Thin eyebrows went out of style years ago, but some of us are still stuck in the past—and not by choice. Whether you over-tweezed in high school, are experiencing hair loss in your brow area due to age, alopecia, chemotherapy, or something else, chances are you’ve become quite dependent on that eyebrow pencil or gel.

When it comes to eyebrow growth serums, the reviews are mixed and results tend to only last as long as you use the products. Microblading only offers temporary results, comes with the risk of infection or allergy, and if not performed properly, can leave permanent scarring or disfigurement.

Fortunately, there’s another option that offers natural-looking and permanent results: eyebrow transplants. Performed by Dr. Jason Champagne, a double-certified facial plastic and hair restoration surgeon in Beverly Hills, this popular procedure offers stellar results for his patients, which include actress Meagan Good who recently underwent an eyebrow transplant. What’s more, Dr. Champagne’s reputation for completely natural-appearing results tailored to each individual is something he takes tremendous pride in.

“My experience and artistry have garnered many clients who seek me out for eyebrow transplantation and Champagne glow treatments,” he said. “When patients come to my practice, they receive world-class services and care in a relaxing, family-friendly environment. My staff help ensure both local patients and those visiting from around the globe have a seamless experience. This includes assisting with everything from travel and hotel tips to coordinating one-on-one nursing care at our affiliated aftercare facility. This experience is what I’m most proud of and is what sets us apart from others.”

We chatted with Dr. Champagne, who answered all of our questions and shared more insight into this innovative cosmetic surgery procedure that offers natural-looking results.

How long have eyebrow transplants been around?

With the advent of new, more refined hair transplantation techniques in the 1990s, eyebrow transplantation became possible. Although eyebrow hair transplantation has been performed for more than 20 years, it has only become popularized more recently with the current trend of the full brow look.

Are other surgeons offering this procedure?

Eyebrow transplantation is available around the U.S. and abroad. However, patients should seek a surgeon who has a great deal of experience and performs the procedure on a very regular basis. The design of the eyebrow shape with the individual's facial features in mind is extremely important as is the direction and angle of exit of hair grafts for optimal, natural-appearing results.

How does it work?

Eyebrow hair transplantation is performed as an in-office, outpatient procedure using oral sedation and local anesthesia. General anesthesia isn’t required. I personally design the shape and dimensions of the eyebrows, along with the patient's input, paying close attention to balance the brows with each individual's facial features.

Utilizing local anesthesia, hair is harvested typically from the back of the head by either removing a strip of donor hair, which is then divided into individual hairs using microscopes, or punched out one-by-one. These donor hairs are then placed within the planned eyebrow area into individual tiny incision sites just large enough to accept the hair follicle. I create each site to flow with the angle of exit and direction of eyebrow hairs to give a completely natural-appearing result. Once transplanted, the follicles will grow new hairs beginning 3-4 months after the procedure and best results are seen at 6-8 months.

What are the benefits of eyebrow transplants as opposed to microblading?

Eyebrow transplants are the best way to achieve permanent, three-dimensional eyebrows. With transplantation, your own hair is transferred typically from the back of the head to your brow region to create a new, fuller eyebrow. Hairs grow naturally and are permanent. Microblading, on the other hand, is a method by which pigment is used to create the appearance of hairs within the very outer layers of the skin. This process is not real hair, does not give a three-dimensional look, and tends to fade over time, so it’s a process that must be repeated to maintain results.

Are eyebrow transplants painful? Are there any risks or potential side effects?

Because local anesthesia and oral sedation are used, the procedure isn’t painful. Afterwards, you may experience soreness in the donor area at the back of your head that resolves within 24-48 hours. The eyebrow region is typically painless after the procedure because the hairs are transplanted very superficially. As with any surgical procedure, in addition to pain there is a risk of bleeding, scarring, and infection. I always prescribe pain medication for use after the procedure, as well as antibiotics to prevent risk of infection—which is extremely rare.

Are results permanent?

In the hands of an experienced surgeon who will be able to choose proper candidates for the procedure, hair transplants should be permanent.

Who is a candidate for eyebrow transplants?

In general, most patients are appropriate candidates for the eyebrow transplant. Because the best-quality donor hair is typically found on the back of the scalp, straight to slightly wavy hair is ideal for best results since very curly hair could translate to curl within the brows. Reasonable good medical condition is important to minimize the risk of complications. In addition, patients who have lost their eyebrow hairs as a result of genetics, over-plucking, or trauma are generally the best candidates. Patients with alopecia and other medical causes for hair loss are not typically good candidates and would need to be evaluated on an individual basis.

How many times does one need to undergo the procedure?

Most patients will only need to undergo the procedure once to achieve their goals. In some cases, such as in-patients who have scar tissue from traumatic injury or due to procedures like microblading and tattooing, a second procedure may be required. This is because scar tissue has reduced blood flow and some of the transplanted follicles may not "take" as well as when there is no scar tissue present. Many patients who have had microblading or tattooing of their eyebrows, however, do not require a second procedure.

Anything else we should know?

One final thing to note about eyebrow hair transplantation is that because donor hair is typically borrowed from the back of the head, transplanted hair within the brows will need to maintained once or twice per week with a quick, easy trim to appropriate eyebrow hair length, since hairs will continue to grow as if they were still on the scalp.

For more information and to book a consultation, visit jasonchampagnemd.com or call 310-859-2379. Follow Dr. Champagne on Instagram: @drjasonchampagne

[Images courtesy of Dr. Jason Champagne]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk