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Brow mishaps are a sad, but real problem when it comes to tweezing. Regardless of whether a professional makes a mistake or we get overzealous in our own attempts, weve likely all experienced the doom spiral of realizing we may have just taken off a little too much, ruining our previously perfectly defined brow shape. The worst part? Trying to undo the damage by plucking just a few more hairs for even-ness will only make things worse. So whats one to do if the travesty of uneven arches or crooked tails befalls them?
We chatted with a few brow experts and dermatologists who confirmed that there are ways to revive your arches and achieve the full, bushy brows of your dreams. Below, the pros share tried-and-true tips on how to fix overplucked eyebrows. While it may require some patience and effort, the professionals have seen it all, so their word is gospel. Keep scrolling to find out how to grow your eyebrows back.
Meet the Expert
Onyeka Obioha, MD, is board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist at Boutik Dermatology in Los Angeles.
Giselle Soto, is a celebrity brow specialist and CEO and founder of Giselle Soto Brows.
Francesca Roman, is a master brow specialist at Butterfly Studio Salon.
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Be Patient With the Hair Growth Cycle
First things first, don’t freak out. We know its easier said than done in the heat of the moment, but brows don’t grow back overnight. “Over-tweezed eyebrows are a super downer, and to be honest, I would recommend letting them breathe for six to eight weeks before seeking a professional,” says Giselle Soto, celebrity brow specialist and CEO and founder of Giselle Soto Brows. “Patience is the key!” With eyebrows, sometimes you have to allow them to go through a rough phase when attempting to mount a full brow comeback.
Keep in mind that as your eyebrows are growing back, they are also falling out, just like any other hair on your body. Soto notes that everyone’s hair regeneration grows at a different pace. “For some people, eyebrow hair will grow back quickly and need maintenance every two weeks. For others, it could take a couple of months and sometimes longer," she says.
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Visit a Pro for Shaping
“I do not recommend tweezing in between appointments—not only does this mess with the hair growth cycle, but also it messes with the shape of your eyebrows," warns Soto. "I typically recommend my clients come to see me approximately every three to four weeks to preserve their brow shape. If clients come in sooner than necessary, it may not allow the brows to properly grow in where needed. If clients come in too late, it forces the artist to have to completely reshape the eyebrows.”
Francesca Roman, a master brow specialist at Butterfly Studio Salon, agrees, stressing that unless youre able to resist the urge of tweezing more than three brow hairs, it’s best to leave it to a professional. When Roman encounters clients who cant seem to keep their hands of their brows, she gives them what she calls a brow lesson. Shell fill in their brows to their desired thickness and then, using a hand mirror, she says, "I teach and show them exactly where to touch and where not to touch on the brow.” Bottom line: If youre tempted to mess with your shape, its time to visit a pro.
When tweezing strays, fill in the brows as if they were freshly groomed and then carefully pluck anything outside the shape. This, paired with good lighting, will reduce your risk of over-tweezing.
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Stimulate Hair Growth With Rosemary Oil
While you’re letting your brows do their thing, you can help expedite the process by conditioning the existing brow hair and stimulating growth. Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dendy Engelman recommends rosemary oil "because of its hydrating, antioxidant properties." Consistency is key for brow growth products, so be sure to apply daily to stimulate hair growth.
Key Ingredients
Rosemary leaf extract is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin and prevents signs of premature aging. Rosmarinic acid (its main component) helps calm skin conditions like eczema and acne.
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Increase Hydration With Castor Oil
"Keep the eyebrows hydrated by applying moisturizing serums, oils and creams at least twice a day," recommends Dr. Engelman. "I love castor oil because it intensely nourishes and might stimulate the hair follicles."
Castor oil, aka the holy-grail brow-lengthening product, is touted by many for its brow-growing powers thanks to a combination of its vitamin E content and natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Roman adds that castor oil is a healthy alternative for those who want to go the natural route. “[Castor oil] is perfect for vegans and those that want a purely natural approach to caring for their brows,” she explains. “It has so many nutrients to help speed up the growth process.” Try Heritage Stores Lavender Castor Oil ($13), which is as soothing as it is nourishing thanks to its blend of lavender and castor oil. Keep in mind that if you are pregnant, you should avoid castor oil as it can get absorbed by the body and possibly even spark contractions or incite premature labor.
It is highly recommended to test a small patch of your skin for any allergies before thoroughly applying it to the brow area.
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Hide Strays With Concealer
If youre trying to regrow your brows as a result of over-plucking, youre likely experiencing lots of stray hairs. Finding ways to camouflage them will help you resist the urge to tweeze them out. First step: Find a formula that has highlighting properties and comes in a slew of shades to pop wherever youre looking to conceal. To use, apply a small amount of product onto the back of your hand. Using a small makeup brush, begin blending on top of any stray hairs. Choose a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone if youre after more of a brightening effect, which will draw attention away from your brow regrowth and onto your eye area.
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Use a Tinted Brow Gel
Sometimes, faking it until you make it with subtle makeup tricks can help you cheat your way to a fuller, thicker brow. This is especially true if your brow formula contains growth-boosting properties thatll help to nourish brow hairs and encourage growth. For a natural look, turn to a tinted brow gel to give the appearance of fuller brows—instantly and over time.
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Fill In Gaps With a Brow Pomade
Sometimes, a tinted brow gel just wont cut it. Soto suggests staying away from wax-based products. The reason: certain waxes can actually cause hair to fall out and delay your regrowth efforts. Instead, opt for a creamy brow pencil or brow pomade to fix any patchy or uneven brows. Use a pomade to underline the brow and lightly feather in a shape that mimics the natural appearance of hair growth for the illusion of thicker brows while you wait for your own to grow in.
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Condition Brows With a Serum
A brow-specific serum promises to help create a conditioning environment for brows to grow. Roman recommends neuLASHs neuBROW Brow Enhancing Serum ($85) for its soothing, moisturizing properties and touts its essential oils for providing healthier-looking brows. Another favorite is the LiBrow Purified Lash Serum ($90), which Roman says can help you achieve bold, thick brows with its advanced conditioning technology.
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Reach for Clinical-Strength Formulas
If all else fails, and youre still dissatisfied with the regrowth of your brows, it may be time to consider a clinical-strength formula that really packs a punch. "There are a lot of eyebrow growth products marketed to consumers, however growth stimulators that have the most data backing their efficacy are minoxidil solution (or foam) 5% which is over the counter and Bimatoprost, more commonly known as Latisse, which is prescription only. We believe that these shift hairs into the growth phase," explains board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist Onyeka Obioha.
How often should I be plucking my eyebrows?
Everybodys brow hair grows at a different pace, but plucking every three to four weeks is a safe bet. If you pluck daily your eyebrow hairs will start to grow at different rates, resulting in an uneven look.
Will methods like microblading help my eyebrows to grow faster?
Microblading provides instant results by mimicking brow strands with ink, but it will not generate natural hair growth.
Are there any supplements you can take to aid in the growth of brows?
Vitamins A, C, and E all aid in hair growth which can help increase the fullness and growth of brow hair. Biotin—one of the B vitamins—is another supplement that can help with brow growth and is found in foods and beverages such as nuts, egg yolks, bananas, mushrooms, and more.
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