An eyebrow transplant can be an option for patients who have no eyebrows or thinning eyebrows due to congenital conditions, diseases, infection or overplucking.
Typical costs:
An eyebrow transplant typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000, including the surgeon fee, anesthesia and facility fee. For example, South Center Cosmetic Surgery and Med Spa[1] in the Seattle area, charges about $2,900. Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration[2] in New York City charges $175 for an initial consultation and $5,500 for the transplant.
An eyebrow transplant typically is considered cosmetic and is not covered by health insurance. However, if the transplant is necessary due to a disease or injury, it might be covered, according to plastic surgeon D.J. Verret[3] . For example, Aetna[4] considers a hair transplant medically necessary if it corrects permanent hair loss caused by disease or injury. For patients covered by health insurance, costs would typically include doctor visit copays and coinsurance of 10% to 50% for the procedure, which could total $300-$3,000.
In the initial consultation, the doctor will determine if the patient is a candidate for an eyebrow transplant and will discuss the desired look and shape. Factors that probably would rule a patient out as a candidate include: alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss, or trichotillomania, an obsessive-compulsive disorder that causes the patient to pull out hair.
In surgery, the patient typically receives local anesthesia and an oral sedative. Then, the surgeon makes a small incision at the donor site, usually the head, forearms or pubic area, and removes the needed hairs. Using a special magnification instrument, the donor hair is split into single-hair grafts. The doctor then makes tiny incisions in the eyebrow area, making an effort to place the grafts at the same angles that natural eyebrow hairs would sit. The procedure takes about three hours.
After the procedure, there will be minor scabbing where the hairs were transplanted, and recovery takes a few days. The transplanted hairs fall out in a few weeks, and it typically takes several months for the eyebrows to fully regrow. . Because the hair for the eyebrow transplant is taken from another area of the body, the hair will continue to grow and will need to be trimmed about once a week.
Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration[5] offers an overview of eyebrow transplants.
Additional costs:
The transplanted hairs mature and thicken for about a year, and some patients return to the doctor for additional hair grafts implanted for a fuller look. This revision costs a fraction of the cost of the original procedure, and depends how many follicular units (groups of one or a few hairs) need to be transplanted. Eyebrow transplants usually cost $5-$8 per follicular unit.
Discounts:
Some doctors offer online coupons or discounts for cash-paying patients. For example, US Hair Restoration[6] periodically runs online specials, such as a 40% off "standby" deal for patients who are flexible on scheduling.
Shopping for an eyebrow transplant:
It is important to consult with a board-certified dermatologist or a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing eyebrow transplants. The American Academy of Dermatology[7] offers a directory of board-certified dermatologists by location. And the American Society of Plastic Surgeons[8] and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery[9] offer referral services.
The American Hair Loss Association[10] provides a guide to choosing a hair transplant surgeon and a guide to understanding credentials[11] often cited by doctors performing hair restoration.
Risks of an eyebrow transplant include numbness, scarring and dissatisfaction with results. The International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons warns that eyebrow transplants are challenging and require a highly skilled surgeon.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013
7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.
CostHelper Community
UTI urgent care visit Paid: 147.00 Visit was $135. Antibiotics was $12. Waiting for four hours in the waiting room and the visit was quick... [more]
Spanish Medical Interpreter Paid: 150.00 I worked with SynShyne Services out of Monroe, NC. They were so worth the price! Professional, friendly, accurate, great attitude and always on time. I recieved an itemized report after every contact and a user friendly invoice weekly... [more]
Skin prick allergy test Paid: 573.00 Took my 9 yr. old in after an allergic reaction to eggs. Several panels for nuts, fish & top 8 allergens. Sure enough, egg came up. Got a script for epinephrine and left... [more]