Why Are My Eyebrow Hair Transplants Falling Out?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had eyebrow hair transplants 12 days ago. Anyway, it seems like the transplanted hairs have been falling out these past few days. There wasn’t much crusting or scabbing, and I have not noticed any blood on my eyebrows. I’ve spoken with my surgeon who has told me that it’s normal for the transplanted hairs to fall out. But I’m still a little concerned, which is why I would like your opinion as to whether this shedding is normal? If so, why do these transplanted hairs fall out and not continue growing?

A: The basic concept of any hair transplantation procedure, including eyebrow hair transplants, is to do follicular (hair bulb) transfer and implantation. The hair shaft is merely a handle by which to do that. It provides a convenient means to move the hair follicle into a new site. The shock of the transplantation procedure causes the shedding of the dead hair shaft 10 to 14 days after the procedure and is both expected and normal. The transferred hair bulbs are intact under the skin and new hair will not be seen until grows out from the follicle. Given the rate of hair growth, it will take months to see new hair emerge and a full six months to have the desires hair length that you seek.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana