Eyebrow Transplant in India

What Happens During An Eyebrow Transplant?

The most common techniques used for an eyebrow transplant are FUE (follicular unit extraction) and DHI (direct hair implantation). Depending on the technique chosen, the procedure may vary slightly. 

The steps involved in the procedure are explained below- 

• First, anesthesia is administered by the surgeon in the donor area to harvest healthy hair grafts. The donor area is made accessible by trimming the hair, and the desired eyebrow shape is created. 
• The surgeon uses a punch device or scalpel to extract the hair grafts with precision. The hair grafts are placed separately in a chilled saline solution and arranged in the order they will be implanted. 
• All hairs that need to be implanted are not extracted at once, as the out-of-body time of the follicles should be less than one hour. 
• The surgeon uses an implanter device to implant the hair follicles in the eyebrow region. The hair growth direction and angle are also considered during the implantation. In some cases, a slit is made in the skin before implanting the hair follicles. 
• Once all the grafts are implanted, the donor and recipient areas are cleaned and left open to heal. 

The entire procedure takes around 3 to 5 hours to complete. For some patients, the duration may be longer depending on the number of hairs that need to be implanted.

What to Expect After Eyebrow Transplant Surgery?

The patient can expect to feel slight discomfort, redness, bruising, and haziness right after the surgery. He/she is likely to feel disoriented due to the effects of anesthesia. Thus, it’ll be best for the patient to arrange a ride home.

As the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient is discharged the same day after giving a detailed post-surgery care guide. The next day, the treated area may start to swell up, and in the next few days, scabs or crusts may also start to form over the implanted follicles.

Potential Side Effects & Risks of Eyebrow Transplant

The potential side effects and risks of an eyebrow transplant include the following- 

• In some cases, the transplanted hair follicles don’t take root in the skin, which causes patchy hair growth. 
• The shape of the eyebrows may not be symmetrical after the surgery. 
• Hair growth and texture might be different than natural eyebrow hairs. 
• Infection may occur at the donor or recipient site. 
• The implanted follicles may become inflamed and infected, leading to a condition called folliculitis. 
• The bruising and swelling may persist for a long period. 

Benefits of Eyebrow Transplant

Getting an eyebrow transplant has the following benefits- 

• Denser Eyebrows- Once the implanted hairs start to grow, the patient will have denser and thicker eyebrows that will enhance their facial features. 
• Boost Self-Confidence- Both men and women with thin eyebrows often feel conscious about their appearance. Once they get the desired shape and density, their self-image will improve, which will further give them confidence. 
• Minimally Invasive Procedure- The techniques used for an eyebrow transplant are minimally invasive. Hence, there is minimal blood loss, scarring, and risks associated with the treatment. 
• Long-lasting Solution- Eyebrow transplant surgery results are long-lasting as it involves using healthy hair follicles that are likely to retain the ability to grow new hair for a very long time. Thus, the patient won’t have to rely on makeup products to make their eyebrows look denser and thicker. 
• Natural Results- As the patient’s own hairs are used for the transplant, the color and texture of the implanted hairs match the eyebrow hairs. Thus, the results look completely natural. 

Recovery Timeline After Eyebrow Transplant

Recovery after an eyebrow transplant can take up to 4 to 6 weeks. The healing process after an eyebrow transplant is quicker than other hair transplant treatments. The patient will be able to resume normal activities within a week and all activities after several weeks. 

To ensure that the recovery is quick and smooth, the doctor will provide instructions, such as 

• Take the prescribed antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, steroids, etc., as directed by the doctor. 
• Keep the donor and recipient area clean and dry. Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean the areas. 
• Avoid touching the eyebrows completely, as it can increase the risks of infection in the recipient area. 
• Wear bandages as advised and change them frequently as directed by the doctor or his/her team. 
• Don’t wash your eyebrows without the doctor’s permission. It’s usually safe for the patients to wash their face and eyebrows after 5 to 7 days. 
• Crusts or scabs will start to form over the implanted hairs within 5 to 10 days. Do not try to peel them off forcibly. They will start falling on their own after some time. 
• Avoid engaging in strenuous activities until the donor and recipient areas have healed completely. 
• Take regular follow-ups with the doctor to ensure there are no signs of post-op complications. 

It is crucial to follow the post-op care tips given by the doctor to get the best results and prevent post-surgery complications.

Results of Eyebrow Transplant

The final results of an eyebrow transplant can take around 3 to 9 months to appear. The results appear gradually over the months. 

• Within 2 weeks after the surgery, the patient will experience shock loss, which is a natural process. The implanted hair will fall to make space for the new hair. 
• The initial hair growth will become noticeable within 2 to 3 months, but the hair will be thin and very small. The hair will need proper nourishment during this period. Thus, the patient is advised to take a healthy diet and use products such as saline or silicone gel to promote hair growth. 
• In 4 to 6 months, the hair growth will become noticeable, and the thickness will continue to improve. The scars on the eyebrow will also fade away and be covered by the hair. 
• After 9 months, the eyebrow will become denser and thicker. The hair will still continue to grow, and the patient will be allowed to trim and style them as desired. 

Eyebrow Transplant Cost in India

The cost of an eyebrow transplant in India ranges from Rs. 6000 to Rs.30000. The overall cost of treatment varies for each patient depending on the following factors- 

• The technique used for the transplant (FUE or DHI)
• The city where the patient is getting treatment
• Choice of the hospital (government or private, super-specialty or multi-specialty)
• Anesthesia fee 
• Surgeon’s consultation and operating fee 
• The overall number of grafts
• Post-surgery care and follow-up consultations 

As the treatment is purely cosmetic, it is not covered by health insurance under any circumstances. Thus, the patient has to cover the expenses personally.