What should I do if my eyebrow hair follicles are damaged and my eyebrows won't grow?

Under normal circumstances, damaged hair follicles leading to the inability of eyebrows to grow may be caused by excessive plucking, cosmetic irritation, physical trauma, seborrheic dermatitis, or folliculitis. Treatments such as eyebrow tattooing, microneedling therapy, eyebrow transplantation, or medication can be performed under the guidance of a doctor. It is recommended to visit a reputable hospital and undergo related procedures under medical supervision to ensure effectiveness and safety. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Excessive Plucking

Frequent and excessive eyebrow plucking may directly damage hair follicles, resulting in impaired follicle function and preventing normal eyebrow growth. It is advisable to minimize plucking frequency; if shaping is needed, use an eyebrow razor to gently remove stray hairs instead of pulling them out from the root. Alternatively, eyebrow tattooing can be performed under medical guidance—this involves implanting plant-based pigments into the eyebrow area to enhance shape. The typical reference cost for eyebrow tattooing ranges from 500 to 3,000 yuan per session, with visible improvement usually seen within 7–10 days. However, potential side effects include infection or allergic reactions.

2. Cosmetic Irritation

Long-term use of low-quality cosmetics such as eyebrow pencils or powders, or incomplete makeup removal, may lead to follicular damage and inhibit eyebrow growth. It is recommended to choose reliable, non-irritating cosmetic products and use gentle cleansers to thoroughly remove makeup. Microneedling aesthetic therapy may also be considered under a doctor’s advice. This procedure creates microscopic channels on the eyebrow surface using fine needles to deliver nutrient serums into deeper skin layers, stimulating follicle regeneration and repair, thereby improving eyebrow growth. The typical reference cost is 800–2,000 yuan per session, with noticeable improvement generally appearing within 2–3 days. Possible adverse reactions include redness and pain.

3. Physical Trauma

Physical injuries such as cuts or impacts to the eyebrow area may damage local hair follicles, causing the aforementioned symptoms. These are often accompanied by pain and bleeding. Under medical guidance, topical medications such as human epidermal growth factor gel, madecassoside cream, or Jingwanhong ointment may be used. Eyebrow transplantation may also be considered upon a doctor's recommendation. This procedure involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back of the scalp, processing them, and transplanting them into the eyebrow-deficient areas according to natural eyebrow growth direction and density. The typical reference cost for eyebrow transplantation ranges from 3,000 to 10,000 yuan per session, with visible results usually appearing after 3–6 months. Potential complications include infection and bleeding.

4. Seborrheic Dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis may be associated with factors such as Malassezia infection and excessive sebum production. The inflammatory response can interfere with follicular function, leading to halted eyebrow growth. Symptoms often include erythema, papules, and scaling. Under medical supervision, treatments may include ketoconazole shampoo, selenium sulfide shampoo, or oral vitamin B2 tablets.

5. Folliculitis

Folliculitis is commonly caused by bacterial infections, and the resulting inflammation may damage hair follicles and impair eyebrow growth. Symptoms may include papules and pustules. Treatment should follow medical advice and may involve topical application of fusidic acid cream, mupirocin ointment, or erythromycin ointment.

Maintaining cleanliness and proper care of the eyebrow area is essential in daily life. Avoid using harsh cleansing products or irritating cosmetics to prevent secondary damage to the eyebrow hair follicles.