Why Am I Losing My Eyebrows?

Eyebrows are some of the most distinctive features of the human face. For some people, their eyebrows form a crucial part of their looks. Also, this facial feature help protect the eyes from dripping sweat.

Understandably, people become alarmed when they notice that their eyebrows are thinning. By knowing what causes hair loss in your eyebrows, you’ll be able to find solutions to protect them from further damage:

Aging

One of the most common causes of eyebrow thinning is old age. Hair quality directly relates to the condition of the hair follicles that produce them. As a person ages, cells in the hair follicles divide less quickly. As a result, hair production slows down.

In aging people, hair color may also start to fade, further decreasing the visibility of the eyebrows. This type of hair deterioration may also affect other areas of the body with hair, such as the scalp.

Malnutrition

Hair production can suffer when you don’t consume enough nutrients. Malnutrition can interfere with cell function, potentially leading to the death of cells crucial for hair production. A lack of certain nutrients may also suppress the manufacture of keratin, the main structural protein found in hair.

A common nutritional deficiency leading to eyebrow hair loss involves zinc and vitamin A. Consuming a diet low in biotin, vitamin C, or omega-3 fatty acids can also lead to hair loss.

Alopecia

Alopecia refers to a family of autoimmune disorders that directly affect hair follicles. The immune system mistakenly identifies parts of skin tissue as foreign material and tries to attack it. As the hair follicles accumulate damage, they can stop functioning correctly, halting hair production.

Hair loss for patients with alopecia occurs in episodes. Between periods where alopecia is inactive, hair growth may resume.

Skin Conditions

Some skin conditions can cause inflammation and dryness, which can suppress hair growth. Itchiness can cause you to keep on scratching your eyebrows, possibly damaging your hair follicles. An example is eczema, a common autoimmune disorder.

Psoriasis is another skin condition that can cause eyebrow hair loss. Another autoimmune disorder, psoriasis triggers skin cells to multiply rapidly. Excess skin tissue can block hair follicles, preventing hair growth.

Hormonal Conditions

Hormones are chemical messengers used by the body to communicate with several bodily tissues. These substances regulate several bodily functions, including hair growth. Hence, irregularities in certain hormones can cause eyebrow hair problems.

Thyroid hormone imbalances tend to affect hair growth the most. Both excess and deficient levels of thyroid hormones can cause eyebrow hair to fall out. A distinctive sign of hypothyroidism, or low thyroid activity, is the loss of hair in one-third of the eyebrow area closest to the sides.

Once the cause of the thyroid imbalance is fixed, hair growth typically resumes to full levels.

Trauma

Direct physical damage to hair follicles can cause your eyebrows to thin out. If you frequently pluck your eyebrows, your hair follicles can get damaged over time. Using makeup or other skincare products with harsh ingredients can also chemically damage your hair follicles.

Hair-Loss Interventions

If you are currently experiencing eyebrow hair thinning or outright hair loss, you should consult medical professionals specializing in hair conditions. They will be able to diagnose the root cause of your problem and recommend the appropriate treatment, such as eyebrow restoration.

If you live in Tacoma, Seattle, or Spokane, make sure to visit Northwest Hair Restoration to receive the best care for hair loss conditions. Dr. Robert Niedbalski and our entire team are ready to help you with your concerns. Call our offices at (253) 572-2949 or fill out our online reservation form to request an appointment.