Overplucked Eyebrows: How to Let Your Eyebrows Grow Back

The thin, overplucked eyebrow trend of the 1990s [1] has come back to haunt many people who now instead want a beautiful pair of full, thick brows. While it might have looked perfectly on trend for Drew Barrymore and Pamela Anderson back in the day, thin brows quickly went out of style!

Naturally, trends come and go, which is great for clothes, but not so great for the eyebrows. The last thing anyone wants to do is overpluck their brows only to later realise it’s a permanent decision that means they can’t grow them back in their entirety in the future. Does that ring true to you? If so, this article is for you, aswe will go over the effects of overplucking grows and how to restore them with some real, proven solutions.

Do Overplucked Eyebrows Always Lead to Permanent Damage?

 

Not necessarily. Some people who have overplucked their eyebrows find that their brow growth returns to normal as soon as they put down the tweezers. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for everyone. In some cases of prolonged plucking, the hair follicles may get damaged and take a while to grow back. Then, there are people who’ve found their eyebrow hairs do not grow back at all. [2] This is particularly common in people who have trichotillomania, which is a mental health condition that gives people an irresistible urge to pull out hairs from their brows and scalp.

How Long Do Eyebrow Hairs Take to Grow Back?

Assuming the brow hair follicle has not been damaged, the brow hairs take around four months to grow back. That is because the growth cycle only lasts four months (compared to the seven years of the scalp hair growth cycle). If you’ve noticed your brow hairs take longer to grow back, that indicates damage, and you might need to invest in a hair loss treatment.

Why Are the Eyebrows So Important?

Some people might wonder why eyebrow hair is so focused on. The truth is that eyebrows play a significant role in the face’s appearance, as they frame the entire face. The right eyebrow shape can make a person look far more attractive, whereas the wrong eyebrow shape may detract from a person’s beauty. Also, eyebrows help people express their emotions. People can express a lot with just a flicker of the eyebrows, which improves human communication. [3] Then, there are the health benefits, with eyebrows preventing moisture from dripping down from our scalp or forehead into the eyes. Overall, eyebrows are an important feature that you shouldn’t take for granted!

How to Regrow Overplucked Eyebrows

If you’re ready to grow out a pair of beautifully full eyebrows after overplucking, these are undoubtedly the best methods.

Stop Plucking!

First thing’s first – stop plucking! If you want to regrow overplucked eyebrows, you must refrain from picking up the tweezers for several months. Doing so allows your brows to go through the natural hair growth cycle; you may discover your brows grow back on their own this way. If not, move on to some of these other methods.

Hair Oils

Some hair oils have been proven to stimulate hair growth, which could prove effective on the brows. One good oil to try is rosemary oil, which you can pick up for quite cheap at many supermarkets and pharmacies – it’s best to choose one specifically designed for hair purposes. Then, apply the rosemary oil 2-3 times a week to the brows and wait for the hairs to grow back through.

Eyebrow Serums

Some eyebrow serums on the market work very well. There are many options here, so research and find one with good reviews. Nanobrow Eyebrow Serum has had a lot of positive feedback, so consider that one – just ensure you follow the instructions to a tee so you increase your chances of the serum working!

Hair Loss Medications

You can use hair loss medications like finasteride and minoxidil on the eyebrows, which may stimulate growth. However, be very careful when applying, as the eyebrows are very close to the eyes. Speak to a doctor before using either hair loss treatment on the brows.

Eyebrow Hair Transplant

One of the best ways to regrow eyebrow hair is through a hair transplant. Eyebrow hair transplants have become increasingly common over the years, with many people using them to enjoy thick, full eyebrows every day when they wake up without worrying about filling in with a pencil. Eyebrow hair transplants work by grafting hair from above the areas and then transplanting those hairs and follicles to the eyebrows. [4] Over time, these hairs will grow naturally in their new home.

There, you have five methods for regrowing your eyebrows, all with unique benefits. If you have only recently overplucked your brows, stopping plucking and using an eyebrow serum may be enough. However, if you haven’t been able to regrow your eyebrows for many years, an eyebrow transplant is likely a better option.

Hiding Your Overplucked Eyebrows

Regrowing your brows is not the only solution. While searching for the best solution for your brows, there is the option of hiding the overplucked eyebrows, which you can do in various ways.

Eyebrow Makeup

One of the easiest ways to cover overplucked eyebrows is by using makeup. You can use an eyebrow pencil, brow gel, or brow pen to fill in the blanks and give the appearance of full brows.

Eyebrow Lamination

Sometimes, you can cover your thin patches with shaping. Eyebrow lamination is a sort of eyebrow perm that controls the direction of your brows. When performed by a professional, it can give the appearance of thicker brows.

Eyebrow Tint

Another way to give the impression of thicker brows is via an eyebrow tint. You can get this done in a beautician’s office or do it yourself at home. It’s best to only go a shade or two darker than your natural eyebrows to avoid them looking too dark.

Eyebrow Tattoos

There is the option of eyebrow tattoos. Be aware you must be very careful here, as a bad tattoo can ruin your face for a lifetime. Microblading is a better option than a full tattoo, as it mimics the natural growth of eyebrows and only lasts several years. Always research the clinic before getting any form of eyebrow tattoo done and be sure to tell them exactly what you want – it’s always better to go for a natural outcome than overdo it!

You can use any of these methods to hide your thinning eyebrows while you grow them back out. Are you looking for a way to track growth? Our revolutionary hair track app lets you check in on your hair growth while also putting you in touch with the best eyebrow transplant surgeons in the business!

Should You Refrain from Plucking Your Eyebrows?

Not necessarily. There is a big difference between overplucked eyebrows and lightly plucked eyebrows that create a neater look. Many people like to pluck the stray hairs around their brows, and that’s fine and should not lead to damage. The only time you need to worry about eyebrow plucking is if it goes overboard. Here are some rules to abide by when plucking:

Avoid the Top of the Brows

Resist the urge to pluck the top of the eyebrows. Instead, focus on the bottom of the eyebrows, plucking out the stray hairs only.

Go Slowly

Unless you have a good while to focus on your eyebrows, do not bother. Mistakes happen when you try to pluck your eyebrows too quickly; you may even end up pulling out an entire clump, leaving one section noticeably bare!

Follow the Brow Line

Follow the eyebrow line for a natural finish. Don’t try to create a new shape by plucking, as this will only lead to overplucked eyebrows. Instead, pluck along your natural shape, focusing only on the hairs that are out of place.

Get it Done Professionally

If you are worried about going too far when plucking your eyebrows, leave it to a professional. Do some research before letting someone else pluck, wax, or thread your eyebrows, as you don’t want to end up with too-thin brows thanks to someone else! Choose a well-trained professional with plenty of good reviews. You can also look at the beautician’s online photos to see the results they give to their other clients.

In Summary

Overplucked eyebrows can leave you with problems for a lifetime, with many people unable to regrow their brows in later life because of it. Thankfully, there are some useful methods to help regrow the hair, including eyebrow serums, hair loss medications, and eyebrow transplants. Plus, in the meantime, you can always hide your thin, patchy brows with well-placed makeup.

Are you interested in an eyebrow hair transplant? We are experts in the FUE method here at Harley Street Hair Clinic. If you want to see what our treatment can do, check out our patients gallery. We’d be more than happy to make you our next happy client!

Sources:

1. https://taylorandrew.com/eyebrows-throughout-history/#:~:text=The%201990’s,the%20look%20in%20the%201990’s.
2. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/body-odd/brow-beat-can-overplucked-eyebrows-ever-grow-back-flna1c6437184
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/why-do-we-have-eyebrows#Whats-the-purpose-of-eyebrows?
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/eyebrow-transplant#:~:text=Eyebrow%20hair%20grafts%20are%20taken,initial%20transferred%20ones%20fall%20out.