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How to Thicken Thin, Sparse Eyebrows: 5 Affordable Strategies for Fuller Brows

Surprisingly, even using dandruff shampoo on brows can help

Just like the hair on our head, eyebrows can become thinner and prone to sparse spots. And if you’re like us, maybe you also over plucked your brows in your youth, adding to thinner-looking arches. The good news is that it’s easy to thicken brows (and the same goes for our tresses too!). Here, experts share their tips and tricks for how to thicken eyebrows from whether you want to learn how to grow thicker eyebrows or are looking for a quick fix and home remedies. Keep reading to learn the ways to achieve thicker, fuller brows.

What causes eyebrows to become thinner

There are a number of causes of eyebrows looking thin and sparse. Aging is a big factor. Hormonal changes can trigger hair loss and it’s not just limited to the head as brow hairs can also shed. This can also cause brow hairs to change in terms of thickness, texture and color — yes, graying along the brows is also very common.

Additionally, as mentioned above, if you constantly plucked your eyebrows in the past, this could be why your brows appear thin. Over plucking brow hairs causes damage and trauma to hair follicles, which causes them to slow or stop producing new hairs.

Other factors that are similar to hair loss in general, and can also affect brow hair health, are stress levels, medical conditions and additional lifestyle things like a poor diet or nutrition.

5 ways how to thicken eyebrows

1. How to thicken eyebrows: Rub on castor oil

The oil is rich in ricinoleic acid (which increases the flow of hair-nourishing blood to boost growth), omega-6 fatty acids (which strengthen strands) and vitamin E (which moisturizes hair follicles for fuller-looking hairs). 

To do: Dip a cotton swab in castor oil, like Aura Cacia Organic Skin Care Castor Oil, and apply to clean brows before bed. Massage the oil in for 1 minute per brow (this boosts blood flow to further stimulate growth); rinse off in the morning. Use nightly for results in 30 days. 

2. How to thicken eyebrows: Bush on a serum

Woman applying brow serum
CentralITAlliance/Getty

A protein-infused brow serum strengthens eyebrow hairs and encourages new growth — and they really work, says celebrity brow expert Tonya Crooks, who’s groomed the arches of Julia Roberts and Halle Berry. The key is to use one that is also enriched with amino acids (they boost the hair’s ability to retain moisture, adding volume) and vitamin B-5 (a humectant, soothing agent and moisturizer that fortifies brow hairs to prevent shedding). One we like: Ardell Lash & Brow Excel Growth Accelerator.

To do: Brush the serum onto clean, dry brows once a day before going to bed. Repeat nightly to see fuller brows within one month. 

3. How to thicken eyebrows: Wash brows with dandruff shampoo

One surprising reason for thinning brows: dandruff! Overactive oil glands can lead to yeast buildup, which weakens follicles and causes fall-out, says dermatologist Francesca Fusco, MD. Her fix? Use a zinc pyrithione shampoo, like Dove Dryness & Itch Relief Damage Therapy Anti-Dandruff Shampoo. The antifungal agent kills yeast, while the shampoo’s oils nourish skin, creating a healthy environment for new brow hairs to grow in.

To do: Mix ½ tsp. of dandruff shampoo with 1 drop of water. Swipe onto brows with a cotton swab, let sit for 1 minute; rinse. Use twice a week for voluminous brows in 30 days. 

4. How to thicken eyebrows: Plump brow hairs in with soap

A bar of soap which can be used for how to thicken eyebrows
Paul Linse/Getty

If you’re like us, you reach for an eyebrow pencil to fill in bald spots, but that often leads to brows that appear one-dimensional and contrived. The natural-looking fix: Before applying pencil, rub a clean, damp spoolie against a bar of soap, then sweep the lather over brows in the direction of hair growth. Let dry, then lightly fill in with a brow pencil. The glycerin, a plant-based oil found in most soap bars, bulks up individual hairs and “fills in” bare areas so less pencil is needed! 

5. How to thicken eyebrows: Use a stencil instead of a pencil

If you’re like us, a shaky hand can make penciling in brows tricky! But a stencil kit, like Trio Beauty Brow Trio Stencil Kit, can do the work for you! Simply hold the stencil over one brow and stamp on the tinted pomade. It “reshapes” and fills in brows, no steady hand needed. The result? Thicker brows instantly!

 

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