The Best Ways To Regrow Your Over-Tweezed Eyebrows
Since the beginning of Y2K, there's been no shortage of techniques to style your brows. From basic pencil work to full-on eyebrow lamination, the possibilities are endless when it comes to the arch above your eyes. That is of course, assuming you aren't a victim of over-tweezing. If that's the case, don't worry — we've got your back.
Before we go any further, understand that growing your eyebrows back takes patience, time, and effort. According to dermatologist Dr. Hadley King, regrowth time depends on cause of hair loss and severity of damage. "Tweezing, waxing, or other methods of hair removal over the years can damage hair follicles, preventing regrowth over time," she explained to InStyle. "The traumatized hair follicles may scar over time, in which case the hair wi ll not grow back." If you've only been victim to one over-tweezing incident, regrowth shouldn't take too much time, and there are a number of ways to stimulate hair follicles and get your eyebrows back to their regularly scheduled slaying. If you're tired of seeing your barely-there or nonexistent eyebrows in the mirror, this one's for you.
It all starts with a healthy diet
Although there's no guarantee that after eating a few healthy foods you'll see immediately full, fluffy brows overnight, maintaining a nutrient rich diet over time can help to promote hair growth on both your head and brows. Aim for foods that are rich in protein, iron, fiber, and other strengthening nutrients to maintain existing hair and create a healthy environment for more to grow.
If you notice after months that there's still no growth, it may. time to consult a doctor. Per Healthline, micronutrient deficiencies in iron, Vitamin D, and Zinc, can negatively affect eyebrow hair growth. Meanwhile, hormonal imbalances, as well as skin conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and eczema can hinder eyebrow growth ability. It's important to treat these conditions if you want to create the ideal conditions for eyebrows to grow.
Hair growth is extremely dependent on our diet. According to nutritionist Sydney Greene, consuming adequate nutrients for our mind and body is important for stimulating eyebrow hair growth. "If your diet is deficient in these nutrients, you will be susceptible to hair loss, limp hair or thinning," she explained to Aedit. She added that when it comes to diet, what you eat "plays a very important role in scalp health and hair growth." It's important to have a holistic diet that includes foods like salmon, spinach, greek yogurt, seeds, and eggs (essentially, anything high in vitamin B and C — you can also take these as supplements).
Topical regrowth products
There are a few topical treatments that can be used to address thin eyebrows. As noted by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Engelman, Minoxidil is the most effective treatment for hair growth around the eyebrows. "Minoxidil works by promoting the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the hair follicle, which in turn improves hair growth," she explained to InStyle. In addition to Minoxidil, products such as Latisse contain hair growth ingredients like biotin and bimatoprost. Use a q-tip or small brush applicator daily to apply the product to the brow hairs before keeping on overnight. Be careful to not unintentionally coat over the eyebrows with creams, serums, or oils, since they can block the hair follicle from properly growing.
Since our body repairs itself overnight, apply the growth product overnight for best results. If you're prone to touching your face throughout the night, use saran wrap to firmly protect the eyebrows. You'll likely see results in approximately four to six weeks, but don't forget to be patient, consistent, and effective in your application.
Oils to stimulate hair follicles
Just like the hair on our scalp, oils can be used to stimulate hair follicles and promote growth. Beyond topical products, oils provide an intensive hydrating effect to the skin and can promote hair growth overtime. According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, castor oil can be a game changer for eyebrow regrowth. She explained to Byrdie, "While there haven't been scientific studies that prove that castor oil can regrow hair, it's a low-risk remedy that may help you get thicker/fuller eyebrows." Beyond the product itself, oiling is a deeply personal self-care practice that has been passed down through centuries.
Other plant-based oils are also extremely effective for promoting hair growth. According to dermatologist Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, rosemary oil can help increase blood flow which promotes hair growth. "Rosemary contains carnosic acid, which may contribute to scalp health," she told Everyday Health, adding that it "can help to fight dandruff, a common cause of inflammation on the scalp, which can contribute to hair thinning." In addition to rosemary oil, other plant-based oils — like jojoba, argan, and tea tree — can also help stimulate hair follicles.
Avoid heavy eyebrow gels
Though it's tempting to use products that make your brows fuller, if you're trying to grow them out, it's best to avoid them all together. Heavy eyebrow gels that are made to keep your eyebrows looking full and bushy can make the brow hairs stiff and dry, causing them to break off. In an interview with Allure, cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson explained how common ingredients found in these products, like alcohol can ultimately damage hair. "That in itself may cause drying," he explained. "When brow hair is overly dried out, it shatters."
Other products to be careful about include eyebrow pencils, wax, and molding palmades. If it's something you wouldn't apply directly to your face, avoid areas with hair as well. But if you must use a product to set the brows in place, instead of gel, opt for jelly-based cosmetic products like petroleum jelly or a colorless lip balm. If eyebrows require color to look full, opt for eyebrow products that are paraben and sulfate-free. Above all, make sure you're properly cleaning your eyebrows off at the end of the night.
Eyebrow tinting and filling
While tinting and filling the brows isn't the solution to hair growth, desperate times may call for a quick fix while you wait for hair to grow. If you depend on eyebrow products to keep them looking full, there are a few alternatives that better prevent damage to the skin and hair. Per Allure, eyebrow tints and fillers can also help you identify lighter hairs that you may have never seen. With treatments like eyebrow tinting, avoiding tweezers until regrowth begins will achieve the best results, as the eyebrow will take shape alongside its tint. Eyebrow treatments can be done professionally or at home, with kits like Brow Code's Tint Kit ($50). Before getting started, do a patch test on your hand to notice any contact allergies. Once the ingredients have been deemed safe, follow the brand's instructions, and achieve your ideal results.