Eyebrow Transplant

An eyebrow transplant moves individual hair follicles, usually from the back of the scalp, into the brows to rebuild shape and density. It is used for brows that are thin, patchy or missing because of over-plucking, genetics, scarring or some medical conditions. With Plastic Surgery Turkey Group (PSTG), your eyebrow transplant in Turkey is planned from photos in advance and performed at a contracted healthcare institution in Istanbul or Antalya.

Unlike microblading or tattooing, a transplant places real, growing hairs. That brings its own considerations: transplanted scalp hair keeps some of its original character, so it grows longer than native brow hair and needs regular trimming. The design and the angle of each hair decide how natural the result looks.

Who is a good candidate#

An eyebrow transplant may suit people who:

• have thin or sparse brows after years of over-plucking or waxing;
• have naturally thin or short brows and want more fullness or a defined shape;
• have a gap or scar in the brow from injury or surgery;
• have lost brow hair to a condition that is now stable;
• have a good donor area on the scalp;
• are prepared to trim the new hairs regularly and have realistic expectations.

Who may not be suitable#

• People whose brow loss is caused by an active condition, such as alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia or a thyroid problem that has not been treated. These need medical diagnosis and treatment first.
• People with active skin conditions or infection around the eyes.
• People with recent brow tattooing or microblading, who may be asked to wait until the area has fully healed.
• Anyone with health conditions or medications that make a procedure under local anaesthesia unsafe, which the doctor assesses individually.

For women with thinning brows and scalp hair at the same time, diagnosis matters even more. The female hair transplant page explains why the cause of hair loss is checked before any surgery.

Techniques and options#

Most eyebrow transplants use FUE extraction. Fine single-hair grafts are taken one by one from the back or sides of the scalp, choosing hairs that are as fine as possible. The FUE hair transplant page describes the extraction process.

Grafts are then placed either into tiny openings made with a fine needle or blade, or directly with an implanter pen (DHI). Whichever method is used, the key is placement: brow hairs lie almost flat against the skin and change direction from the inner brow to the tail. The comparison of FUE, DHI and Sapphire FUE outlines how the techniques differ.

The shape is designed with you before the procedure. The doctor considers your face, your natural brow line and what will look balanced as you age, rather than following a passing trend.

How the procedure is carried out#

An eyebrow transplant is carried out under local anaesthesia, so you are awake while the brows and donor area are numb.

1. The brow shape is drawn on and agreed with you.
2. A small area of the donor site is trimmed and numbed, and fine grafts are extracted.
3. The brows are numbed, and grafts are placed one at a time at a low angle, following the direction of natural brow hair.
4. The donor area is dressed, and you receive aftercare instructions.

The procedure typically takes a few hours, depending on the number of grafts. You return to your hotel the same day.

Recovery and results#

• First days: mild redness, swelling and small crusts around the grafts are common and usually subside within a few days. The brows should not be rubbed or touched.
• First two weeks: crusts come away, and you are told when you can wash your face normally and wear make-up again.
• Weeks 2 to 8: transplanted hairs usually shed. This is expected, and the follicles remain in place.
• Months 3 to 4: new growth begins.
• Months 6 to 12: the result matures and can be assessed.

For a stage-by-stage overview, see the hair transplant recovery timeline.

Transplanted hairs usually keep growing long term, because they come from an area of the scalp that tends to resist pattern hair loss. They also keep growing like scalp hair, so trimming every week or two is normal. Some people use a little brow gel to train the hairs to lie flat.

Risks and limitations#

• Redness, swelling and crusting in the first days.
• Infection or small cysts, which need prompt attention.
• Some grafts may not survive, leaving lower density than hoped.
• Hairs may grow at an angle that needs training with gel or, occasionally, correction.
• Small marks in the donor area, which are usually hidden by surrounding hair.
• A second session may be needed for density or to refine the shape.

The treating doctor explains which risks apply in your case.

Planning your treatment in Turkey#

Planning starts with clear photos of your brows, face and the back of your scalp, and information about your medical history and any previous brow treatments. After a medical review, you receive a written treatment plan and quote with the proposed shape and approximate number of grafts.

A typical stay is around two to three days. PSTG coordinates the practical side, which can include:

• pre- and post-procedure consultations;
• a 4–5-star hotel and airport and clinic transfers;
• a personal interpreter or assistant;
• post-procedure medication and aftercare products;
• 24/7 support during your stay;
• virtual follow-up after you fly home.

Most people can fly home a day or so after the procedure. Aftercare is simple but important in the first two weeks. General guidance on washing, sun and exercise is in the hair transplant aftercare guide. You can find other options on the hair transplant page.

Where treatment takes place#

Treatment is carried out at contracted healthcare institutions in Istanbul and Antalya that are authorised for international health tourism. The treating doctor decides whether an eyebrow transplant is suitable, agrees the design with you and carries out the procedure. PSTG, a health-tourism intermediary affiliated with TÜRSAB, coordinates your plan, travel and follow-up.

If you would like to know whether your brows could be rebuilt with a transplant, you can send photos for a free, no-obligation assessment and get a straightforward answer about what is realistic.