Sparse eyebrows are no fun, especially when eyebrow trends are all about being lush and bushy. While yes, sparse brows can suck and be a pain in the butt to fix, that's not to say there isn't a way you can get full beautiful brows.
It's definitely something that may not happen overnight. It might take a few different tries to really figure out what's going on and how to fix it, but we think it'll all be worth it in the end.
Here at TatBrow, we take brows very seriously, and we know how much a solid set of brows can do for anyone's look. If you're looking to up your brow game, then you're in the right place! Let's dive into all things sparse brows.
Why Do You Have Sparse Brows
Having sparse brows can be totally frustrating, and figuring out why you suffer from them in the first place can be the worst of your troubles. Knowing what causes your thin brows is the first step to getting them looking normal again.
Sometimes It’s Genetics
As much as you don't want to admit it, sometimes your sparse brows are just genetics, and they were passed down from your parents. Your eyebrows are inherited, so if either of your parents has thin or sparse brows, that might be where you got it from.
You’ve Over-Plucked in the Past
It's sad to say or admit out loud, but sometimes your thin and sparse brows are a result of years of over-plucking. If you were unfortunate enough to grow up in the time of over-plucked, pencil-thin brows, then you know what we're talking about.
Every time you tweeze, thread, or wax your brows, the area you're grooming is going under a great amount of stress. Spending hours at a time making sure your brows were just as paper-thin as your favorite celebrities in high school is probably why you're trying every remedy in the book to get your brows back.
Unbalanced Diet
While everyone may think they have a decent diet and that they're getting all their needed supplements and nutrients, a lot of the time, they're wrong. You can eat a healthy, balanced diet and still struggle to meet the daily vitamins and minerals you should be consuming.
The human body requires a certain amount of carbs, fats, and proteins to perform to the best of its abilities. The amount of each varies from the size of the person and their activity levels. Someone very active will require more calories and minerals, just as if someone that weighs more does.
Your amino, fatty acid, vitamins, and mineral consumption can all affect your hair growth, so if you lack in any of these departments, it can cause hair loss.
Upping your vitamin and mineral intake can work wonders for your brows and overall hair and skin health. There are a few that specifically aid hair health that we always suggest.
- Biotin
- Vitamin B-7
- Vitamin C (collagen development)
- Iron
- Vitamins E, B-12, and D
- Cysteine
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Each of these vitamins can help your brow health in different ways. We know it can be hard to fit every vitamin and mineral you need into your diet solely by the foods you eat, so that is why we suggest everyone take a multivitamin.
You may have to select a few vitamins on top of the multi-vitamin, but honestly, it takes two minutes in the morning to take them with your coffee. If it can get your brows looking good, then why not, right?
Stress and Anxiety
Suppose you're under-going a ton of new stress or have recently started suffering from anxiety. In that case, we may have found the reason for your recent hair loss dilemma. Hair loss from stress or anxiety is a very real thing and shouldn't be something taken lightly.
Your mental health should always be seen as just as or more important than your physical health. After all, it must be pretty serious if you're losing your hair over it.
How Does Stress and Anxiety Cause Hair Loss?
It's weird to think that your mental state could affect your hair health and growth, so we want to break down exactly how it happens and why.
It all starts with the hormone Telogen Effluvium. When a surplus of this hormone is in the body, one of the side effects is that it can push your hair follicles into a resting phase. Then after being in the rest phase for a few months, they will begin to fall out with a simple brush through the hair or face washing.
Another common issue that causes sparse brows is a health condition caused by stress, called Trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is triggered by stress, and it causes you to pluck and pick at your hair. Where you choose to pick is dependent on your condition.
Sometimes people will pick at their head hair, and other times, their eyebrows or eyelashes. You can be born with Trichotillomania, too, so while sometimes it is developed due to stress, other times it will be something that you'll always have to deal with.
Sometimes if you suffer from certain skin conditions like psoriasis or Alopecia areata, both can cause your hair to fall out. Similar to psoriasis, alopecia areata is when your body's immune system attacks your hair follicles. While stress isn't the only reason you may have developed this skin condition, it is a very common factor in most cases.
Hair loss from stress doesn't have to be something you deal with forever. If you can get your stress levels down, that should resolve your hair loss issue. Of course, managing your stress is difficult and can be a hard task, but that doesn't mean it should be completely ignored.
We're going to share a few helpful tips on managing your stress levels and keeping a cool (hair-filled) head 24/7.
Skin Issues
If you suffer from certain skin conditions, then this can be causing your hair loss. Yes, all skin issues or conditions are different in their own way. Still, a common side effect is leaving your skin red, itchy, and irritated. If your flare-ups or problems areas are around in on under your eyebrow hairs, then this could be the reason they're falling out.
Common skin issues that could be causing your hair loss are
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis): Eczema is a very common skin disease. It is known for causing hair loss in its problem areas and during bad flare-ups. Luckily for you, eczema is treatable. Once you've found the right creams and lotions, it can be maintained as well.
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to produce too quickly. This is what causes those itchy red patches all over the body. These patches can block hair growth and cause your hair to stop growing.
- Contact dermatitis: Contact dermatitis is caused by an allergic reaction to something. You will most likely feel an itching burning sensation, and if the reaction is happening near the brows, this can affect your hair growth.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis can lead to bad dandruff. It is a fungal growth and is caused by an overproduction of oil on your skin. Dandruff can lead to hair loss or stop hair growth, so it makes sense that the two correlate.
- Tinea capitis (ringworm): Ringworm is something you may have had as a child, and it's very common in grade school-aged children. Ringworm is a type of fungus that causes red, inflamed, and itchy patches on the skin. Usually, there will only be one or two, but they will be all over in tough cases. If they're in areas with a lot of hair, expect this to affect your hair growth.
How To Fix Your Sparse Brows
The reason you're suffering from sparse brows may vary, but unless it was simply passed down from your parents, there is most likely a solution.
Quit Over-Plucking
Over-plucking your brows is a very real thing, and the best way to get your brow thick again is by putting down the tweezers completely. Don't pluck, wax or thread for a few months. Let your brows run wild for a little bit.
When you see that they're at your desired fullness and you do decide to pluck them again, we suggest going to a professional. The brow tech will reshape your brows and have them looking in tip-top shape.
Take Your Diet Seriously
Making sure you're getting all the right vitamins and minerals is one of the first steps to ensuring you have healthy hair and skin. It might be tricky to get all the good stuff in, so we suggest starting to take a multivitamin.
Keep Your Stress Levels at Bay
Stress can be one of the trickiest things to manage because the factors are somewhat out of our control. Usually, stress is caused by things like busy schedules and heavy workloads, which are all things you need to just deal with.
However, there are plenty of ways you can keep your stress levels under control. It's all dependent on how much you want to prioritize yourself and your "me time."
Filling In Your Sparse Brows
While growing your brows back is the more permanent solution, they aren't going to grow overnight, so it's important to have a way to fill in your brows for the time being.
Microblade Pen
Here at TatBrow, when it comes to filling in your brows, we always say you can't go wrong with our Microblade Pen. It gives you that salon look without that hefty price tag, not to mention you can do it in the comfort of your own home.
We always suggest going in afterward with a makeup brush or spoolie and combing through the brows when you're using it. This will ensure a natural look, as well keeping any stray hairs tamed and under control.
When you use the Microblade Pen, it can sometimes look more pigmented in areas your head favors. You don't become a pro overnight, so don't get frustrated if it doesn't look perfect on the first go-around. The spoolie will help you correct any mistakes!
In Conclusion
It’s no secret that sparse or thin eyebrows are a pain, we know! But honestly, they’re something that we’re sure everyone has dealt with at least once in their life. We’ve all over-plucked, and we’ve all had a disaster salon visit.
They’re nothing to be embarrassed over, and with all the different makeup products you have to choose from, you could shave your brows clean off and probably still be able to get on-point brows somehow.
Of course, hair loss is a little bit of a different story and isn’t as easily corrected or fixed, but all it takes is trial and error. You first need to figure out what is causing your hair loss and then go from there.
If it isn’t just plain old age, then it’s most likely stress or diet-related. Yes, skin issues are a common reason; however, those are pretty noticeable and easily caught. Thin brows can be upsetting sometimes, but being patient is key. They’ll be back to normal in no time!
Sources:
Can stress cause hair loss? | Mayoclinic
Why Do We Have Eyebrows? | Healthline
What's Causing My Eyebrow Hair Loss, and How Can I Treat It? | Healthline