Have you noticed your eyebrows started thinning in your 50s and 60s while hair suddenly started appearing on other parts of your body? This my friends, is completely normal.
Being of East Indian origin, I had thick eyebrows that I absolutely loved during my younger years. They were easy to shape and were one of the few features I was happy with on my face! We all had something we liked on our faces (I least I hope we all did!) and mine were my eyebrows. Not anymore friends!
As we age, our hair thins. This includes the hair on heads but also our eyelashes and eyebrows. Our eyelashes and eyebrows define our face to a certain extent and it is hard to accept when they start thinning out or completely falling out. Our faces just don’t look the same. Some older women’s eyebrows become unruly and that is also a tough one to deal with.
Sculpted, thicker brows have become a desirable attribute and I am going to give you several options on how to achieve them. Being of East Indian origin, I had thick eyebrows that I loved. It is one of the few features I was happy with on my face. In this post, I will shed light on thinning brows and what you can do to make them appear fuller and sleeker.
Why brow thinning happens:
over plucking/threading/waxing:
This one is on us unfortunately. It is possible that over-plucking, threading and waxing in the past caused scar tissue to grow which ended the growth of hairs in certain areas.
hormonal changes due to menopause:
This one is very common in your 50s when your body is going through a huge hormonal shift. During this phase of our lives, hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and prostaglandin begin to diminish. This causes the hairs to become thin, weak and eventually fall out.
bad nutrition:
Nutritional deficiencies may also contribute to thinning brows and eyelashes. Try eating foods high in zinc, protein, vitamin C and iron. Deficiencies in other nutrients may also contribute to loss of eyebrows. You might want to see a dietician or your doctor to discuss exactly which supplements to use as I am no doctor!
skin:
Aging skin is not as elastic as young skin. This contributes to hairs to falling out since the hair follicles become weak.
Some conditions that cause itchiness in the brows such as eczema or psoriasis can cause hair loss. If you have these conditions, try not to scratch your brows.
medical conditions and treatments for medical conditions:
I am not an expert in the medical causes but can tell you that issues with the thyroid gland and the autoimmune disease alopecia, can cause thinning of the brows. Chemotherapy results in hair loss. There may be other medical conditions but best to see your doctor for a discussion and a possible need for bloodwork.
Solutions:
I will talk mostly about cosmetic solutions as I am not a medical doctor. No matter the reason for your brow thinning, there is a solution for you!
go easy with plucking!
This one is more about prevention but worth mentioning. You never know when the hairs will stop growing so be mindful of over-plucking/waxing/threading. After some time, the hairs will not grow back so resist the temptation!
cosmetic solutions:
Styles come and go but as you know, bold brows are in and will continue to be all the rage over and over again. Thick healthy brows add an element of youth to your face. I was so sad to witness the thinning of my brows. I regretted ever hating them for being thick and full (same goes for the hair on my head but that’s another post!).
Makeup can be your best friend whatever the reason of your thinning brows. There are gels/pomades, eyeshadow-type powder and pencils. There are all types of solutions so let’s take a closer look at what is available out there!
I have added a few photos of my brows using different products. Which one do you prefer? Here is a photo of my bare brow without any make-up.
eyebrow pencils:
If you prefer filling in bare spots or creating precise brow lines, then pencils are for you. Be careful to start slow until your hands become steady and you do not create stark lines that you did not intend to draw! That would give you a harsh look and draw the eyes to your scary brows. Pencils give more precision as the newer tips are very thin.
Start at the end closer to your nose and work your way outward to the tail of your brow. Use short strokes to avoid mishaps! Oh, I was once told by a Sephora associate to always choose one colour lighter than my skin.
powders:
Powders give a nice natural, soft look. It is best to build the shape slowly using small stroke-line motions with a little bit of powder to start. They are very similar to eyeshadows and come with the perfect angled applicators. If you purchase a double shade one, use the lighter shade first and then the darker one. I love using powders and this is my favourite solution so far.
As you can see, the effect is minimal and soft. I use a powder on most days.
gels:
The weirdest thing happens to our brows when we get old. They thin out but the stray ones become as thick and strong as ever! Gels deliver cover-up quickly and can tame stray hairs but can get messy if you apply too much or you get sweaty. They work well on brows that are naturally thick. Gels can get messy so keep a tissue nearby.
Tinted gels are also great for darkening light brows or grey hairs. Use this when you need a more prominent brow. Perhaps for an evening or special event?
tatoo pens and mascaras:
These pens are used to manually tint brows for three to seven days and might be the perfect choice for a little weekend get-a-way or short trip! Salon tinting lasts longer (around 2 weeks) but this is an excellent short term alternative. Just put it on, let it dry and wash off. Tip: keep a Q-tip close by in case you apply too much.
waxes:
Waxes are also great to tame unruly brows. They are tinted so they are effective in providing a long-lasting look. Use a spoolie brush (looks like a small mascara brush) to blend the wax to get an even look. Be careful not to apply too much – that would give you a heavy, caked on look.
Waxes are good for filling in but not great at creating overall shape.
brow markers:
These are exactly what the name implies. They are fine markers filled with pigment. They are easy to use and give you precision. Just remember to start off with small strokes and slowly build up your look.
henna brows:
Henna is one of the oldest hair dyes out there. And I mean oldest. This dye colours the hairs and the skin so your brows appear of even thicker.
You might be wondering what henna is exactly. Henna, also known as mendhi (the paste used to make the gorgeous body art on hands and feet of Indian women at Indian weddings and other celebrations) is a dye derived from the leaves of the henna plant.
The whole process is completed under an hour and is completely painless. You can expect the dye to last up to three weeks.
conditioning serums
The conditioning serums on the market are specifically made for eyebrows and claim to improve brow health and give brows a thicker look. If you prefer trying something completely natural, dip a spoolie brush into castor oil and apply to your brows at night.
Semi-Permanent to Permanent Solutions:
Microblading
Microblading is a semi-permanent tattoo. Friends have said the procedure is not as painful as it sounds and is definitely less painful than tattoos. They last from one to three years. So if you could not be bothered to apply makeup every day, this option may be for you! Definitely, look for a reputable salon with experienced and licensed professionals. I might just try this one day!
tattoos
This technique is permanent and for the brave I would say. My only comment here is to make sure you find a reputable tattoo artist!
I hope you are able to find a solution that you are comfortable and happy with!
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