Eyelash Transplant – How it Works

An eyelash transplant is, just as the name of the procedure implies, the transplanting of hair into the eyelash line. The surgery is typically performed on patients who suffer from eyelashes that are missing, weak or thin. The sparse appearance of the eyebrows can occur for a variety of reasons including an inability on the part of the patient to properly grow them, physical trauma, obsessive plucking of the eyelashes or a medical treatment that results in eyelash loss (such as chemotherapy). The eyelash transplantation process takes hair follicles from the donor area on the back of the scalp, or other parts of the body, and individually places them into the eyelid.

How eyelash transplant works

Eyelash Transplant – How it is Performed

An eyelash transplant is similar to traditional hair transplant surgery because hair follicles are removed from a donor site on the body and moved to the eyelash area of a patient. The hair follicles are removed from the body of the patient and then placed under a microscope to make sure they are intact and able to be transplanted.

Eyelash transplants are performed using a specialized eyelash transplant needle which helps the surgeon accurately and efficiently implant the hair follicles. The eyelid where the transplanted hair will be placed is numbed before the hair follicles are transplanted using a microsurgical technique that ensures the specific location of the hair follicle along with placing the hair follicle at the correct angles. Careful placement and orientation of the hair follicles is necessary to allow the surgeon to achieve natural eyelash alignment and the proper curl of the hair.

Eyelash Transplant Recovery and Results

The recovery process is quite simple after an eyelash transplant. Patients can experience a bit of scabbing along the lash line along with some light bruising. The crusting after the surgery typically resolves on its own after a few days and any bruising will resolve after a week or two. The transplanted lashes will shed (no need to worry…this is a natural part of the healing and growth process), and they spend a couple of months in a resting phase. The transplanted hairs will eventually enter the growth phase again and start to grow once more.

There is not much in the way of downtime following the surgery. The transplanted lashes will remain fragile for several days so minimal activity is recommended for 24 hours after the procedure. Patients are not allowed to wear eye makeup or contact lenses for a week after the surgery. Glasses, protective goggles, or sunglasses should be worn for the first week after the surgery, especially when the patient is sleeping, in order to protect the transplanted lashes.

The results of an eyelash transplant are considered to be permanent as long as the patient follows the post-op instructions provided by the surgeon. There will be some eyelash growth that can begin immediately after the eyelash transplant is performed. The results will include long lashes that can be noticeable as early as six weeks after the surgery. It can take around a full year to see the final results. Patients should know that, since it is scalp hair that is being transplanted into the eyelashes, the hair will continue to grow on a regular basis and will need to be trimmed and curled on an ongoing basis in order to maintain their appearance. If there is any scarring after the surgery, it is usually invisible to the naked eye since the incisions are so small.

Eyelash Transplant Limitations and Risks

The amount of hair that can be transplanted in a single session is limited by the available hair grafts and the amount of hair that can be transplanted while still enjoying results that are natural in appearance. Plus, some patients might be unable to have the surgery if the cause of the damage to the eyelashes is compulsive in nature, such as trichotillomania, and has not been treated yet by a medical professional.

Some common risks of eyelash transplant surgery include:

Bruising
Tenderness
Swelling
Infection
Bleeding

An eyelash transplant is a surgical procedure that requires a good deal of experience, precision, and skill on the part of the surgeon. It is not a hair transplant procedure that should be performed by someone who has not had a good deal of experience and proven superior results from performing the surgery.

Overall, patients enjoy a high degree of satisfaction with the functionality and aesthetic experience of their new and healthy eyelashes. There are ways to avoid having to undergo an eyelash transplant if the patient has not experienced any type of injury or trauma to the eyelashes. Patients who want to avoid having to undergo this type of transplant are advised to not use eyelash extensions because they are known for causing eyelash damage. However, a person who does need to have an eyelash treatment will discover the procedure is quite beneficial for the treatment of damaged or thin eyelashes.

– MA

The world-renowned surgical team in Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration provide you with natural hair transplant results than last a lifetime.Using state of the art hair transplant techniques and an artistic approach, our experienced and board-certified doctors design a natural looking hairline that is harmonious with your facial features. No matter your level of balding, or your knowledge about how a hair restoration procedure is performed, our doctors walk you through each step of the hair transplant process to ensure you get the hair restoration results you desire.