What to Do If You Have Thinning Eyebrows

By: Crystal Fenton | Jan 18, 2022

Brows can be your best accessory — or the bane of your existence if you're experiencing any sort of eyebrow loss. Fluffy, full arches accentuate and make eyes pop, while thin eyebrows can drag down your overall look. So, what should you do if you’ve got slightly sparse brows that could use a boost?

If you’re struggling with getting your brows to grow, read on. We spoke to pros for their expert advice. Plus, find out what products you really should be using to bolster your brows.

What Triggers Thinning Eyebrows?

For those with eyebrow thinning, you're not alone. Thinning brows triggers range from being too tweezer-happy to skin issues to more serious conditions, such as hypothyroidism, which impairs the thyroid gland, or other medical concerns. Sparse eyebrows may indicate something is amiss in your wellness routine.

“There are several reasons why someone may experience hair thinning of the eyebrows," said Gina Daddona, brow expert, esthetician and makeup artist. "Overtweezing, waxing or threading over time may destroy hair follicles. Other reasons may include hormonal imbalances related to aging or changes in the thyroid hormone. Certain skin conditions including atopic dermatitis or psoriasis may also be to blame, as well as hair loss due to alopecia, or treatments including chemotherapy and radiation.”

In some more serious and rare cases, other factors that may cause eyebrow hair loss include frontal fibrosing alopecia, a type of hair loss that develops on the scalp as a receding hairline and can also impact the brow hairs.

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First, Figure out the Cause

According to Shaughnessy Otsuji, owner and artist at Studio Sashiko, thinning hair in the brows can be the result of something you created (think: overtweezing) or something that may be out of your control, like a medical treatment or condition.

"We specialize in restoring the look of natural eyebrows for those who have experienced hair loss due to alopecia areata, chemotherapy, trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder) or other auto-immune disorders and those who have eyebrow hair loss due to burns and skin grafts," said Otsuji. "Clients who overtweezed in the early 2000s are also a main percentage of our clientele."

Then, there are other common culprits that play a role in overall and hair wellness, including that of your eyebrow hair, namely nutritional deficiencies and stress.

"Thinning brows can be caused by external factors like excessive sun exposure or internal factors like stress or a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, such as an iron deficiency,” said René de la Garza, celebrity brow artist.

Next, Find the Fix

Now for the good news: Options abound to give thinning eyebrows the TLC they deserve. To treat alopecia areata that leads to thinner brows, consider spot-treating the brow area with a serum to stimulate hair growth. For those that have gone overboard plucking, learning how to tweeze properly, along with the use of a clinically proven, all-natural brow-bolstering serum, like GRO Brow Serum, which contains powerful phyto-actives, may help.

"There are several eyebrow growth serums on the market that, when used consistently, can aid in the regrowth of eyebrow hairs," said Daddona. "Decide if you are someone who doesn’t mind applying makeup or growth serums daily, or [if] you would like a more semi-permanent solution. Do your research and seek brow professionals to help you decide what may be best for you. Sometimes a good brow shaping and instruction in enhancing them from a brow expert is all you need to start."

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When to Seek Professional Help

In certain cases of thinning brows, a doctor visit or prescription may be needed. If you experience any sudden or unexpected eyebrow hair loss, be sure to consult with your doctor.

“I would recommend going to see a doctor if hair loss is happening not only on the face but on the body as well," said Marissa Mujica, StyleSeat esthetician and brow expert. "That usually means there is an imbalance somewhere. It could be many things like high blood pressure medication, thyroid gland issues and sometimes even genetics or related to stress.”

Options such as microblading, which involves using semi-permanent ink to sketch on hairlike strokes to create the look of thicker eyebrows, may be best for those where regrowth of eyebrow hair is no longer possible, according to Daddona.

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Pro Tips to Elevate Your Arches

Boost your brows by implementing these expert ideas.

Prioritize Hair Wellness

"Healthy hair starts with healthy skin, and healthy skin is all about what you put in your body," said Ariana Rose, StyleSeat cosmetologist and brow expert. "Take care of your brows by treating them like any other hair on your body."

Consistency is Key

"If you have thin brows and want to increase hair growth, try a brow serum," said Rose. "They work! Remember that consistency is key; use it each day."

Take your brows to the next level with GRO Brow Serum or GRO+ Advanced Brow Serum, with microencapsulated, full-spectrum hemp. Apply twice a day in the first two months, followed by once a day after, for best results. Both formulas contain powerful phyto-actives that have been clinically proven to support healthier, thicker brows (with visible results in as soon as 30 days!) and feature a soothing, quick-dry formula.

Allow Brows to Breathe

"It’s important to always remove your makeup at the end of the day to allow your brows and skin to breathe at night," said Otsuji. "A brow serum or deep moisturizer can be helpful during this process to help moisturize and nourish the brow area and any surrounding dry skin."

Make Daily Use of Makeup

If permanent makeup isn't your thing, try regular brow tinting and daily brow makeup.

"These are great temporary solutions to create the look of eyebrows," advised Otsuji."A brow powder can help fill in areas of concern. I recommend using a very fine tip brow pen or pencil to draw individual strokes throughout the brow for the most realistic effect."

Put Down the Tweezers

Ditch the tweezers, threading or waxing for as long as you possibly can to give your eyebrow hair follicles a chance to grow in fully.

Cleanse, Clarify and Condition

"You can incorporate brow care into your daily routine," said de la Garza. "If you use any brow makeup products, it's important to make sure that you are removing them daily. A gentle cleansing balm is a great idea. It's extremely important to moisturize your brows daily to prevent breakage or fall out. For sparse areas that do not grow, consider a brow growth serum to boost new growth.”

You can also dry brush brow hairs with a mascara wand, according to Rose. "It’s the same idea with brushing your hair, helping to stimulate and distribute natural oils through [the] hair to keep it hydrated."

Be Patient

“I think that after six months of consistent brow care and seeing a professional brow artist that will "rehab" your brows back to a fuller shape is a good indicator of how your brows will grow back, if at all," said de la Garza.

Get a Professional Brow Map

"To help clients see what needs to grow in, I brow map them, marking where the eyebrow should start, arch and end based on eye shape and bone structure," said Mujica. "This shows what will be removed and where hair still needs to grow."

Take a Supplement

“Take biotin for a month," said Mujica. "It'll help stimulate hair growth for the surrounding areas." To get the daily recommended allowance of biotin (and a whole host of other hair-healthy vitamins), consider adding a daily biotin gummy to your routine. Look for one that features biotin, folic acid and zinc, plus vitamins B-5,6 and 12 and A, C and E for fuller-looking hair.

Integrate Whole Body Holistic Health

Your path to hair wellness, including fuller, thicker brows, begins from within. Nourish your mind, body, skin and hair by minimizing stress, getting adequate rest, maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising and applying brow-boosting products as a mindful, self-care ritual.