Your eyebrows frame your face, express your emotions and bring your whole look together. So, when they start to thin or lose their fullness, it’s not surprising that it feels a bit concerning. If you’ve ever wondered,“Why are my eyebrows thinning?” you’re not alone (it’s the question we get asked most). Let’s dive into the most common reasons behind thinning brows and, more importantly, what you can do to restore them to their youthful glory.
Aging
One of the most common reasons for thinning eyebrows is simply the aging process. By age 50, around 40% of women experience hair loss, which can include eyebrow thinning. What can happen is your hair growth cycle slows down and follicles become less active. The result? Eyebrow hair can become fine, sparse and grow back slower than it used to. Your body’s natural decline in elastin production can also make hair more prone to falling out.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations are another major culprit behind thinning eyebrows. Conditions like menopause can lead to changes in hair growth patterns, which can result in rapidly thinning eyebrows. “Menopause may cause your brows to appear thinner and more sparse. Your eyebrows may even grow more slowly,” says Dr. Felipe Jimenez, NULASTIN’s President and Chief Science Officer. This change often takes many women by surprise.
Overplucking
“Years of overplucking your brows can damage the follicle thus inhibiting new hair growth,” says Dr. Jimenez. This damage can make it difficult for hair to grow back. While there’s no doubt that shaping your brows can help maintain their appearance, it’s important to avoid excessive tweezing or waxing, which can weaken the follicles and lead to more permanent thinning.
Stress
Chronic stress affects your body in numerous ways, including hair health. When you’re stressed, your body produces higher levels of cortisol, a hormone that can disrupt hair growth cycles. Stress induced hair loss can cause eyebrow hair to shed more frequently, resulting in noticeable thinning.
Genetics
Sometimes, eyebrow thinning is simply due to genetics. If your family has a history of thin or sparse eyebrows, you may be more prone to experiencing it yourself. Genetics influence hair density, color and texture, which can affect the appearance and fullness of your eyebrows.
What Can You Do About Thinning Eyebrows?
First off, don’t stress! There are ways to revitalize the look of your brows, but you must pack your patience. Commitment and consistency are essential to revitalizing and restoring their fullness.
1. Use a BROW Serum
Replenishing essential proteins, like elastin, can help restore your brows. Our award winning BROW Shape Altering Serum is formulated to replenish elastin and support the hair renewal cycle for fuller and thicker looking brows in 6 to 12 weeks.
2. Avoid Overplucking
If you’re a self-proclaimed overplucker, give your brows a break. Let your natural brows flourish for a few months and avoid aggressive hair removal. This allows your BROW serum to work more effectively and gives your follicles a fighting chance.
3. Practice Stress Management
Reducing stress can positively impact hair growth—from your brows to your lashes. Incorporate activities like yoga, meditation or low impact exercise into your routine to help manage stress levels and promote overall wellness, including the health of your eyebrows.
4. Cleanse Gently
Harsh facial cleansers and aggressive scrubbing won’t help. Instead, choose a mild cleanser, like our Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser, which includes ingredients that effectively remove makeup and impurities without stripping the skin. Avoid rubbing your face dry—patting gently with a soft towel is a much better approach for maintaining eyebrow health.
Figuring out the reason behind the question “why are my eyebrows thinning” is the first step to finding the right solution. Once you know what’s going on, you can take proactive steps to keep your brows looking full and fabulous. The right approach can make all the difference in breaking life back into your brows.