Eyelashes are important to form and function, aesthetically framing one’s eyes, as well as keeping dirt and dust from entering the eye area. Eyelash transplantation is an extremely specialized hair transplantation technique which can be used to add or replace living and growing eyelashes into the eyelid area. Follicles harvested from the back of the head are carefully implanted into the eyelid under local anesthesia.
Are You A Transplant Candidate?
Eyelash transplantation is a method of hair transplantation which can be used to replace lashes that have been damaged by injury (car accidents, burns, hair-pulling, etc.) or to cosmetically enhance existing eyelashes that are short, sparse or otherwise weak. The use of single and double-follicle implantation enables new, living and growing eyelashes to be comfortably and permanently restored to the eyelids.
Intended Results
The addition of living and growing lashes into the eyelid restores and/or enhances the aesthetic ‘frame’ of the eyes which is made up of the eyebrows and eyelashes. In the case of trauma or injury, the replacement of eyelashes restores aesthetic symmetry of the face and eyes as well as protects the eye from foreign material such as dirt and dust motes.
Procedure Description
Eyelash transplantation is performed in an outpatient setting and takes several hours to complete. Under comfortable local anesthesia, “donor” follicles are harvested from the back of the head and implanted one or two at a time into the eyelid area. Approximately 30 lashes are implanted per lid during a single procedure.
Recuperation and Healing
– Some soreness may be experienced in the donor area, as well as the eyelids, several hours after the procedure.
– Oral pain medication is usually prescribed.
– Protective goggles should be worn while sleeping for several nights.
– Mild swelling and/or bruising in the eyelid area may last up to two weeks.
– Mascara and other eye-makeup should be avoided for at least one week. Throw away your present makeup and purchase new makeup for post-op use as old makeup harbors bacteria and may lead to postoperative infection.
– Implanted lashes shed within two weeks and then begin to regrow starting in 6-12 weeks.
– Ideally up to 80-90% of the implanted lashes grow.
– A complete cosmetic result takes up to 12 months.
Other Options
- Some patients may require more than one session of eyelash transplantation to reach their desired goal.
- Eyelash transplantation is a highly specialized form of hair transplantation performed by only few surgeons worldwide.
- Some surgeons advocate eyelash transplantation only for reconstructive purposes, others perform eyelash transplantation for both cosmetic and reconstructive cases.
Notes
The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can only be determined at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.
