Do Eyebrows Grow Back? Experts Break It Down

Whether you regret your pencil-thin '90s brows or just noticed that your arches aren't as full as they used to be, you're probably asking the beauty gods (or Google), "Do eyebrows grow back?" If this is you, you've come to the right place.

First things first: don't panic. If you're experiencing brow loss, all hope isn't lost for regrowth. We asked board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at the Shafer Clinic Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, and New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, for their advice on how to get your brows back.

Causes of Brow Loss

There are many things that can contribute to brow hair loss. Dr. Engelman lists the following as the most common causes:

• Overplucking and over tweezing
• Stress and changes to your hormone levels
• Skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and eczema
• Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia and psoriasis
• Diet and lack of essential vitamins and nutrients
• Genetics

Do Eyebrows Grow Back?

Brow hair does grow back — for the most part. But there is a chance that it may not, depending on the cause of the hair loss and how much damage was done to the hair follicle. "Tweezing, waxing, or other methods of hair removal over the years can damage hair follicles, preventing regrowth over time," says Dr. King. "The traumatized hair follicles may scar over time, in which case the hair will not grow back."

Dr. Engelman adds that certain auto-immune conditions, hormone imbalances, and medications can also prohibit brows from growing back. She says the follicle must still be present for the hair to have any shot at returning to its full form. If it's there, it can grow back with care and treatment.