Can Eyebrow Pencils Cause Hair Loss?

Are your eyebrows looking sparse? A nice eyebrow pencil can help you get those Instagram-worthy brows in no time, correct? 

However, there’s a notion circulating among makeup enthusiasts who’ve suffered from brow thinning. They insist that brow pencils, the life-saving simple gadget that we all love, can somehow contribute to sparse-looking, thin brows. Well, the answer is not exactly black or white. Confused? We’ll help break everything down to get you up to speed.

Is It Possible for Eyebrow Pencils to Cause Hair Loss?

The straightforward answer is “not directly”. That being said, eyebrow pencils can aggravate conditions that you were already exposed to or perhaps cause you to have an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the pencil.

Allergic reaction to an ingredient(s)

If you develop a contact allergic reaction to one of the ingredients inside the product, it may lead to hair fall. Another reason for hairfall is if you end up developing an infection because your eyebrow pencil becomes contaminated somehow. This can affect your brow hair follicles, resulting in temporary thinning. 

Overdoing the deed

If you’re using too many brow products too often, it can be detrimental. Filling in your brows with a powder or cream and then using a gel to set it day in and day out can clog the hair follicle and also weaken the hair strand. Unless such a routine is only done occasionally or complemented with proper aftercare, your brows will be facing the consequences.

Sharp applicators

Ensure that the tools you are using to apply your brow products, such as brushes and spoolies, aren’t sharp or rough. It can be tough to spot abrasions between brow hair, and they can easily become infected if not treated with care. This applies to eyebrow pencils which are sharp and hard too.

Some Genuine Causes of Eyebrow Loss You May Want to Pay Heed to

If you have one of the following conditions combined with one of the aforementioned incidents, things may aggravate excessively, but it’s important to identify the true cause to treat it.

Hormonal changes

Your body goes through many hormonal changes as you age. Less estrogen, increased testosterone, or vice versa, can cause thinning of brow hair.

Diet

A poor diet will lead to hair loss not just on your brows but on your head, too! This may be because there’s a lack or excess of essential nutrients in your diet.

Ageing

Losing hair as you age is a common phenomenon. If you’re above 30 and your brows aren’t as thick as before – don’t fret! It’s completely normal.

Alopecia areata

Around 2 out of 50 people will suffer from alopecia areata at some point in their life, leaving bald spots on random parts of their body. Some may encounter frontal alopecia that may result in balding from the crown and facial hair loss.

Types of Eyebrow Pencils to Opt for

With or without a spoolie?

Some eyebrow pencils come with a spoolie attached on one end while others don’t. We’d recommend getting one with a spoolie because it’ll make it much easier for you to do your brows on the grow. You’ll most likely brush your brow hair before applying any product and possibly even after to blur out any harsh lines. 

Waterproof or not?

Waterproof products are lifesavers when it comes to ensuring your makeup stays put even on the warmest days! That being said, they’re more likely to clog your pores and require you to be more thorough with your cleansing routine. Eyebrow pencils are no different, and the waterproof kind may cause you to lose brow hair if you try to remove them too aggressively. 

Winding It Up With Some Tips for Preventing Eyebrow Loss

• You don’t have to be afraid to use eyebrow pencils. If you’re using them right and in moderation, they won’t cause any hair loss.
• An improperly-maintained pencil can cause an infection, so be vigilant about your hygiene.
• If you’re experiencing hair fall anywhere on your body but your eyebrows, consult a dermatologist right away.