The eyebrow (from the Latin supercillium) is the hairy area above the eyes.

Position. The two eyebrows are located on the brow bone, between the forehead and the eye sockets.

Shape and structure. The eyebrow is an arched protrusion made up of thick skin and covered with hair. Symmetrical about the midline and separated by the space between the eyebrows, the eyebrows are made up of three parts.

– the middle head which is made up of vertical and fine hairs

– the central body which is made up of denser hairs moving outwards from the gaze

– the lateral tail which is made up of finer hairs

Innervation of muscles. The eyebrows are based on muscle fibers represented by 5 skin muscles: the occipitofrontal muscle, the depressor supercilii muscle, the procerus muscle, the corrugator muscle, and the orbicularis muscle. All of these muscles are innervated by the facial nerve.

Role of expression. The eyebrows have a role in communication. The muscles underlying the eyebrows make it possible to modulate the gaze and thus participate in the expression of feelings such as joy, fear, anger, sadness, astonishment and disgust. These expressions also involve all of the facial muscles.²

Protective role. The eyebrows have a protective role towards the eyes since they protect them from the sun, protect them from water runoff such as rain or sweat², and create a barrier to external aggressions such as sand or dust. This protection is achieved by a movement of the eyebrows, when they furrow.

Alopecia. Alopecia refers to a partial or total loss of hair or body hair. ³ Its origin may be linked to genetic factors, age, a disorder or disease, or even too repeated epilation. This results in two types of alopecia: non-scarring where hair regrowth is possible since there is no damage to the scalp; and scars where no regrowth is possible because the hair follicles are completely destroyed.

Pelade. Alopecia areata is a disease characterized by hair loss or patches. It can affect only certain parts of the body or the whole. Its cause is still poorly understood but some studies show an autoimmune origin.

Medical treatment. Depending on the origin of the hair loss, different treatments may be prescribed such as anti-inflammatory drugs (corticosteroids), hormonal treatments, or even vasodilator lotions.

Surgical treatment. Hair transplantation can be done to recreate or densify the eyebrows.

Dermatological examination. This examination is essential to define the type of hair loss.

Eyebrow aesthetics. In different cultures, eyebrows have an important place in aesthetics. Many processes are thus practiced for drawing or decorating the eyebrows, such as depilation, piercing or even tattooing of the eyebrows. In order to combat sagging eyebrows, cosmetic surgery methods have also been developed. (6)