Hair Health

Eyebrow Hair Loss: Causes and Treatments

by Noophoric
February 14, 2022

Eyebrow Hair Loss: Causes and Treatments

Do you have a bald spot on your eyebrow? Are you starting to lose hair on your eyebrows? Don't worry, you are not alone.

Many people experience eyebrow hair loss at some point in their lives.

In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of eyebrow hair loss and the treatments available. Keep reading for more information!

What is eyebrow hair loss and what causes it?

Eyebrow hair loss, also known as alopecia areata, is a condition that results in the loss of hair on the eyebrows.

The cause of eyebrow hair loss is not entirely understood, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Eyebrow hair loss may occur at any age. It is more common in women than men and usually begins between the ages of 20-30 years old. It often runs in families, but it can also happen for no apparent reason.

For example, people with a family history of autoimmune disorders are more likely to develop eyebrow hair loss.

Eyebrow hair loss may also be caused by other causes, such as thyroid disease or chemotherapy.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks hair follicles, causing them to shrink and stop producing new hairs.

This results in patchy or complete loss of hair on the scalp or other areas of the body where there is a lot of hair growth (e.g., eyebrows).

There are three types of alopecia areata: patchy, totalis and universalis.

Patchy alopecia areata is the most common type; it involves small patches of hair loss on the scalp or other areas where there is a lot of hair growth (e.g., eyebrows).

Totalis and universalis are less common types; they involve complete loss of hair on the scalp or other areas where there is a lot of hair growth (e.g., eyebrows).

Nutrient deficiencies

Eyebrow hair loss may be caused by a deficiency of certain nutrients.

For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause hair loss. Other nutrient deficiencies that may contribute to eyebrow hair loss include iron and protein deficiency, zinc deficiency and biotin (a B vitamin) deficiency.

Tinea capitis (ringworm)

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the hair follicles.

It can cause round, scaly patches on the scalp that are itchy and may be painful.

The fungus spreads from person to person or by contact with infected animals (e.g., cats). It's most common in children between ages five and 15 years old.

Treatment involves antifungal medications taken by mouth or applied directly to the scalp (e.g., shampoo). Over-the-counter treatments are available, but prescription medication is usually necessary for severe cases of tinea capitis infection.

Thyroid disease

Eyebrow hair loss may also be caused by an overactive or underactive thyroid gland.

People with thyroid disease often have thinning hair on their scalp, but they may also lose hair from other parts of the body, including the eyebrows.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy agents are known to cause hair loss, but they can also cause eyebrow hair loss.

In addition to causing patchy or complete loss of eyebrows in people with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment, these medications may also cause temporary eyebrow hair loss in non-cancer patients who take them for other medical conditions (e.g., acne).

Eczema

Eyebrow hair loss may also be a sign of eczema.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes red, itchy and inflamed skin. It can also cause the hair on the scalp and other parts of the body to fall out.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that causes red, flaky and greasy patches on the scalp, face and chest.

People with seborrheic dermatitis often lose hair on their scalp, but they may also lose hair from other parts of the body, including the eyebrows.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an allergic reaction to certain substances that come into contact with the skin.

It can also cause hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss. Common allergens include nickel (found in jewelry), latex (found in rubber gloves) and poison ivy or oak.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin.

People with psoriasis often have hair loss, including eyebrow hair loss.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a condition that causes hair to fall out in large amounts.

It can cause eyebrow hair loss, as well as hair loss on the scalp, beard and other parts of the body.

The most common cause of telogen effluvium is physical or emotional stress. Other causes include childbirth, major surgery, severe illness, crash dieting and iron deficiency anemia.

Stress

Stress can cause eyebrow hair loss.

People who are under a lot of stress often have thinning eyebrows, as well as hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy can also cause eyebrow hair loss.

This is most common in the later stages of pregnancy when large amounts of hormones are released.

Some women lose all their hair after giving birth, including their eyebrows. However, this is usually a temporary condition that resolves within a few months.

Aging

Eyebrow hair loss may also be caused by the aging process.

As people get older, their eyebrows may thin out and look less full than they did when they were younger. This is a normal part of the aging process.

In addition to causing eyebrow hair loss, aging can cause other types of hair loss, including graying hair and hair loss in the temples.

How to treat eyebrow hair loss

The first step in treating eyebrow hair loss is to see your doctor. They will examine you and ask about any medications or supplements that you are taking, as well as any other health conditions that may be contributing factors.

Your doctor may also want to run some tests on blood samples from the area where there has been hair loss so they can determine if there are any underlying medical conditions causing it.

If the results of these tests indicate an autoimmune disorder, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to suppress the immune system and stop it from attacking hair follicles.

In most cases, this will result in new hair growth within three months after starting treatment with corticosteroids. If there is no underlying medical condition causing the hair loss, your doctor may recommend using a minoxidil solution or Rogaine to promote new hair growth.

It is important to note that eyebrow hair loss can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as thyroid disease.

If you are experiencing significant hair loss on your eyebrows, please see your doctor for an evaluation. They can help to diagnose the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.

Supplements to prevent eyebrow hair loss

There are a number of supplements that can help to prevent eyebrow hair loss.

These include biotin, magnesium, zinc and saw palmetto.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in foods like eggs, salmon, beef liver and avocado. It is also available as a supplement.

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for health. It can be found in foods like leafy green vegetables, legumes and nuts. Magnesium supplements are also available.

Zinc is another mineral that is essential for health. It can be found in foods like red meat, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Zinc supplements are also available.

Saw palmetto is an herb that can be found growing wild in Florida and other parts of the United States. It has been used for centuries by Native Americans as a natural remedy to treat urinary tract infections, colds and coughs.

Saw palmetto supplements are also available. If you take any medications or supplements, please consult with your doctor before adding new ones to your regimen.

Tips for those who are experiencing eyebrow hair loss

Be patient, it may take several months for new hair to start growing back.

Use a comb or brush with soft bristles to remove any loose hairs from the area where you have lost them so that they do not get caught in your eyelashes and cause irritation.

Be gentle when styling your eyebrows; avoid using tweezers if possible.

If you must tweeze them, only pluck hairs that are outside of the eyebrow shape.

Apply a moisturizing cream or oil to the area around your eyebrows twice a day to keep them hydrated and healthy.

How to conceal eyebrow hair thinning

If you are experiencing eyebrow hair loss, there are several products on the market that can help to conceal it so that it is not as noticeable.

Concealing pencils and powders can be used to fill in any gaps where hair has been lost. You may also want to use a brow gel or mascara to make your eyebrows look fuller.

Finally, a good way to conceal eyebrow hair loss is to use an eye shadow that is two shades darker than your natural skin tone. Apply it over the entire area where your eyebrows used to be and blend well. This will help to make them less noticeable.