Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2017 Issue

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health & beauty ║ dermatology
Eyebrow
Thinning
By Thomas C. Balshi, M.D.
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Medically, it’s known as superciliary madarosis, from the Greek madaros,
which means “bald.” Women, who often regard this as devastating, simply
know it as thinning eyebrows. Surprisingly, most women over 40 are affected.
Eyebrows are a very important part of an
attractive face. Male or female, the brows
contribute to the emotion of the face. Like
window treatments enhancing beautiful
windows, the brows add the finishing touch
to a pair of healthy, sparkling eyes. Lush
thick brows imply youth. In combination
with the eyes they facilitate our interactive
skills with others. They are part of our natural
make-up and our face just doesn’t look
the same without them.
There are many reasons why someone can
lose eyebrow hair. Years of over plucking
can be the culprit but there are also medical
conditions that result in thinning of the eyebrows.
The first step should be to identify
the cause and then we move on to determine
the best “fix.”
Below are the most common causes of
thinning eyebrows.
1. Hypothyroidism
Also known as Queen Anne’s sign, it’s not
nearly as beautiful as the name implies. It’s
50 January 2017 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
a thinning of the lateral third
of one’s eyebrows and can be
a result of hypothyroidism.
If you notice you’re feeling
fatigued, have low moods
and dry skin, or are becoming
intolerant to cold, you
are exhibiting symptoms and
should consult an endocrinologist.
2. Nutrient deficiency
Diets that are short on vitamins
A, E, D and B can lead to
a thinning of the eyebrows. A
lack of biotin, iron and lysine
will also make the hair weak
and brows look sparse. Luckily,
most of these nutrients can
be found in natural foods like
walnuts, spinach, carrots and kale. They’re
also available in eggs and fish. A healthy diet
might alleviate the problem.
3. Seborrheic Dermatitis
Seb Derm, commonly known as eczema, it
can be found anywhere on the body. And yes,
that includes the skin underneath the eyebrows.
Red, itchy patches become inflamed
and hair thins over these patches. This is
one for the dermatologist.
4. Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune
disease in which the immune system erroneously
attacks the hair follicles, causing
inflammation and temporary hair loss. Any
hair-bearing skin site can be affected by alopecia
areata, including the eyebrows. Again,
see the dermatologist.
5. Aging
As one grows old, the production of hormones
like estrogen decreases. This makes
one susceptible to levels of DHT in hair follicles.
DHT (a hormone like testosterone)
forms a barrier that prevents the nutrients
from reaching the hair. When that happens,
brow hairs begin to fall as a result. This is
the toughest “fix.”
What should one do if suffering from
eyebrow thinning?
1. If due to thyroid issues, an endocrinologist
will be able to provide medications to
treat the condition.
2. Try eating healthy and consuming lots
of natural vitamins.
3. See a dermatologist for thinning combined
with redness or discomfort.
4. People who have thinning brows due to
age might want to consider permanent cosmetic
tattoos. The road to permanent, beautiful
brows could start with something as
simple as finding a good technician. Or for
a less aggressive approach, there are several
makeup tips on YouTube about how to make
thinning eyebrows look fuller.
5. Protect what you have. If you notice
your brows thinning, don’t make it worse by
continuing with the plucking, shaving, rubbing
or any of the other stuff you used to do.
Instead, take care to pamper the brows and
wash them tenderly.
6. Try re-growth serums. Dermatologists
may offer a serum specifically for eyebrows.
These are different from “Rogaine” which
does not work to re-grow eyebrows. Always
consult with a doctor when involving the use
of serums.
Most importantly, whether medically
caused or strictly a cosmetic issue, a good
dermatologist will understand your need
and advise you the best way to achieve it.
Dr. Thomas C. Balshi
4665 West Atlantic Ave.
561-272-6000
southflderm.com
www.balshimd.com