Eyelash Hair Transplant

Long, lustrous eyelashes help provide more definition to the eyes and draw attention to them. This is a universal feature that helps enhance the beauty of just about any face.

To help highlight their lashes, women often rely on mascara to make these hairs darker and more prominent. Many brands claim the ability to lengthen eyelash hair. But really these products are formulated to coat the thinnest end tips, that are normally not very visible.

If mascara is not enough, false lashes can be used to give the appearance of thicker, longer lashes. Tufts are sometimes glued to groups of lash hair. Or the length of these strips can be attached along the actual lash line with adhesive

Recently, Allergan has developed a pharmaceutical prescription drug called Latisse.  Latisse is a solution which can be applied over the tissue along the existing eyelash border.  It works by extending the time frame of growth for   individual hairs.  However,  applications need to be ongoing. There is also the risk of developing discolorations around the eyelid and the iris.

As another option, having  long and natural hairs on a permanent basis can now be achieved through eyelash hair transplant.

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Front view of patient after her eyelash hair transplant surgery

How Hair Restoration Surgery Works For The Eyelashes

In most cases, hair is derived from the back of the head through surgical punches. This is a general technique known as Follicular Unit Extraction. However, the thickness of real lash hair can be more closely approximated by using hair from the nape.

Ugraft punch tools were designed by Dr. Umar to extract non conventional follicles such as those from the nape and even other areas of the body. These are hairs that tend to grow at sharper angles compared to those from the head.  With uGraft, it is possible to remove these grafts without the risk of damaging the follicles from the edge of the punch.  Another benefit offered by this specialized tool is that it enables the punch wounds to heal in such a way that leaves no visible scarring.  Many women occasionally wear their hair up, which exposes the nape area. Therefore, uGraft offers the benefits of:

  • being able to use  nape hair as a natural looking option
  • exceptional wound healing in the nape area with no traces of visible scars.

Average Number of Hair Grafts Needed

The upper lash border has about 100 hairs growing along this edge.  To achieve the desired density and length, eyelash restoration procedures will usually require about  30 to 40 hair follicles.

Incisions are made into the edge of the eyelid where lashes normally grow. And the grafts are inserted into each one.

Pain is managed through local anesthetics and sometimes supplemented with sedatives to help create a more relaxed state. The patient is awake during the procedure.

Growth of New Eyelash Hairs After Surgery

Within 3-4 days, each inserted lash will have crust growing around the eyelid. This will fall off, leaving the area looking somewhat pink by the fifth day. Usually these effects are gone by the seventh day after the surgery.

It is normal for the inserted hairs to actually shed within the first two weeks after the procedure.  Then a new growth cycle begins in the following six to twelve weeks.  The optimal results will continue to develop for up to a year after the surgery.

Maintenance of Eyelash Hair Transplant Results 

Hair that comes from the back of the head will continue to behave the same. Therefore, they will grow to much longer lengths compared to normal lashes. Patients who choose this surgery will need to trim them on a regular basis. Also they will need to use an eyelash curler to replicate the curvature of natural lashes.

How Much Does This Procedure Cost?

The overall cost of surgeries to restore eyelashes will vary across patients. But on average, individuals who are interested in this procedure can expect to pay about $6000 ($3000 per eye)