Eyebrow and Eyelash Alopecia: A Clinical Review

Abstract

Madarosis is characterized by either complete or partial loss of eyebrow or eyelash hair. Etiologies for madarosis are varied, and accurate diagnosis is the first step in clinical management. Many studies have described findings related to specific causes of madarosis, but few have summarized the collective literature. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated overview on the symptomatology, diagnosis, trichoscopy findings, and treatment of eyebrow and eyelash alopecia.

Fig. 1

Patient with alopecia areata presenting with patchy eyebrow loss and patchy eyelash loss of the upper and lower eyelids

Fig. 2

a, b Patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia presenting with bilateral eyebrow loss on the lateral eyebrow. c Trichoscopy findings of eyebrow frontal fibrosing alopecia include hair growing in different directions and yellow dots (arrow)

Fig. 3

Patient with trichotillomania presenting with irregular, patchy alopecia of the eyebrow, with hair shafts of varying lengths, prominently visible hair follicles, and eyelash alopecia limited to eyelashes of the upper lid