EYELASH TRANSPLANT SURGERY

Eyelashes are considered the heart of the eye. Long, dark and lavish lashes have an appeal and can create a dramatic effect for women. It’s why most women will not leave home without applying a little mascara.

Today’s cosmetic enhancements in mascara and false eyelashes have made it increasingly easier for women to put their lashes on display. However, when the lashes are too sparse, or if they are missing or weak, this enhancement is simply impossible to achieve with makeup and eyelash extensions alone.

Eyelash transplantation surgery, offered by Plano, Texas hair restoration surgeon, Dr. Joseph Yaker, can be performed to cosmetically enhance the appearance of the eyelashes by permanently placing hair where they are absent.

EYELASH HAIR LOSS

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.

SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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.

EXPECTED COST

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.

EYELASH TRANSPLANT FAQS

DO EYELASH TRANSPLANT PRODUCE SOLID RESULTS?

Eyelash transplant surgery provides incredibly natural looking, permanent results. Approximately 80-90% of the transplanted lashes can be expected to grow, and it is not until around one year, that the full aesthetic result is complete.

WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR EYELASH TRANSPLANT?

While seeing Dr. Yaker for your comprehensive consultation, he will review your medical history, examine your eyelashes and evaluate your donor hair. Patients must have good quality donor hair on the back of the head to use for the transplant process. Women with extremely curly hair do not make good candidates because if the curl is too sharp, constant training of the eyelashes may not be enough to prevent an unnatural appearance or even constant eye irritation.

In general, individuals who have thin, missing or weak eyelashes are candidates. Skin diseases and medical conditions must be ruled out and/or treated before being considered for surgery. Patients who have been diagnosed with a psychological disorder, such as trichotillomania, must be cured of this condition prior to hair replacement surgery. This means they no longer feel the need or urge to pull their hair, which would compromise the surgical result.

Patients who wish to have their eyelashes restored will be evaluated by Dr. Yaker during the initial consultation to determine the best course of action.

LATISSE® OR SURGERY?

Latisse® (generic name: Bimatoprost) is an FDA approved topical medication prescribed for patients who wish to have fuller, longer, darker eyelashes. Latisse® can safely and effectively enhance eyelash growth.

Applied once a day for at least 16 weeks, it has been shown to be effective. But it only works on active hair follicles and does not come without the potential risk of side effects. Latisse® does not grow hair in areas where eyelashes are missing. This is when eyelash transplant surgery would be an excellent option.

GET YOUR EYELASH TRANSPLANT AT YAKER HAIR RESTORATION

They say the eyes are the windows to the soul and lashes are the perfect pair of curtains. We believe this is true. However, the eyelash transplant is a very delicate surgery so you should only get it from a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in eyelash transplant surgery like Dr. Yaker.

If you’re experiencing eyelash hair loss or just want thicker, natural-looking eyelashes, schedule a consultation with Dr. Yaker and improve your lash look today.