Eyelash Transplantation
Eyelashes are an important anatomical structure that protects the eye chemically and physically against foreign bodies and ensures the closure of the eyelids with its reflex.
The terminal eyelashes grow with a distinct angulation at the corners of the eyes. The length of eyelashes is shorter than hair. This is due to the fact that the anagen phase is shorter in eyelashes than in hair. There are 4-5 rows of eyelashes on the upper eyelid and 2-3 rows on the lower eyelid. On average, there are 300-400 eyelashes on the upper eyelid and 100-150 on the lower eyelid.
Loss of eyelashes or complete shedding is often seen. Eyelash loss can occur in skin diseases such as alopecia and trichotillomania, endocrine diseases, metabolic anomalies, system diseases, due to trauma, side effects of medications, and aging.
In eyelash loss and shedding, drugs containing "Bimatoprost" should first be used by applying to the eyelashes for 16 weeks. This active substance is used in eye diseases, eye pressure-glaucoma. In 2009, the FDA approved its use for this purpose. The response of the upper eyelashes in particular is often quite good. In cases where the response is insufficient with this medication, eyelash transplantation should be considered.
Technological developments in hair transplantation and very high aesthetic results have made eyelashes the target area for transplantation.
Although many methods have been used in eyelash transplantation from past to present, in recent years, hair or body hair taken from hair or body with FUE has been used.
Due to the physical structure of the eyelashes, nape hair is often used on the scalp. Although the physical structure of the nape hair is thin, its growth rate is faster than that of eyelashes. For this reason, leg hairs have become more preferred due to their slow growth rate and thinness.
Eyelash transplants may be preferred in the following cases.
- • Those with congenitally thin and sparse eyelash structure
- • In congenital genetic diseases such as ectodermal dysplasia
- • After alopecia
- • Due to trichotillomania
- • Due to lupus erythematosus
- • Trauma, after eyelid surgeries
- • Permanent eyelash loss after radiotherapy and chemotherapy
How is eyelash transplantation performed?
Anesthetic and antibiotic moisturizers are instilled into the eye before eyelash transplantation. Local anesthesia is applied to the eyelids.
For 1-2 FUE grafts taken from the scalp or body, places for eyelashes are prepared on the front part of the eyelids, which we call tars.
In eyelash transplantation, 10 cm long roots containing a single hair are taken. Then, these are placed under the skin in the eyelash area 6-9 mm above the eyelid with a special needle called “French needle", and then cut into 2 cm lengths.
After the transplantation, the patient is asked to wash their eyes with distilled water twice a day for 10 days and then use an eye pomade with antibiotic and moisturizing properties.
For the first 2-4 months after transplantation, there is no need to cut the transplanted FUEs. However, at the end of this period, FUEs taken from the legs should be shortened at 4-6 week intervals and FUEs taken from the neck should be shortened every 2-3 weeks due to premature growth.
After eyelash transplantation, a slight blackish-purplish line similar to kohl may appear on the patient's eyelids. This does not affect the patient's daily life in any way.
After 1 or 2 days after the operation, small crusts may form at the roots of the transplanted eyelashes. These can only be noticed when you look carefully. For this reason, there is no situation that negatively affects the patient.
The shock loss that occurs in hair transplantation also occurs in eyelashes.The shedding that occurs approximately 1 month after the eyelash transplant operation lasts for 3 or 4 months at most.
It takes between 4 and 6 months for the transplanted eyelashes to adhere to the area where they are transplanted and look like your natural eyelashes, depending on the person.
