The Lowdown on Male Eyebrow Hair Loss: Causes and Solutions
Eyebrow hair loss can have several causes. The causes can range from genetics to medical conditions, and it can be a significant blow to one’s self-esteem.
However, there are many possible solutions that can reduce eyebrow loss from applying minoxidil to having a hair transplant.
Causes of Eyebrow Hair Loss
Most common causes of eyebrows hair loss are:
- Alopecia areata
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Contact dermatitis
- Tinea Capitis
- Stress And Anxiety
- Aging
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a type of sickness where your own immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, which are responsible for growing hair, causing hair loss in random spots on your scalp.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that causes redness, itching, and irritation. This happens when our immune system overreacts, and it can be a one-time problem or a long-term condition. Since hair follicles are in the skin, eczema can affect hair growth.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a condition where our immune system causes skin cells to grow too quickly, forming thick, scaly patches that can be red and painful. This can block hair follicles and stop eyebrow hair growth.
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis occurs when our skin comes into contact with something that irritates it or causes an allergic reaction. It can make our skin itchy and cause a burning feeling. If the area near our eyebrows is affected, it can interfere with hair growth.
Tinea capitis (ringworm)
Tinea capitis, commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal infection that causes red, itchy, raised patches on the skin. When these patches appear over the eyebrows, it can cause hair loss and bald patches.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can lead to physical changes in our body, including reduced oxygen supply to the hair follicles and hormonal fluctuations. These factors can contribute to hair loss in the eyebrows.
Aging
Men’s testosterone levels start to dwindle when they are in their 40s, which contributes to hair loss in eyebrows.
Solutions on Treating Eyebrow Hair Loss
Steroid Creams or Ointments
Using steroid creams or ointments can help slow down hair loss. Studies have shown that strong topical corticosteroids can improve hair regrowth by 25%, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF).
For treating alopecia areata, doctors may give corticosteroid injections to stimulate hair growth. The NAAF states that people generally start seeing hair growth within 4 weeks after these injections.
Minoxidil
Many people use corticosteroids along with minoxidil to treat hair loss. Applying a 5% minoxidil solution twice a day on the affected area can have some positive effects, although it’s not very strong. You can start combining it with corticosteroids that may lead to better results.
Hair Transplant or Microblading
Hair transplanting or microblading is another option. These procedures don’t make hair grow back, but they can make your eyebrows look fuller by filling in the missing areas.
It’s important to remember that eyebrows naturally shed just like the hair on your head. The problem arises when the follicle gets damaged.
Your eyebrows have a short growth phase of a few weeks, followed by a transition phase of 2-3 weeks. After that, the follicles rest for 2-4 months before shedding. A new eyebrow hair grows in its place from the stem cells surrounding each follicular pore.
However, plucking, pulling, and mistreating your eyebrows can harm the follicles and stem cells, leading to inflammation and poor hair growth.
Related Article:
- How To Groom Eyebrows: Full Men’s Guide
- Best Laser Caps For Hair Growth: Product Reviews
- Understanding the Difference: Mature Hairline vs Receding Hairline
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Prevent Eyebrow Hair Loss?
Don’t pluck too much. If you want to shape your eyebrows, ask a professional for help. Keep in mind that if you damage your eyebrow hairs too much, it may not be able to grow back. But usually, eyebrow hair can grow back unless it has been severely damaged.
Does Supplements Work in Treating Eyebrow Hair Loss?
It’s not surprising that what we put inside our body is as important as anything else. Taking supplements may help improve hair health and growth, which can help keep your eyebrows looking fuller when used with enhancement serums. However, there isn’t much research that shows supplements help with hair growth unless you have a real deficiency in specific nutrients like zinc or iron.