Eyebrow Transplant
Nowadays, eyebrow transplants have many clients due to the important role eyebrows play in facial beauty. However, many potential clients feel anxious because of poor results from past procedures. Most of them have had bad experiences, such as outdated tattoo methods, which makes it hard for them to trust new treatments. With the right consultation, we can help them overcome their concerns, so that every day, they can look in the mirror, smile, and enjoy their natural-looking eyebrows.
Patient Age
Eyebrow transplants for correction or reconstruction can be done at any age. A patient may be younger than 18 but require an eyebrow transplant due to burns, scars, or accidents. However, when the purpose is purely cosmetic, eyebrow transplants are typically done after the age of 18. For all patients, especially those over 50, we must ensure the patient is in good general health. If the patient has a history of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, untreated cancer, infectious diseases, asthma, seizures, or similar conditions, the necessary evaluations will be conducted before the procedure.
Donor Harvesting — Microscopic Follicular Unit Extraction (Procedures)
To harvest the required grafts for eyebrow transplantation, grafts can only be taken from the back of the head. Graft extraction is done in two general ways: surgical and non-surgical methods.
MFUE — Non-surgical Method (M.FUE)
This method is similar to the FUE method used in hair transplants. In this method, grafts are extracted using larger-sized micropunches and a mechanical device. Depending on the number of grafts needed, a section of the back of the head must be trimmed. The harvested grafts are calibrated under specialized microscopes. In this method, the hair shafts are a few millimeters long, and immediately after the procedure, the short shafts are visible. Within one week, the shafts will grow, and the patient will be able to see the results of the transplant.
- Graft Extraction: In this method, individual follicular units are extracted directly from the donor area at the back of the head using a micropunch tool. The size of the punched area depends on the number of grafts needed.
- Preparation of Donor Area: A section of the donor area is trimmed according to the required number of grafts. If a large number of grafts are needed or there is a significant amount of white hair, a section measuring approximately 12cm x 8cm may be trimmed.
- Local Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The amount injected is carefully controlled to ensure patient comfort and pain-free graft extraction.
- Graft Calibration: The extracted grafts are calibrated under a specialized microscope to ensure precision. Hair shafts are short, a few millimeters long, and immediately visible after extraction. Within a week, the hairs will grow, allowing the patient to see early results.
Who Is MFUE Method For?
- Suitable for individuals with very curly hair, such as Africans.
- Suitable for individuals who are afraid of surgical methods.
- Suitable for men who want to keep their hair very short at the back of their heads (in surgical methods, only a very thin line, about one millimeter, remains, and if the patient shaves their hair six months after the procedure, the line will be visible).
- Suitable for individuals who undergo eyebrow transplantation for eyebrow restoration.
- (The unveiling of eyebrows may leave a faint line from stitches, which some individuals may need.)
- Suitable for individuals who do not have an issue with hair shortness in the donor area.
Preparing the Donor Area in MFUE
In this method, based on the number of grafts needed, a section at the back of the head is trimmed using a #3 clipper.If a large number of grafts are required or there is a significant amount of white hair, a section measuring approximately 12cmx8cm may need to be trimmed. Therefore, it is essential to inform the patient, especially women, beforehand.
Anesthesia in the MFUE Method
After preparing the donor area, local anesthetic medications are injected. These medications act quickly and have a long-lasting effect, ensuring the patient feels no pain after the injection and remains pain-free throughout the procedure. The amount of anesthesia administered depends on the size of the donor area.
Body Position in the MFUE Method
In this method, the patient must lie face down for approximately 30 minutes.
End of Transplantation in MFUT
At the end of the procedure, the donor area is dressed and will remain covered for 2 days. A small amount of special cream is also applied to the eyebrows.
Conclusion
The MFUE method is an excellent choice for individuals who prefer a minimally invasive procedure, want to avoid linear scars, and seek a quicker recovery. With careful case selection and adherence to professional guidelines, this method provides natural-looking eyebrow results with high precision and minimal complications.
MFUT — Micro Follicular Unit Transplantation (Strip Method)
The MFUT (Micro Follicular Unit Transplantation) method is a modern technique for hair and eyebrow transplanting that has improved a lot in recent years. It better meets the needs of patients. Here are the details of this method:
- Strip Removal: In this method, a very thin strip of skin is taken from the back of the patient’s head. The size of this strip depends on how many grafts are needed. The patient’s skin must be elastic enough so that the two layers can be stitched back together easily.
- Harvesting Time: Removing this strip takes only about 5 minutes. The patient can sit or lie down during the procedure.
- Local Anesthesia: The whole process is done with local anesthesia, and the amount of injection is very small and manageable.
- Suture Type: Stitches are usually made with nylon thread, but absorbable thread can also be used. This helps keep the area looking good, so there are no bald spots left on the back of the head after surgery.
- Immediate Results: One advantage of this method is that because the hair shafts are long, the results of the eyebrow transplant can be seen right after the procedure. This can make patients happier.
Who Is MFUT Method For?
- People who want to see the results of their eyebrow positioning immediately after the procedure.
- People who do not want to shorten their head hair.
- People looking for a lift in the neck area.
Preparing the Donor Area in MFUT
In this method, the length and width of the strip are estimated based on the patient’s hair density, presence or absence of white hair, the number of grafts required, and skin laxity. The target hairs are separated, and the surrounding area is trimmed by a few millimeters to ensure a cleaner suture. If the surrounding hair is long, it is neatly arranged. The hair on the strip intended for transplantation will be trimmed to about 2 cm. As a result, after the strip is removed and sutured, no empty area will be visible on the back of the patient’s head.
Anesthesia in the MFUT Method
A minimal amount of anesthesia is injected below the donor line, which is less than in the MFUE method and more tolerable for the patient.
Body Position in the MFUT Method
In this method, the patient can either remain seated, chatting or using their phone, or lie face down. The entire donor process takes about 5 minutes.
End of Transplantation in MFUT
At the end of the procedure, a small amount of cream is applied to the suture area at the back of the head, and no dressing is required. A small amount of special cream is also applied to the eyebrows.
Conclusion
The MFUT method is a good choice for people who want to improve their hair because it is quick, has few complications, and shows immediate results. With proper case selection and following professional guidelines, good results can be achieved.
Local anesthesia is used during the transplantation process. To control bleeding, adrenaline is administered, which can cause increased blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat. The patient should not have any history of hypertension or heart problems. Due to the injection, slight swelling of the skin may occur.
Anesthesia During the Transplantation Stage
Eyebrow Transplantation Stage
Natural eyebrows have a specific shape, with hairs in the crown, body, and tail areas having different growth directions. In eyebrow transplantation, the needle is guided to match the natural hair direction, aiming for a natural-looking result.
- Immediately after the procedure, the transplanted eyebrows will resemble a natural eyebrow shape.
- In cases where the patient’s hair is either very straight or very curly, the hair shafts may not lie perfectly flat initially, but they will still take on a natural eyebrow appearance in the end.
- In the microscopic method, hairs are transplanted individually, preventing them from forming clumps. As a result, regardless of the hair type, the outcome will still look natural.
Swelling and Bruising
As mentioned earlier, slight swelling occurs due to the injection of local anesthesia. Additionally, the skin reacts to the creation of channels, leading to increased swelling.
Swelling does not worsen during the procedure but may increase afterward, particularly around the upper and lower eyelids.
For individuals with fair skin or those who experience significant bleeding, bruising may range from mild to severe.
These bruises do not interfere with daily activities, and if the patient expresses dissatisfaction with the bruising, they can be advised to wear sunglasses.
Hair Shedding and Regrowth in Eyebrow Transplantation
The shedding and regrowth process is the same for both methods.
Scientifically, similar to scalp hair transplants, the transplanted hairs shed after 2 weeks as the roots enter a dormant phase. Regrowth starts around the 3rd month and continues until the 10th month.
However, in practice, it has been observed that sometimes not even a single hair enters the shedding phase, and the transplanted hairs remain permanently.
In some cases, 30% to 50% of the transplanted hairs may shed, but they will regrow. The main concern arises when only one eyebrow or a specific part of an eyebrow, such as the crown or tail, sheds. In such cases, patients often lack the patience to wait for the regrowth process. Therefore, it is crucial to inform them about these stages in advance.
Injectable Medications During Eyebrow Transplantation
Medications are administered via an IV solution, similar to hair transplantation, including antibiotics, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Before the procedure, ensure that you are aware of the patient’s allergies and inform us accordingly.
Eyebrow Design
Eyebrow design follows specific aesthetic rules, and many clients prefer unique designs based on trends and personal taste. Our team carefully designs the desired shape for the patient, considering all factors. However, there are some special cases.
For example, a patient may have asymmetrical tattoos, and in such cases, the design may need to cover the tattoos, while also changing the shape and symmetry of the eyebrows. The patient must understand that the final design will consider all factors, and sometimes their preferences and tastes may not be feasible.
Clients who are highly sensitive can design their desired eyebrows during the procedure.
Some clients believe that if they get long and thick eyebrows, they can later change the shape by plucking the hairs. This is not possible, as the hairs will regrow within one to two days.
Usually, Arabic, Iranian, and West Asian clients prefer wide and long eyebrows, while European clients prefer thinner and more natural eyebrows.
Eyebrow Transplantation in Patients with Significant White Hair
Before accepting a patient, assess their age and the percentage of white hair in their donor area. If more than 70% of the hair is white, transplantation will have to involve white hairs.
In cases where white hair constitutes 50–70%, depending on the patient’s hair density and the number of grafts required, white hairs may need to be included in the transplant.
MFUT: For patients with less than 50% white hair, a longer strip is harvested, and only black hairs are separated and transplanted.
MFUE: Only black hairs are isolated and transplanted using the punch device.
Dos and Don’ts Before Eyebrow Transplant Surgery
- If the patient has a lot of white hair, they should not color their hair until two weeks before the surgery.
- If the patient has a lot of white hair and has agreed to have both white and black hairs transplanted, they should color their hair one or two days before the surgery.
- If the patient has a tattoo and wants the entire tattoo covered, there is no need to remove the tattoo.
- If the patient is not satisfied with their tattoo design and the chosen design causes part of the old tattoo to remain visible, it is not a problem; the patient can remove the remaining tattoo after the transplant.
- If the patient’s chosen design is very different from the previous tattoo, they should first remove the tattoo and then undergo the transplant. After the tattoo removal, the skin must be fully healed; otherwise, the new hairs will not take.
- If the patient has a red or badly-colored tattoo, it does not need to be removed; the new hairs will cover it.
- If the patient has a weak hair bank and suffers from diffuse hair loss, they will not be a suitable candidate for the transplant. (In such cases, if the hair loss has been treated and stopped, both transplant methods may be performed simultaneously, which will increase costs.)
- If the patient wishes, it is possible to transplant both the eyebrows and hair at the same time.
- The patient should not have had their hair straightened or keratin-treated for at least one month before the surgery.
- The patient should not have any skin conditions, including inflammation.
- The patient should not come with shaved hair. For the MFUT method, hair should be at least 2 cm long, and for the MFUE method, hair should be at least 1 cm long.
- Ask the patient if they smoke a lot. If the answer is yes, they should use a designated smoking room. However, the patient should be aware that smoking increases the risk of unsuccessful grafts, and they accept this risk by their own consent.
- Ask the patient if they have undergone any eyebrow treatments, such as oils, solutions, PRP injections, or mesotherapy, because these individuals are more prone to bleeding and will need special medications to control it.
- Patients with psychological disorders who take sedatives may not be able to tolerate the long duration of the procedure. Get precise information from the patient so that we can prescribe medication to help them. The patient should not stop taking their medications or change their dosage.
Pre-Transplant Eyebrow Guidelines
- The patient should take a shower the night before and avoid applying conditioner to the roots of their hair.
- It is preferable to wear a shirt with an open collar or button.
- A full breakfast should be consumed, and fatty foods should be avoided (especially eggs).
- Alcohol consumption is prohibited one week before the procedure.
- If the patient is taking medications for cholesterol, thyroid, heart conditions, or blood pressure, they should not delay taking them.
- Wearing makeup before the procedure is not an issue.
- If the patient has long hair, it should be fully combed and neat before the procedure.
- If the patient has damaged or disorganized hair extensions, it is better to remove them from the hair bank area.
- The patient should avoid spicy foods one day before the procedure.
- Green tea should be avoided one week before the procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can send us a description of your situation along with photos of your eyebrows, and our team of specialists will give you all the info you need.
We use natural hair from the back of your head. It will grow normally in your eyebrows and adapt to the new area.
You’ll see immediate results right after the procedure, but it takes about 10 months for the full effect as new growth stabilizes.
No, it’s done with local anesthesia, so there’s no pain during the process.
The cost is generally between $1,200 and $1,500, depending on individual needs.
Why Choose
SAP Medical Group
in Istanbul?
- Experienced SpecialistsExperts with extensive eyebrow and hair transplantation experience.
- Advanced TechnologySpecialized microscopes and delicate tools for precision.
- Multilingual SupportDedicated team assisting international patients.
- Affordable ExcellenceHigh-quality treatment at competitive prices.
- Proven TransformationsExplore our gallery to see real MFUT results.
Ready to Transform Your Eyebrows?
Scheduling the Procedure First, you need to send photos of your eyebrows and the back of your head. Our consulting team will explain all the details to you. To fill out the consultation form, the doctor will ask you some questions, please answer them carefully. After reviewing your request form, if there are no contraindications, a procedure appointment will be scheduled according to your request.