Ask Dr. Lam

Hey Doc, I am a 36 year old male and have had Alopecia Areata for about 9 or 10 years now. It has "settled" into the eyebrow area. I have some hair over both eyes but not much. I receive steriod injections about once a month and the hair does respond, sometimes very well other times not so well. I had some spots on my head but no longer have them. I think because the hair on your grows much faster than the hair over your eyes. (I no longer require injections in the scalp area.) I am considering an eyebrow transplant but would like to know your thoughts. I mentioned this to my Dermotologist, his thought was that I would have a 50/50 shot as to whether or not the A.A. would "attack" the transplanted hair. Thank you.

i think that it is best to make sure that the AA is as burned out as possible. i always would go with a derm's opinion since i am not a derm. i would say it is hard to predict whether the AA will come back to attack the area. if a derm green lights my doing it, then i would consider it for you. i know that is not a very straightforward answer but the problem is that i truly rely on my derm colleagues to let me know when or if i can do the surgical work.
best,
sml