The loss of one’s eyelashes can be the result of genetics, skin diseases and certain medical conditions, medications such as cancer treatments, trauma (physical, surgical, thermal or chemical), and even compulsive plucking or pulling of eyelashes (trichotillomania). Many women today have chosen to use lash extensions to enhance their look, however, for some, the overuse of eyelash extensions can cause permanent eyelash loss. This repeated use of eyelash extensions can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the hair falls out due to excessive tension placed on the hair shaft.

An eyelash transplant procedure is performed to replace missing eyelashes and fill in areas where lashes are absent, sparse, or damaged. To achieve this, Dr. Yaker performs Follicular Unit Transplantation, known as FUT. Performed under a mild oral sedative and local anesthetic, the 3-4 hour procedure is essentially painless, as is the recovery period. 

This surgery involves removing a strip of hair from the back of the head, and microscopically dissecting the hairs into individual hair grafts. The grafts are then threaded one-by-one into the upper eyelid through a curved needle, and trimmed to its appropriate length. The amount of grafts required depends on donor hair characteristics, the extent of eyelash loss, and desired density. 

This procedure is extremely delicate, and Dr. Yaker takes great measures to ensure the new eyelashes are properly placed and angled correctly so that they grow naturally, creating beautifully shaped lashes that last a lifetime.

Eyelash transplantation is a relatively quick procedure using local anesthesia, requiring about an hour per eyelid. Following the eyelash transplant procedure, the patient may develop mild swelling and pinkness, which will subside in a few days. For 3-4 days, tiny scabs will form where the new hairs were placed. These scabs will fall out and the newly transplanted hairs will begin to shed around 2-3 weeks following surgery.  

Within about 3-4 months, the new lashes will start to grow, and by 12 months, the final aesthetic result is attained. Once donor hairs are transplanted, they will continue to grow naturally. Because the eyelashes were created using head hairs, patients will need to trim their eyelashes and curl them on a routine basis in order to blend in with their current lashes.

Eyelash transplant surgery is performed in our accredited surgical facility under a local anesthetic. The average price for FUT eyelash transplantation is around $5,000. In comparison, devoted eyelash extension wearers spend around $1,500 to $2,000 per year for non-permanent results.

Eyebrows can be lost for many reasons. They can be absent from birth, thin over time due to age and genetics, fall out due to skin conditions, other medical diseases and cancer treatments, or fail to grow back due to repeated plucking, compulsive hair pulling (Trichotillomania), burns, scars and even chemo or radiation therapy. 

Men and women who have lost their eyebrows often feel anxious and uncomfortable in social situations, fearing that the focus is on their missing eyebrows. Eyebrow hair transplantation is a permanent solution for those individuals who wish to restore complete loss of their eyebrows, enhance thinning eyebrows, or conceal scars within the eyebrow.

Dr. Yaker performs permanent, state-of-the-art eyebrow transplant surgery using either Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Extraction (SmartGraft™ FUE). Eyebrow transplant surgery is an in-office procedure performed using a mild oral sedative and applying local anesthesia to each eyebrow. Before surgery, Dr. Yaker carefully designs the shape and arch of the brow based on personal features, natural hair direction and the patient’s goals. 

The surgical process involves removing hair from the back of the head (permanent donor area), and carefully transplanting them into artistically placed sites on the eyebrow area created to mimic the natural growth pattern of each eyebrow. On average, it takes anywhere from 100 to 400 hairs per eyebrow depending on facial features, hair characteristics, hair loss and brow design, in order to create a symmetrical, full appearance.

After surgery, it is important for patients to follow Dr. Yaker’s post-operative instructions to ensure effective healing and hair growth. Within 1-2 days after surgery, tiny scabs will appear on the transplanted area. Some mild swelling, redness and bruising may appear within the first few days, but will subside. The tiny scabs will go away within 7 days and, just like in scalp hair transplantation, the implanted hairs will fall out, beginning 2-3 weeks following the procedure as the hair follicles underneath the scalp make way for new, healthy hair. 

Hair regrowth in the recipient eyebrow areas begin around 3 to 4 months later. It takes about 12 months for final results to be achieved, allowing for the transplanted hairs to grow and blend in with the existing brows. Because the hair used for eyebrow transplant surgery comes from an area of the scalp where hair growth is continuous, the eyebrows will need to be trimmed and groomed on a routine basis. 

Patients don’t find this to be an issue as most are used to routinely plucking or penciling their eyebrows. Eventually, trimming becomes less frequent as the growth rate slows down. While in most cases a patient’s desired outcome can be achieved with one session, subsequent procedures may be required to achieve greater density.

The cost of eyebrow transplant surgery depends on the extent of the procedure and the number of hair grafts needed to achieve the desired results. On average, patients can expect to pay around $5,000 for this procedure.