Thinning Eyebrows: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Key takeaways:

Eyebrows can thin as you get older. Seborrhea dermatitis, eczema, hypothyroidism, and other conditions can also cause thinning eyebrows.
Medications like Latisse (bimatoprost) and Rogaine (minoxidil) can sometimes be used off-label to help with eyebrow growth.
Other treatments can help eyebrows appear fuller. These range from temporary options like make-up to semi-permanent options like microblading.

Eyebrows are an important part of your face. They help with facial expressions and communication, and they help make you look like you. Thinning eyebrows is a common concern for many people.

Your eyebrows can change as you get older. But losing eyebrow hair can also be a sign of an underlying health problem. Let’s take a closer look at the different causes of eyebrow thinning and when you should wonder about something more serious.

What causes thinning eyebrows?

There are many reasons why people develop eyebrow thinning including:

Age

Your hair changes as you get older. And that includes the hair that makes up your eyebrows. It’s natural for your eyebrows to thin as you get older. This happens because of a natural decline in hormones or hormone sensitivity as you age. Lower levels of hormones can affect hair follicles, causing the hair to become thinner and not grow as well.

Hair removal

Eyebrow shapes come in and out of fashion. For some people, this means shaping their brows by plucking or waxing. But constant hair removal can damage your hair follicles. This makes it harder — and sometimes impossible — for hair to grow back.

Skin conditions

Some skin conditions, like eczema, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis, can affect your eyebrows too. These conditions can cause inflammation in the hair follicles. These conditions can also cause itchiness. Scratching can also inflame hair follicles. Inflammation can lead to long-term damage which stops hair growth. You may notice other symptoms too like eyebrow flaking, redness, or itching.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a type of hair loss that can develop after your body goes through a stressful period, like an illness or surgery. It can also develop after pregnancy or when you rapidly lose weight.

Telogen effluvium is best known for causing hair shedding from your scalp. But it can also affect your eyebrows, making them look less full. Telogen effluvium goes away on its own, though it may take months for your eyebrows to grow back to normal.

Hormone changes

Hormone changes can impact all your hair follicles. If you’re going through menopause, you may have noticed hair changes like increased hair loss and thinning. But you may also notice some changes to your eyebrows.

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Medical conditions

Several medical conditions can affect your eyebrows. For example:

Thyroid problems: Both low thyroid hormone levels (hypothyroidism) and high thyroid hormone levels (hyperthyroidism) can affect hair growth.
Alopecia areata: This autoimmune condition causes your body to attack its own hair follicles. It can cause hair loss on any part of your body, including your eyebrows. Most people notice hair loss in multiple areas, including bald spots on their scalp.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia: This specific type of alopecia can cause eyebrows and eyelashes to stop growing. People with frontal fibrosing alopecia may notice that the inner halves of their eyebrows remain normal while the outer halves thin or disappear. Sometimes only a few hairs remain, and they can be sparse or grow in odd directions.

Vitamin deficiencies

You need enough protein and vitamins to grow hair. Vitamin deficiencies can lead to hair thinning and hair loss all over your body, including your eyebrows. Low zinc levels in particular have been linked to eyebrow thinning.

Medications

Some chemotherapy medications cause hair loss. These can affect your eyebrows as well. Eyebrows tend to grow back after treatment ends. But the hair may have different growth patterns and texture. This can mean that your brows will have a new natural shape.

What are the symptoms of eyebrow thinning?

For most people, eyebrow thinning happens gradually over time. You may begin to notice that your eyebrows have changed from when you were younger. These changes might include eyebrows that are:

Not as thick or dark
Less defined
Narrower or shorter

Treatments for thinning eyebrows

The following types of treatments may be able to help you get fuller eyebrows.

Medications for eyebrow thinning

A few studies have shown that these two medications can help eyebrows grow back and become thicker in some people:

Latisse (bimatoprost), a prescription-strength solution approved to treat thin eyelashes
Rogaine (minoxidil), an over-the-counter solution that’s usually used for scalp hair loss

These medications must be applied to your eyebrows daily. It can take weeks to months to notice an improvement. Keep in mind that the effects aren’t permanent — you’ll need to keep applying them to maintain hair growth.

These medications are not FDA-approved to treat eyebrow thinning. But some medical professionals will recommend off-label use to improve eyebrow growth.

Cosmetic options for thin eyebrows

There are also cosmetic options that can make your eyebrows look thicker and fuller. These options aren’t permanent and don’t actually increase hair growth. But they may be simple and cost-effective alternatives to help improve eyebrow appearance:

Makeup, like eyebrow pencils and powders
Microblading, a semipermanent treatment that can last for months
Hair dye, applied by an aesthetician or hairstylist

Hair transplant

For people who want a more permanent solution, an eyebrow transplant is an option. This is a minor surgical procedure done in an office setting. A hair surgeon will numb the area and then move individual hair follicles from your scalp to your eyebrows. The procedure can take several hours and is quite expensive — usually costing several thousand dollars.

Nutritional supplements

Certain vitamin deficiencies, like vitamin D and biotin, may be associated with hair thinning, which can involve your eyebrows. Taking vitamin supplements may help if you have a deficiency. However, taking unnecessary supplements can cause side effects, so it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before starting them.

Skincare

Getting treatment for skin conditions can also help with eyebrow growth. The right treatment can calm inflammation and allow hair follicles to heal.

Treatment for eyebrow dandruff can include medicated shampoos or creams. Treatment for psoriasis and eczema can also include shampoos and creams, as well as systemic therapies. A dermatologist can help you create a care plan that addresses all your skin and hair needs.

Can you slow thinning eyebrows?

In general, it isn’t possible to slow down eyebrow thinning that happens naturally. But you can help protect your eyebrows by avoiding over-plucking, which can cause permanent damage. It’s also a good idea to focus on eating a well-balanced diet to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

Frequently asked questions

It’s not possible to stop eyebrow thinning that happens as you get older. But you can avoid damaging your eyebrow hair follicles by minimizing eyebrow plucking. Over time, too much plucking can lead to thin eyebrows that won’t grow back.

If your eyebrows are thinning because of a medical condition — like alopecia areata or hypothyroidism — getting treatment for that condition could help them grow back.

Zinc deficiencies have been linked to thinning eyebrows. The best way to avoid nutritional deficiencies is to eat a well-rounded diet with a variety of whole foods, like fruits and vegetables. If you think you have a nutrient deficiency, a healthcare professional can run a blood test to diagnose it and recommend supplements to take.

There are a few ways to make sparse eyebrows appear thicker. Medications like Latisse and Rogaine may help regrow eyebrow hair. You can also use hair dye, makeup, or microblading (a semipermanent treatment that lasts longer).

If you have naturally thick eyebrows, you have your genes to thank. Like other hair traits, your genetic makeup largely determines how thick or thin your eyebrows are.

The bottom line

For many people, it can be stressful to notice their eyebrows getting thinner. Eyebrow thinning can happen as you age, but it can also be a sign of an underlying health condition, like hypothyroidism. Treatment for thinning eyebrows depends on the cause. If you notice your eyebrows thinning, let a healthcare professional know. They can figure out the cause and develop a treatment plan for you.

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Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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