Sejal K. Shah, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who
utilizes the latest treatments and technologies to enhance her patients’
natural beauty. Practicing all aspects of dermatology with an expertise in and
emphasis on cosmetic dermatology, lasers, and hair loss, Dr. Shah works with a
diverse range of skin types. She has a private practice in
Manhattan, and she teaches at the cosmetic clinic at Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in New York, where she received her degree.
Scalp hair loss may be a common complaint among men and
women, but in my practice, loss of eyebrow hair is a major concern among my
female patients. Because eyebrows frame the face, hair loss in this area can
dramatically change one’s appearance, and since eyebrow hair loss is not easily
concealed, it can be, for some women, an even more devastating loss than scalp
hair loss.
I can’t tell you how many women come into my office fretting about the fact that they’ve over-plucked. While this is certainly a possibility (plucking the eyebrows damages the hair follicle, and with repeated plucking, the follicle can get damaged to the point that it can no longer produce a hair), there are actually a number of both external and internal causes and conditions that can lead to temporary or permanent loss of eyebrows.
I can’t tell you how many women come into my office fretting about the fact that they’ve over-plucked. While this is certainly a possibility (plucking the eyebrows damages the hair follicle, and with repeated plucking, the follicle can get damaged to the point that it can no longer produce a hair), there are actually a number of both external and internal causes and conditions that can lead to temporary or permanent loss of eyebrows.
External
Several skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis, don’t directly lead to hair loss, but cause inflammation (a symptom of these conditions) near the brow that may be to blame. The urge to scratch and rub the inflamed area can indirectly cause eyebrow hairs to fall out. Loss that occurs in this manner is usually patchy, but as it is generally non-scarring (the hair follicle is intact), eyebrows can and often do grow back.
An infection that affects the hair follicle or the hair shaft can also lead to eyebrow hair loss. Like an inflammatory condition, an infection may have associated inflammation that can cause hair loss. A skin growth in the brow area, for example. whether it’s benign (like a mole) or cancerous, may push the hair out, too.
Several skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis, don’t directly lead to hair loss, but cause inflammation (a symptom of these conditions) near the brow that may be to blame. The urge to scratch and rub the inflamed area can indirectly cause eyebrow hairs to fall out. Loss that occurs in this manner is usually patchy, but as it is generally non-scarring (the hair follicle is intact), eyebrows can and often do grow back.
An infection that affects the hair follicle or the hair shaft can also lead to eyebrow hair loss. Like an inflammatory condition, an infection may have associated inflammation that can cause hair loss. A skin growth in the brow area, for example. whether it’s benign (like a mole) or cancerous, may push the hair out, too.
Internal
But, interestingly — and what most people don’t initially realize — is that eyebrow hair loss is often a sign of an internal disease. The classic example of this is an under-active or over-active thyroid. Loss of the outer third of the eyebrow, in particular, is a characteristic sign of an under-active thyroid. Fortunately, thyroid conditions are easily treatable, usually with oral medications, but the medications generally have to be taken for life. The eyebrows should grow back, but there is always the possibility that they may not. The thyroid gland plays a huge role in our bodies, so it is important to have any thyroid issues treated.
But, interestingly — and what most people don’t initially realize — is that eyebrow hair loss is often a sign of an internal disease. The classic example of this is an under-active or over-active thyroid. Loss of the outer third of the eyebrow, in particular, is a characteristic sign of an under-active thyroid. Fortunately, thyroid conditions are easily treatable, usually with oral medications, but the medications generally have to be taken for life. The eyebrows should grow back, but there is always the possibility that they may not. The thyroid gland plays a huge role in our bodies, so it is important to have any thyroid issues treated.
Other hormonal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and
nutritional deficiencies may also be associated with eyebrow loss. In some
instances, eyebrow hair loss can be a reaction to a medication. Hair Loss
Conditions
Scalp hair loss may affect the eyebrows. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causes a non-scarring loss (so the hair follicles are still there), which may appear as bald spots or total brow loss. But, aside from the hair loss, the skin looks completely normal.Lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia inflammatory conditions, in which the inflammation destroys the hair follicle, can cause a scar or permanent hair loss (usually present as red patches with redness and scale around each hair follicle). In the very advanced stages, they may appear as smooth, bald patches where the hair follicles have been destroyed. Androgenetic hair loss is another non-scarring type. The most common type of hair loss, it is due to the complex interplay of genes, hormones, and age.
Scalp hair loss may affect the eyebrows. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causes a non-scarring loss (so the hair follicles are still there), which may appear as bald spots or total brow loss. But, aside from the hair loss, the skin looks completely normal.Lichen planopilaris and frontal fibrosing alopecia inflammatory conditions, in which the inflammation destroys the hair follicle, can cause a scar or permanent hair loss (usually present as red patches with redness and scale around each hair follicle). In the very advanced stages, they may appear as smooth, bald patches where the hair follicles have been destroyed. Androgenetic hair loss is another non-scarring type. The most common type of hair loss, it is due to the complex interplay of genes, hormones, and age.
courtesy: Yahoo Beauty
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