It happens to the best of us … one hair, two hairs, three hairs plucked, and then – oops! We went too far. And what’s left can only be described as part of an eyebrow. What happens when we make this tragic mistake year after year, is that we hinder the natural ability of our eyebrow hairs to grow in as thick and full as they once did. What now!?
Well … if you are like the millions of women (and men) who keep you good company with sparse eyebrows, you can choose from any number of brow fillers including pencils, powders and gels. But many wonder, “Will my eyebrows ever fully grow back?”
Here the 5 best solutions to regrowing eyebrows:
Supplement Your Diet.
There are specific nutrients that your body needs in order to produce healthy, thick hairs on your head and everywhere else, like your eyebrows and lashes. These nutrients include amino acids (protein), omega-3 (essential fats), vitamins A, B, C, E and minerals iron, selenium and zinc. (1) You can get more of these nutrients into your diet by eating whole natural foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Or you can opt for a dietary supplement of one, or a few of these nutrients for hair growth. Ask your doctor for the right dosage and combination for you, and NEVER start a supplement regimen without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Oil Up.
There are many different plant-derived oils that are well-known to boost hair growth. These include the volatile plant essences known as essential oils. The best essential oils for hair growth include peppermint, rosemary, cedarwood, thyme, and lavender. (2-4)
Beeswax.
The way that beeswax works to promote hair growth is not direct, however by locking the natural moisture inside of hair follicles (also known as sebum) beeswax may help to stimulate hair growth. To use it, simply apply a thick coat of beeswax to your eyebrows and allow it to set overnight. Alternatively, you can use petroleum jelly.
Aloe Vera.
The gooey meat of the aloe vera plant is loaded with nutrients for hair growth. They include vitamins including A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B6, all 8 essential amino acids needed to nourish new healthy hair. Also a well-known skin hydrator, aloe vera gel works wonders on sensitive skin, to support damaged hair follicles and promote new hair growth.
Onion Extract.
This stinky vegetable contains a compound called sulfur, which aids in the production of collagen – a protein needed to form new strong hair strands. You can purchase onion extracts as an essential oil or in a dropper bottle. Alternatively, you may choose a garlic extract to promote hair growth in thinning areas of your eyebrows, as it also contains large amounts of naturally occurring sulfur.
How Long Will it Take to Regrow My Eyebrows?
Over the years, you may have done a little too much tweezing, waxing, threading, shaving or over plucking. Never fear! Regrowth IS possible. The growth cycle of your eyebrows is slower than that of the hair on your head – about 5 to 6 months. That means that you can expect your brow hairs to grow back at about 1/3 of that rate of speed (about 60-65 days). So, just be patient!
In the meantime, if you would like to liven up your eyebrows, try Beverly Hills MD Lash Enhancer. It’s not just for longer, thicker lashes. It can help sparse eyebrows grow in fuller and thicker, too!
For more beauty tips, keep reading:
Why You Should Massage Your Face While Cleansing
Sources:
1. Ablon Glynis, MD, FAAD. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Nov; 5(11): 28–34.
2.Ji Young Oh, Min Ah Park. Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicol Res. 2014 Dec; 30(4): 297–304.
3. Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015 Jan-Feb;13(1):15-21.
4. Hay IC, Jamieson M. Randomized trial of aromatherapy. Successful treatment for alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol. 1998 Nov;134(11):1349-52.
5. Ashley Nieves, BA, Luis A. Garza, MD-PhD. Does Prostaglandin D2 hold the cure to male pattern baldness?
Mediators Inflamm. 2012;2012:503128.