Bald spots in the eyebrows: what to know

Possible explanations include alopecia areata, repeated plucking or rubbing, irritation from cosmetics, inflammatory skin disease and infection. A clinician can distinguish these by checking whether the skin is smooth, scaly, red or scarred and whether hairs are broken or absent.

Alopecia areata commonly presents as a sharply defined, smooth patch without obvious scaling. Flaking, crusting, itch or broken hairs can point toward a skin disorder or fungal infection instead. Loss at the outer eyebrow can also occur alongside broader medical or skin problems, so changes elsewhere on the body matter.

Eyebrow pencils, adhesives, dyes and skin treatments may trigger irritation around the follicles. Repeated threading, waxing or pulling can damage hairs, while shiny skin or loss of visible follicle openings needs assessment for a scarring process.

Pause plucking, waxing, tinting and newly introduced products. Wash gently, avoid scratching and do not share eyebrow tools. Take a clear photograph in consistent lighting so you can see whether the border is expanding or fine regrowth is appearing.

Arrange a routine medical visit if the patch persists, enlarges or has no clear link to grooming. Bring a list of face products and medicines, and mention scalp hair loss, eyelash loss, nail changes, thyroid symptoms or a habit of pulling hairs. Treatment depends on the cause; applying steroid or antifungal medicine without a diagnosis may mask useful signs.

Seek prompt assessment for a painful, hot or rapidly swollen area; pus; spreading redness; fever; or swelling near the eye. Book a dermatology review if the skin looks scarred, several new patches appear, eyelashes are falling out or the change is causing significant distress.

Ask whether the follicle openings are still visible, whether examination suggests inflammation or infection, and whether scalp, nail or blood tests would clarify the cause. You can also ask which grooming products to avoid and what signs of regrowth to monitor.