7 Ways to Regrow Overplucked Eyebrows

Step one: Don't panic

woman's face

Stocksy / Design by Camden Dechert

If you've ever fallen victim to a brow mishap (whether done by a professional or by yourself), you know the struggle that quickly ensues to undo the mess. The danger? Whether it be uneven arches or crooked tails, you're liable to worsen the problem on your quest to fix it. Bottom line: Brows take center stage of your face and require a lot of work to hide any mistakes.

While we're not advocating for a scissor-happy routine that includes plucking and trimming away, experts agree that there are ways to bring your brows back to recovery and achieve the full, bushy arches of your dreams. We tapped the pros to share tried-and-true tips on how to fix overplucked eyebrows. Trust us: The professionals have seen it all, so their word is gospel.

Keep scrolling to find out how to grow your eyebrows back.

01 of 07

Be Patient With the Hair Growth Cycle

First things first, don’t freak out. It’s hard to think of this at the moment, but brows don’t grow back overnight. “Over-tweezed eyebrows are a super downer, and to be honest, I would recommend letting them breathe for six to eight weeks before seeking a professional,” says Giselle Soto, celebrity brow specialist and CEO and founder of Giselle Soto Brows. “Patience is the key!” With eyebrows, sometimes you have to allow them to go through a rough phase when attempting to mount a full brow comeback.

Keep in mind that as your eyebrows are growing back, they are also falling out, just like any other hair on your body. Soto notes that everyone’s hair regeneration grows at a different pace. “For some people, eyebrow hair will grow back quickly and need maintenance every two weeks. For others, it could take a couple of months and sometimes longer," she says.

02 of 07

Visit a Pro for Shaping

“I do not recommend tweezing in between appointments—not only does this mess with the hair growth cycle, but also it messes with the shape of your eyebrows," warns Soto. "I typically recommend my clients come to see me approximately every three to four weeks to preserve their brow shape. If clients come in sooner than necessary, it may not allow the brows to properly grow in where needed. If clients come in too late, it forces the artist to have to completely reshape the eyebrows.”

Francesca Roman, a master brow specialist at Butterfly Studio Salon, agrees, stressing that unless you're able to resist the urge of tweezing more than three brow hairs, it’s best to leave it to a professional. "Some people can’t keep their hands off of their brows, and if that’s the case, then I often give them an ‘eyebrow lesson’ by filling them into the desired thickness, and together with a hand mirror, I teach and show them exactly where to touch and where not to touch on the brow.” Bottom line: if you're tempted to mess with your shape, it's time to visit a pro.

When tweezing strays, Dominique Lerma, executive artist for Omnia Brush and Moda Brush, recommends filling in the brows as if they were freshly groomed and then carefully tweezing around the hairs. This, paired with good lighting will reduce your risk of over-tweezing.

03 of 07

Stimulate Hair Growth With Oils

While you’re letting your brows do their thing, there are products to get you through. “Caring for your brows in between appointments with an oil will help to condition the existing brow hair as well as stimulate new hair growth,” notes Jaimineey Patel, head of training at Blink Brow Bar London. She recommends rosemary oil: "It has been used for centuries as an aid in promoting natural hair growth," she says.

Key Ingredients

Rosemary leaf extract is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin and prevents signs of premature aging. Rosmarinic acid (its main component) helps calm skin conditions like eczema and acne.

Of course, there's castor oil (aka the holy-grail brow-lengthening product touted by many for its brow-growing powers): “Castor oil carries natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and is rich in vitamin E,” says Lerma. “This can also be added to your lashes as well." It is highly recommended to test a small patch of your skin for any allergies before thoroughly applying it to the brow area.

Roman adds that castor oil is a healthy alternative for those who want to go the natural route. “[Castor oil] is perfect for vegans and those that want a purely natural approach to caring for their brows,” she explains. “It has so many nutrients to help speed up the growth process.” Try Heritage Store's Lavender Castor Oil ($12), which is as soothing as it is nourishing thanks to its blend of lavender and castor oil. Keep in mind that if you are pregnant, you should avoid castor oil as it can spark contractions or incite premature labor.

Consistency is key for brow growth products; apply nightly to try to stimulate hair growth.

04 of 07

Hide Strays With Concealer

If you're trying to regrow your brows as a result of over-plucking, you're likely experiencing one too many stray hairs. Finding ways to camouflage them will help you resist the urge to tweeze them out. First step: find a formula that has highlighting properties like this one from Cover FX, which comes in a slew of shades to pop wherever you're looking to conceal. To use, apply a small amount of product onto the back of your hand. Using a small makeup brush, begin blending on top of any stray hairs. Choose a shade or two lighter than your natural skin tone if you're craving a more brightening effect, which will draw attention away from your (regrowing) brows and onto your eye area.

05 of 07

Use a Tinted Brow Gel to Fake Fullness

Sometimes, faking it until you make it with subtle makeup tricks can help you cheat your way to a fuller, thicker brow—especially if its formula contains brow-enhancing properties that'll assist with the regrowth process. For a natural look, turn to a tinted brow gel like this one from BareMinerals. It features a plant-based serum meant to promote hair growth and give the appearance of fuller brows—instantly and over time.

06 of 07

Fill In Gaps With a Brow Pomade

Sometimes, a tinted brow gel just won't cut it. Soto suggests staying away from wax-based products, as they may cause you to accidentally tug out hairs, resulting in unwanted sparse areas. Instead, opt for a creamy brow pencil or brow pomade to fix any patchy or uneven brows. “The time-friendliest way to fix an over-plucked brow is to use a brow pomade to fill in the hollow and sparse areas of the brow,” says Lerma, who recommends using this brow pomade from Anastasia Beverly Hills to underline the brow and lightly feather in a shape that mimics the natural appearance of hair growth.

07 of 07

Condition Brows With a Serum

A brow-specific serum promises to help create a conditioning environment for brows to grow. Roman recommends this one from Neubrow for its soothing, moisturizing properties and touts its essential oils for providing healthier-looking brows. Another favorite is the Librow Purified Lash Serum ($90), which Roman says can help you achieve bold, thick brows with its advanced conditioning technology.

FAQ
  • How often should I be plucking my eyebrows?

    Everybody's brow hair grows at a different pace, but plucking every three to four weeks is a safe bet. If you pluck daily your eyebrow hairs will start to grow at different rates, resulting in an uneven look.

  • Will methods like microblading help my eyebrows to grow faster?

    Microblading provides instant results by mimicking brow strands with ink, but it will not generate natural hair growth.

  • Are there any supplements you can take to aid in the growth of brows?

    Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E all aid in hair growth which can help increase the fullness and growth of brow hair. Biotin—one of the B vitamins—is another supplement that can help with brow growth and is found in foods and beverages such as nuts, egg yolks, bananas, mushrooms, and more.

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