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Life With Alopecia Your Guide to Microblading Eyelash Extensions and More
You don’t have to settle for patchy eyebrows and sparse lashes. These cosmetic treatments can help when hair loss affects your face.
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Lily Watson Moderator
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Friday, 02 May 2025
By Jennifer Kelly GeddesMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: August 16, 2022Medically ReviewedAlopecia areata can affect more than just the hair on your head.ShutterstockHair loss due to alopecia can be discouraging. It impacts not only your outward appearance, but often your self-esteem as well. While many people who have alopecia feel confident in the visible display of their condition, others may be interested in camouflaging or disguising hair loss.
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Amelia Singh 1 minutes ago
Alopecia areata (AA), a type of alopecia or hair loss, is categorized by patchy or complete hair los...
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Julia Zhang Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
Alopecia areata (AA), a type of alopecia or hair loss, is categorized by patchy or complete hair loss. It’s a type of autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own hair follicles, which can cause hair loss in any spot where it naturally grows. Meaning, it can affect more than just your scalp.
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Scarlett Brown 8 minutes ago
People with more severe forms or progressions of alopecia areata, including alopecia totalis (AT) or...
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James Smith 1 minutes ago
Several cosmetic procedures are available to help address AA and conceal the look of sparse or missi...
People with more severe forms or progressions of alopecia areata, including alopecia totalis (AT) or alopecia universalis (AU), often experience near or total body hair loss. In fact, research shows that in up to 76 percent of cases, alopecia can affect the eyebrows and eyelashes — two of the most prominent, visible areas of the body. But living with alopecia areata doesn’t mean you have to accept facial hair loss if you’re not comfortable with it.
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Madison Singh 16 minutes ago
Several cosmetic procedures are available to help address AA and conceal the look of sparse or missi...
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Sebastian Silva 5 minutes ago
It’s often used to fill in sparse or nonexistent eyebrows, and the results provide a very natural ...
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Andrew Wilson Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
Several cosmetic procedures are available to help address AA and conceal the look of sparse or missing facial hair. Learn more about these semipermanent cosmetic options to improve eyebrow and eyelash loss.
Microblading
Microblading is a semipermanent cosmetic procedure that’s similar to tattooing.
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David Cohen 5 minutes ago
It’s often used to fill in sparse or nonexistent eyebrows, and the results provide a very natural ...
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Brandon Kumar 19 minutes ago
The initial procedure often takes a couple of hours. A second appointment is typically made to tweak...
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Sophie Martin Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
It’s often used to fill in sparse or nonexistent eyebrows, and the results provide a very natural appearance. With microblading, a cosmetic dermatologist or licensed aesthetician uses a handheld device that has tiny blades with ink inside. Micro incisions are then made in the skin where the semipermanent color is then added.
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Hannah Kim Member
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The initial procedure often takes a couple of hours. A second appointment is typically made to tweak the initial design.
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Ethan Thomas 35 minutes ago
Microblading does fade after a year or so, so future touch-ups are necessary to maintain the look. M...
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Thomas Anderson Member
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Microblading does fade after a year or so, so future touch-ups are necessary to maintain the look. Microblading costs vary widely depending on where you live and who performs it, but you can expect to pay at least several hundred dollars. While it can be mildly uncomfortable, microblading is generally thought to be less painful that tattooing.
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Jack Thompson Member
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“The main difference is that the depth of microblading is more superficial than a typical tattoo,” explains Robert Finney, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Entière Dermatology in New York City. For those with alopecia areata who are considering microblading, consult with your dermatologist before undergoing this procedure.
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Audrey Mueller 1 minutes ago
Certain things that may accompany alopecia could pose an issue, such as:Your Age Microblading may no...
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Evelyn Zhang 3 minutes ago
Also known as the Koebner phenomenon, it triggers the appearance of new lesions on otherwise healthy...
Certain things that may accompany alopecia could pose an issue, such as:Your Age Microblading may not work well on aging skin, so talk to your doctor if you’re over age 55.Your Health History For example, other autoimmune or skin conditions, like lupus or psoriasis, may not be a good match for microblading.Your Alopecia Treatment Plan If you’re taking thyroid medication to help your alopecia, the color may not appear as natural as you might like. “With alopecia areata, there’s also small risk of Koebnerization, which is a phenomenon where friction or trauma can cause patches of the disease,” explains Dr. Finney.
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Henry Schmidt 2 minutes ago
Also known as the Koebner phenomenon, it triggers the appearance of new lesions on otherwise healthy...
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Sebastian Silva 3 minutes ago
Consider seeking out a cosmetic dermatologist who has familiarity with alopecia areata to perform th...
Also known as the Koebner phenomenon, it triggers the appearance of new lesions on otherwise healthy skin, which means “there’s a small risk the microblading could trigger a flare,” he adds. Be sure to carefully vet the specialist who will perform the microblading, as it’s a delicate procedure.
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Sofia Garcia Member
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Consider seeking out a cosmetic dermatologist who has familiarity with alopecia areata to perform this procedure.
Nanoblading and Microshading
The microblading world has exploded of late, with brand new variations on the theme.
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Ethan Thomas 37 minutes ago
One is called nanoblading, which uses even more delicate needles compared with microblading, and res...
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Julia Zhang 44 minutes ago
Another form, known as microshading or micropigmentation, can be performed on the eyebrows and eyela...
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Hannah Kim Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
One is called nanoblading, which uses even more delicate needles compared with microblading, and results in super fine lines that look like real human hair. Want even more detail above your eye? Try 6D microblading to create the illusion of more hair on the brow using short and long strokes of the device.
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Evelyn Zhang 12 minutes ago
Another form, known as microshading or micropigmentation, can be performed on the eyebrows and eyela...
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Mia Anderson Member
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Another form, known as microshading or micropigmentation, can be performed on the eyebrows and eyelash area to add color or an ombre appearance. Micropigmentation consists of tiny dots that are made with a motorized instrument shaped like a pen. This device penetrates the skin more deeply than microblading and can last up to twice as long as a result.
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Henry Schmidt 44 minutes ago
As to the risks of any of these blading and shading techniques, some swelling and bleeding can occur...
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Daniel Kumar Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
As to the risks of any of these blading and shading techniques, some swelling and bleeding can occur; infection may also develop and allergic reactions to the inks are sometimes possible. That’s why it’s important to work with an aesthetician or cosmetic dermatologist who understands AA when considering this type of procedure.
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Zoe Mueller 1 minutes ago
False Eyelashes and Extensions
For the loss of eyelashes due to alopecia areata, eyelash ex...
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Natalie Lopez 19 minutes ago
While they’re related to false eyelashes, extensions are semipermanent pieces that are glued on in...
For the loss of eyelashes due to alopecia areata, eyelash extensions are sometimes recommended if there’s enough lash hair remaining to which the extensions can be attached. If you’re experiencing a period of regrowth and want to thicken and enhance the lashes you already have, this might be an option for you.
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Henry Schmidt 25 minutes ago
While they’re related to false eyelashes, extensions are semipermanent pieces that are glued on in...
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Amelia Singh 16 minutes ago
Extensions cost more, too. You may have to pay around $150 for the initial application, which can ta...
While they’re related to false eyelashes, extensions are semipermanent pieces that are glued on individually by an experienced aesthetician. Extensions last for a couple of weeks — whereas false eyelashes are usually a one-time thing that you wear for a day.
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William Brown 85 minutes ago
Extensions cost more, too. You may have to pay around $150 for the initial application, which can ta...
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Ryan Garcia Member
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Extensions cost more, too. You may have to pay around $150 for the initial application, which can take an hour or more to complete.
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William Brown 17 minutes ago
You’ll also have to pay to maintain and refill the lashes, potentially adding several hundred doll...
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Natalie Lopez 50 minutes ago
Eyelash extensions are not without risk. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that certain ...
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Christopher Lee Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
You’ll also have to pay to maintain and refill the lashes, potentially adding several hundred dollars more to the total cost. False eyelashes may be the only choice for those with more severe alopecia resulting in minimal or no existing eyelash hair to work with, says Finney. “With false eyelashes, you can glue the strip to the skin just above the lash line, which doesn’t require existing eyelashes — and this would be the better route for most patients,” he explains.
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Zoe Mueller Member
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Eyelash extensions are not without risk. The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that certain adhesives made with formaldehyde used to create extensions may cause an allergic reaction or lead to swelling of the lid or an infection of the cornea or eyelid. What’s worse, the application of cosmetic eyelash extensions could even result in more permanent eyelash loss.
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Oliver Taylor Member
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Friday, 02 May 2025
So, proceed with caution, and always consult your dermatologist before considering a cosmetic procedure like this.
Laser Hair Removal
Alopecia areata is often characterized by patchy hair thinning and uneven growth when it returns. To combat this outcome, consider laser hair removal.
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Sebastian Silva Member
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This common medical procedure involves using a laser beam of light to heat up hair follicles and delay future hair from sprouting. While not completely permanent, laser hair removal can be a quick and relatively inexpensive way to remove errant hairs on the upper lip, chin, and other areas. Though it does take multiple appointments to achieve the desired result.
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Sofia Garcia Member
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The risks related to laser hair removal include redness at the site and swelling, as well as possible lightening or darkening of your skin color once the procedure is complete. In rare cases blisters and changes in the skin’s texture can occur. Keep in mind that this cosmetic treatment isn’t recommended for the eyelids or eyebrows as this area is sensitive and could easily be injured.
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Harper Kim 33 minutes ago
As with any other cosmetic procedure, talk to your dermatologist before giving laser hair removal a ...
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Amelia Singh Moderator
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Friday, 02 May 2025
As with any other cosmetic procedure, talk to your dermatologist before giving laser hair removal a go.
Eyebrow and Lash Makeup
If you’re weary about undergoing a cosmetic procedure, this option is for you.
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Brandon Kumar 59 minutes ago
Cosmetic counters are packed with makeup options that can help:Fill in sparse browsDraw on a more na...
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Sophie Martin 28 minutes ago
Work with your dermatologist to determine which strategies you’re most comfortable trying to help ...
Cosmetic counters are packed with makeup options that can help:Fill in sparse browsDraw on a more natural (or dramatic!) lookDarken or enhance spotty eyelashes
Brow fillers in particular are more popular than ever and come in the form of pencils, powders and crayons that can create the shape you want. Gels can add shine and hold your design in place. Both eyebrow and eyelash makeup come in a wide array of colors to match many skin tones and hair colors too.
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Ethan Thomas 13 minutes ago
Work with your dermatologist to determine which strategies you’re most comfortable trying to help ...
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Work with your dermatologist to determine which strategies you’re most comfortable trying to help boost your confidence about your appearance. NEWSLETTERS
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