Can Minoxidil Regrow Eyebrows?

Hair loss is unfortunately very common, with both men and women all over the world experiencing hair shedding, thinning, and balding. It doesn’t only affect the scalp, either. While most people are concerned about their hair line or their thinning crown, there are also those who must deal with losing their eyebrow hair.

This can be particularly difficult for people. You might think eyebrow hair doesn’t matter, as it’s only a tiny patch of hair, but that’s not the case. Eyebrow hair is on the face (making it very visible) and has a real impact on your overall facial features – losing it can make you look different, and that’s not easy for anyone to come to terms with.

The good news is you don’t have to simply put up with having thinning or balding eyebrows, as there is a solution: minoxidil.

First: What is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil is a popular and very common hair restoration medication that you can get over the counter in the UK. It’s often known by its brand name, Rogaine, and is often used to treat androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness), with a high success rate. In fact, minoxidil is effective at regrowing hair in two out of three men. [1]

Minoxidil cleverly works by boosting blood flow to the hair follicles, which then expands them. This allows the hair to achieve a healthy hair growth cycle, leading to overall hair growth. Usually, it takes around four months to see results.

Can You Use Minoxidil for Eyebrows?

So, what about minoxidil for eyebrows? The truth is that minoxidil as a hair loss treatment isn’t specifically designed to be used on the brows. That doesn’t mean it can’t lead to eyebrow growth, though. Just look at this study from the Japanese Dermatological Association [2], which showed that using 2% minoxidil lotion on the brows was more effective than a placebo, indicating its effectiveness.

That’s clearly good news for those experiencing alopecia of the eyebrows! Using minoxidil as a treatment may help you regrow your eyebrows again. Plus, you can get it over the counter, so you won’t need to see a doctor to get hold of it.

Research is Still Needed

Let’s be clear: the effectiveness of minoxidil on the eyebrows is not fully discovered. While some studies show promising results, more research is still needed to definitely prove that it works. However, for most people, minoxidil is a low-risk treatment that’s worth trying out.

How to Use Minoxidil for Eyebrows

Are you ready to give minoxidil a go? If you’ve experienced eyebrow hair loss, this hair loss treatment definitely worth a shot, as you may see positive results very quickly. Here’s how to do it.

Purchase Minoxidil

Your first step is actually finding and purchasing minoxidil. Fortunately, minoxidil UK is very easy to get a hold of – simply pop into your local pharmacy or order through a pharmacy online. Keep in mind that there are two strengths: 2% and 5%. If it’s your first time using minoxidil, it’s best to choose the weaker strength. In fact, even if you’ve used 5% on your scalp before, we still recommend going with 2% for your eyebrows, as it’s a delicate area of the face! You can always start with 2% minoxidil and work your way up to 5% if necessary.

Apply Minoxidil to the Brows

In terms of applying the product, it’s best to use a Q-tip for a clean application (and to avoid spreading too many germs from your hands to your eyes/face). Simply apply the product to the end of the Q-tip and then transfer it to your eyebrows. Remember to apply carefully, as you don’t want any of the product getting into your eyes.

Leave it on for Four Hours

Like you would with minoxidil on the scalp, leave the product on the brows for four hours before washing out. You can wash out in the shower or while washing the rest of your face. It’s best to do this before you sleep.

It’s important to use this treatment daily; otherwise, you won’t see results. Get into a routine of applying minoxidil during the evening and washing out before bed for best results.

Wait for Results

You won’t notice hair growth the next day or even in the next week. However, you can expect to see eyebrow hair regrowth after a couple of months; using a hair track app will help you clearly see how much has grown. If you don’t notice any difference after six months, you may want to look into a different treatment.

The Benefits of Using Minoxidil on Eyebrows for Regrowth

Is it worth using minoxidil on eyebrows for regrowth? We would say so, here’s why:

It’s Affordable

Minoxidil comes with a cost, but when compared to other, more expensive hair restoration options, it’s actually very affordable. Of course, you do need to consider how long you’ll need to use it, as minoxidil results go away once you stop use.

Low Chance of Side Effects

The side effects of using minoxidil are pretty mild. Plus, the chances of them occurring in the first place are quite rare.

It’s Effective

As mentioned before, minoxidil is a highly effective treatment for androgenetic alopecia, and studies show that using it on the brows offers excellent results.

You Can Do it At Home

Many hair loss treatments require multiple trips to a clinic. However, minoxidil can be used from the comfort of your own home, which is highly beneficial to many people.

Potential Side Effects

Like with most medications, there are some potential side effects associated with minoxidil. As you’ll be putting it on your face (near your eyes) to boost your brow hairs, it’s especially important to be aware of these.

• Burning
• Redness
• Itchiness
• Dryness

The good news is that these side effects are quite rare, as demonstrated in the Japanese Dermatological Association study. [2] However, if you do experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to stop using minoxidil and speak with your dermatologist.

When You Shouldn’t Use Minoxidil for Eyebrows

There are some cases in which minoxidil for the brows isn’t a good idea. If you have a skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis that affects the face, it’s best to avoid using minoxidil treatment there. Also, if you’ve used minoxidil before and have experienced an allergic reaction, it’s definitely not a good idea to use it on the eyebrows.

Other Ways to Regrow Your Eyebrows

Is minoxidil for eyebrows not for you? There are some other treatments for eyebrow hair loss.

Alternative Topical Treatments

Minoxidil is a popular topical hair loss treatment, but there are others. There are plenty of high-quality eyebrow serums out there that may help boost eyebrow hair growth. In particular, topical treatments, including rosemary oil, can be very effective.

Eyebrow Tattoos or Microblading

For those with eyebrow hair loss that cannot grow back (due to something like alopecia universalis), there is the option of an eyebrow tattoo or microblading. Microblading offers a natural-looking result that lasts around two-three years, whereas a tattoo will last forever. Do your research on the tattooing clinic first, as you want the most natural result possible.

Addressing Nutritional Issues

Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. If you are deficient in iron, biotin, vitamin B12, or vitamin B2, address those to see if it can help you regrow your brows.

Addressing Skin Problems

Some skin problems on the face can cause the eyebrows to fall out. For example, if you have eczema that causes dry, flaky skin, that can result in thinning brows. Speaking to your doctor about treatment is the best next step here.

Eyebrow Hair Transplants

Did you know you can get a hair transplant for the eyebrows? It’s true. It works similarly to a usual scalp transplant – taking healthy hair follicles from another area of the body and transplanting them into the thinning/balding section. The best part about this treatment is that it looks endlessly natural and lasts forever.

Experiencing Hair Loss?

Noticing that your hair is falling out is never easy – no matter where it is. It doesn’t have to mean the end of your locks, though. Whether you have experienced eyebrow or scalp hair loss, the team here at Harley Street Hair Clinic are here to help. We have a fantastic team of outstanding surgeons who can put you on a hair restoration journey that will restore your confidence. From normal scalp hair transplants to eyebrow transplants, we have the treatment option you’ve been looking for. Interested in what we can offer? Our patients gallery shows the results of our past patients, and you can see just how effective our treatments are.

In Summary

Minoxidil does not only have to be used on your scalp. While traditionally, it’s a scalp hair loss treatment, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest the topical medication can also help you regrow your eyebrows. Why not give it a go? With such minimal side effects, it’s definitely worth a shot. Plus, it’s amazing just how much of a difference eyebrow hair can make to the face!

Sources:

1. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/thinning-hair
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24471459/#:~:text=Topical%20minoxidil%20has%20been%20successfully,be%20applied%20to%20enhance%20eyebrows.