — single-hair follicular units from the back of the scalp are the most commonly used. These are extracted using standard FUE technique and the donor scalp is managed in the same way as a standard hair transplant.
The implantation phase is the most technically demanding aspect. Eyebrow hairs grow at angles of less than ten degrees from the skin surface — almost parallel to it — in specific directional patterns that change across the brow. Each graft must be placed at the exact angle and direction corresponding to its position in the natural brow. The skill required for this level of precision distinguishes specialist surgeons from those with limited eyebrow experience.
Post-operatively, the brow area will be swollen and crusted for the first week. The grafts then shed (as with any hair transplant) and new growth begins from months three to four. The full result, including the maturation of the hair to its final calibre and appearance, is assessed at twelve months.
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