What is eyebrow transplant surgery and what does it cost?
The popular 90s trend of over plucked eyebrows is out as thick and bold brows continue to dominate our Instagram feeds.
While procedures like feathering, microblading and makeup products are often used to help sparse brows appear fuller, eyebrow transplants are helping people achieve a more natural result.
Model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen put eyebrow transplants in the spotlight after sharing her experience online late last year.
“I never wear makeup if I can avoid it so I was so excited for this eyebrow transplant surgery where they take hairs from the back of your head,” she wrote on Instagram.
In a post-surgery picture, the 35-year-old warned others not to “pluck them [eyebrows] off like I did.”
Sydney-based eyebrow specialist Lana Tarek said a transplant helps her clients better frame their face if they have sparse brows.
“We have had many clients who have had hair transplants in their brows simply for the fact that their natural brows are too thin and they want more of a thicker and natural look with actual hair in their brows,” she said.
What is an eyebrow transplant?
According to Ms Tarek, an eyebrow transplant is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed by a cosmetic practitioner or doctor where hair from the scalp is transferred to the brow area for a desired eyebrow look.
“It involves taking hair grafts from the scalp and implanting them into the brow area to give the effect of fuller brows,” she said.
The surgery takes roughly 5 – 7 hours and is often divided into two sessions.
“The first session involves the removal of the hair graft from the scalp, and the second session focuses on the transplantation into the brows,” she said.
How much does an eyebrow transplant cost?
While the price depends on the individual patient, an eyebrow transplant usually ranges from $4000 – $7000.
Are eyebrow transplants covered by private health insurance?
Ms Tarek advised that because a hair transplant is considered non-medical surgery, eyebrow transplants are not covered by health insurance, unlike some other cosmetic surgeries that are deemed medically necessary.
HCF Chief Officer Member Health Julie Andrews, said like other health funds, HCF won’t cover any of the costs for eyebrow transplant surgery.
“There aren’t any items in the Medicare Benefits Scheme for eyebrow transplants, so it’s not deemed medically necessary,” she said.
For medically necessary plastic surgeries, Ms Andrews said costs depend on a range of factors, including the level of cover the member has, how much of the procedure or surgery will be covered by Medicare, and how much the hospital and surgeon charge.
“It’s best to chat with your doctor or specialist as well as your health fund about costs as there might be a gap agreement on your policy,” she said.
What plastic surgeries does private health insurance cover?
HCF, like other private health funds, will cover plastic surgery that’s recognised as medically necessary by Medicare.
“If it’s purely for aesthetic reasons, it’s unlikely to be covered as it won’t be deemed medically necessary,” Ms Andrews said.
Medically necessary plastic and reconstructive surgeries recognised by Medicare include rhinoplasty and liposuction in certain circumstances.
At HCF, Ms Andrews said the most common plastic and reconstructive surgery claims are for skin graft or skin flap procedures.
“For example, a member may have had a skin cancer cut out and would require skin grafting to replace the skin taken away,” she said.
“We also see a small number of claims for medically necessary breast reduction as well as burns requiring a graft, among procedures that can be claimed.”
What tier of health insurance covers plastic surgery?
In 2019 the Government introduced reforms to private health insurance that require all gold and silver level hospital cover to include a minimum list of treatment categories, including medically necessary plastic surgery.
Ms Andrews said more than one million HCF members with Silver, Gold and Bronze Plus hospital cover are covered for medically necessary plastic surgery.
“We’ve extended this to also be included in our Hospital Bronze Plus cover, above the minimum requirements set by the Government.”
Could you find cheaper health cover?
Are Eyebrow transplants permanent?
Unfortunately no. But, Ms Tarek advised that the procedure usually lasts for two years before the results start to wane and the transplanted eyebrow hairs tend to fall out.
“However, results vary depending on the individual client and how suited they are to the treatment. Sometimes, the results can last for several years after the initial surgery,” she said.
How long is recovery from an eyebrow transplant?
Ms Tarek advised that clients can expect their recovery to take “roughly 4-6 weeks to see fully healed results” and to follow appropriate after-care “to obtain the best hair retention and transfer.”
“The brows will often look quite dramatic initially, skin can look quite dry and flaky, and often sometimes inflamed too,” she said.
“Eventually the skin of the area improves and gradually the brows will look more natural and softer once fully healed.”
What are the potential risks of an eyebrow transplant?
Ms Tarek said clients are made aware of the potential risks involved in the surgery, including
patchy brows as a result of some transplants not successfully taking to the skin.
Another risk are brow-hairs growing in opposing directions or being more coarse than usual.
Ms Tarek said rare complications following the procedure can include “inflamed hair follicles in the eyebrow known as folliculitis, infection in the brows, scarring, bruising or swelling.”
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Originally published as What is eyebrow transplant surgery and what does it cost?
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