Just when you thought you’d heard everything, a procedure called eyelash transplant surgery pops up. Sound weird or too good to be true? Well, this cosmetic procedure is real and it’s gaining a very large following. Eyelash transplant surgery has many happy customers and depending on your needs, this method could be the perfect fit.

Eyelash transplantation was originally developed as a way to restore natural looking lashes to individuals who have suffered hair loss in this area due to burns, accidents, diseases, genetic defects and various cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation. As word spread about this procedure, its popularity grew and it’s been estimated that as much as 80% of eyelash transplantations are now sought after for cosmetic reasons.

Eyelash transplant surgery is a very meticulous process, which involves taking micro-grafts of individual hairs from the back of the scalp - usually between 30 to 40 hair follicles - and implanting or sewing them into the eyelid. In order to create the very fine follicles, any excess dermis, fat or epidermis is trimmed away from each micro-graft. Local anesthesia is applied to the eyelid, and an eye shield is placed over the eye to protect it during the procedure. After each hair is transplanted, the surgery is complete, allowing the new, healthy and permanent hair follicles to thrive and grow, creating natural, lush lashes.

Because of the detail and time it takes to transplant each eyelash, eyelash transplant surgery can take anywhere between one to three hours and is often performed in the surgeon’s office or in an outpatient setting. A typical eyelash transplantation results in between 20-40 new hair follicles on each eyelid. Because the new follicles are from the scalp and not the eyelid, these hairs grow longer, faster and require routine trimming or curling. While this part may be a minor nuisance, the good news is that the new lashes continue to grow permanently.

The recovery period for eyelash transplant surgery can last about a week. Mild discomfort of the eye area as well as the scalp where the follicles were removed is normal and medication to treat the pain is typically prescribed. Patients who receive eyelash transplantation must follow the strict guidelines given by the doctor, which includes the proper post-op care, such as how to clean the eyelid and new lashes without causing damage or harm to the area. Bruising and swelling around the eye area is common and usually settles down after a few days. The stitches that bind the new lashes to the eyelid take about a month to dissolve and it is recommended that women avoid or minimize their use of eye makeup such as mascara, eye shadow and eyeliner for a week or until the area has been allowed to completely heal. In certain cases, more than one eyelash transplantation session may be needed.

Eyelash transplant surgery is not cheap. The general figure is estimated at $3,000 per eye, so if you’re seeking this method for cosmetic reasons, you may want to check with your insurance company to see if they’ll cover any of the costs. If you are seriously considering getting eyelash transplantation done, do your research. Make sure the surgeon you choose is licensed and certified to perform this particular surgery. Always ask for before and after photos, as well as references from past patients.

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