Is It Possible To Grow Eyebrows Back?

You’ve recently been a bit overzealous with plucking, shaving or waxing your eyebrows — with less than stellar results. Our message to you: Don’t panic. There’s hope for your eyebrows.

So, how long does it take for eyebrows to grow back?

“Most of the time, they grow back within a few months,” says dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD. “It depends on many factors, including the method you used and how traumatic it is for your hair, but you won’t be stuck with thin or no eyebrows forever.”

Do eyebrows grow back?

In most cases, yes. When it comes to eyebrow regrowth, patience is key. It can take at least two to three months to see hair growth.

But many factors can affect eyebrow growth, like:

• How often you shave, wax or pluck: For example, do you pluck your brows once every few weeks — or every day? “It’s about how traumatized the hair gets,” explains Dr. Khetarpal. “If you pluck your eyebrow hair every day, you’re doing damage, maybe even causing scarring. Then, the hairs won’t grow back.”
• Your age: Thinning hair isn’t just a scalp problem. “As we get older, we lose some amount of hair, including eyebrow hairs,” she explains.
• Underlying health conditions: Because thyroid function affects both your skin and the hair on your head, a thyroid condition can lead to brow thinning. Anemia (a common blood disorder) or deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, biotin or zinc can also slow or stop hair growth.

What can I do to help eyebrows grow back faster?

There’s no miracle cure for growing back your eyebrows. But making certain changes to your eyebrow regimen can help speed up growth.

1. Rethink how you groom your eyebrows

Regardless of your eyebrow grooming method, treat them like a relationship that needs repair: Give them the space and time they need.

“But if you’re looking in the magnifying mirror every day, obsessing over each hair, your eyebrows will never get the chance to recover,” warns Dr. Khetarpal.

That means you should limit how often you pluck, wax or shave that area.

2. Pay attention to your diet

Eating a well-balanced diet — think foods with antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamin C — can help with eyebrow growth.

And if you aren’t getting needed nutrients from food, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider about supplements. Here are some to consider:

• A multivitamin: There are plenty of over-the-counter options available, but it’s important to note that a multivitamin may only help with eyebrow hair growth if you have a nutritional deficiency.
• An iron supplement: “Getting enough iron is important,” says Dr. Khetarpal. “If you eat red meat fewer than two or three times a week, an iron supplement may be a good idea.”
• An omega-3 supplement: If you don’t regularly eat fish and shellfish, omega-3 supplements have also been shown to be helpful.
• A biotin supplement: Dr. Khetarpal also recommends taking between 3 and 5 milligrams of biotin every day. “That’s a large dose, but since biotin is water-soluble, your body takes what it needs and gets rid of the rest through urine,” she explains.

3. Consider topical products

Bimatoprost (Latisse®) is a prescription topical used to lengthen and thicken eyelashes. “It’s been shown to help brows, too,” says Dr. Khetarpal.

If you prefer the over-the-counter route, try 2% or 5% minoxidil (Rogaine®). While it’s meant for hair growth on the scalp, it can also stimulate hair growth on eyebrows.

But Dr. Khetarpal says there are two cautions for using minoxidil near your eyes:

• It may cause a burning sensation if you get it in your eyes.
• It has a field effect, meaning even if you just put minoxidil on your eyebrows, it’s not uncommon for hair to grow elsewhere on your face.

So, make sure you apply minoxidil with care and use it consistently to see results.

4. See a dermatologist

If you still don’t see the growth you want after four months, it may be time to talk with a dermatologist. They have many non-DIY options you can try, including:

• Platelet-rich plasma injections
• Eyebrow hair transplants

“The hair growth cycle for eyebrows is between three and four months, so you need enough time for the hair to respond to any changes you make,” reiterates Dr. Khetarpal.

Bottom line?

Thick, fuller eyebrows have been all the rage lately. But there’s hope.

Start by taking a break from grooming to give your eyebrows time to recover. Eat a well-balanced diet to make sure you’re getting all of your vital nutrients. And consider talking to a dermatologist about your options, like topical treatments.

“Practice patience and give your brows some time to regrow,” stresses Dr. Khetarpal. “There’s no magic pill that will instantly give you fuller brows. It takes time to see the results from the changes you make.”