How to Get Eyelash Implants

Eyelash implant surgery was originally developed for people whose eyelashes were affected by burns, congenital issues or chemotherapy. However, it's gaining greater acceptance for cosmetic reasons--filling out thin eyelashes and adding length to short lashes for people of all ages. Here's how to get eyelashes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Understand the process of eyelash implant surgery, which is done under local anesthetic. Hair, including the follicle, is removed from the back of the scalp and then transplanted into the eyelash. Generally, about 30 hair follicles are implanted into each upper lash. The whole process takes 1 to 2 hours and is done as out-patient surgery.
2. Know what results you can expect from the surgery. The results aren't instant, and it can take months before your eyelashes grow in. Eventually, though, you will have thicker eyelashes.
3. Determine why you want to get eyelash implants, and consider other options before committing to surgery. Surgery is an expensive option, so make sure that the eyelash implants will improve your sense of well-being.
4. Locate a doctor specializing in hair restoration surgery who can perform the eyelash implant. Very few doctors perform this specialized surgery, so it can be challenging to locate a doctor. Check with local chemotherapy and burn clinics for potential recommendations. About Faces in Tucson, Arizona, is one of the few cosmetic surgery clinics that offer the procedure (see Resources below).
5. Allow yourself at least a week to recover. During this time, follow your doctor's recommendations to ensure a successful surgery. Expect lashes to grow in anywhere from 3 to 6 months.
6. Maintain your lashes with regular trimming because your hair continues to grow just as it does on your head. If you have especially straight hair, you may need to curl your eyelashes with an eyelash curler for a natural look. If you have curly hair, your eyelash hair may need straightening.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're getting eyelash implant surgery because of a medical condition, your insurance may cover it.
• A few weeks after the surgery, the newly implanted hairs are likely to shed. This is a natural process, and the hairs will grow back, just as they do on your scalp.