Chrissy Teigen Got an Eyebrow Transplant – Here's What to Know About the Cosmetic Procedure

Chrissy Teigen underwent eyebrow transplant surgery in November 2021 to create a fuller, fluffier look — and, of course, she shared the "crazy" results with her social media followers. However, what exactly does the transformative cosmetic beauty treatment entail? We asked the pros to find out.

Teigen, who said she tries to "never wear makeup" if she can "avoid it," visited Dr. Jason Diamond and Dr. Jason Champagne for the transplant procedure, where hairs were plucked from the back of her head and placed strategically along the shape of her brows.

Board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Paul Nassif said most candidates who come in for an eyebrow transplant typically want full, natural brows. It can be anyone from a person who plucked too many stray hairs, someone with naturally thin arches or a person with no brow hair at all, he told PEOPLE.

How is the transplant done?

The transplant uses the patient's own hair to shape the eyebrows. New York City-based facial plastic surgeon Dr. Yael Halaas said hairs are pulled from the back of the head because it's the area that "best mimics eyebrow hairs."

"The procedure involves taking a hair follicle from the back of the scalp and transplanting the hair gently — with the right angle and the right curve — into the eyebrow," Dr. Nassif added. "It's important your doctor uses a light hand when you do this and with the right angle. Otherwise, the brows can come out looking too bushy and unnatural."

To implant the new hairs along the brow bone, the practitioner uses the NeoGraft technique — a method that ultimately requires no stitches because hair follicles are transplanted individually.

"With the NeoGraft technique, your doctor will pull out the hair units one by one from the back of the head, and then they will make a small slit in the brows and then manually, with forceps, they will place the follicular hair unit into the slit they made," Dr. Nassif explained.

How long will it take to see results?

Results are permanent, but it could take 6 to 9 months to see the full effect. While the entire eyebrow transplant can be completed in one visit, it takes time to see the full results, noted Dr. Nassif and Dr. Halaas.

"The hair follicle that is being transplanted into the eyebrow has a hair on it, but that hair will fall out, and then a new one will grow in," explained Dr. Nassif. "Results can be seen anywhere between six to nine months for full growth, and the results are permanent."

Just a month after her procedure, Teigen posted a video on Instagram to show off her fuller eyebrows with a caption reading, "welcome, new brow hairs!!!!"

In January 2022, she shared another video in which she zoomed in on her face and said, "Look. At. These. Eyebrows." The caption read: "like weeks I tell ya!!!!" suggesting that the transplanted hairs were growing in fast.

How much does an eyebrow transplant cost?

The procedure, which can cost between $4,000 to $7,000 depending on your provider, won't be painful either. 

"We use local anesthesia, and the patients are awake often listening to music or television the whole time," Dr. Halaas said.

How to take care of brows after transplant

Post-procedure care is important. As for aftercare, Dr. Nassif suggested that patients may put some Aquaphor on after and to avoid submerging the area in water.

"The patient may experience swelling or bruising following the treatment," Dr. Nassif said. "And it is imperative that the patient keeps their brows dry for at least five days after treatment as you want the brows to properly set. Then, once the five days are up, I recommend gently washing the brows using a mild soap and by patting the brows with soap and water, not rubbing them."

Are there other alternatives?

There is a less permanent, more cost-efficient option for full eyebrows. While a permanent eyebrow transplant is a pricey investment, Dr. Nassif suggested microblading as an alternative, more affordable option.

"Microblading is a technique that involves tattooing brow hairs onto the face to give the illusion of fuller brows. It's a semi-permanent solution that requires touch-ups over time. If solely cosmetic, meaning you have adequate brow hairs, microblading may be enough," Dr. Nassif said. "I think it is more approachable and mainstream."

However, if your brow definition is seriously lacking, it may be worth looking into a transplant. 

Dr. Nassif noted: "If you are without brow hair either from overplucking or even a medical condition, implants are probably best."

How to maintain eyebrows post-transplant

"The transplanted scalp hairs will continue to grow, unlike natural eyebrow hairs that have a natural 'turn-off' switch. So the new eyebrow hairs will need to be trimmed and groomed with more frequency," Dr. Halaas told PEOPLE.

Teigen has been open about this aspect of post-procedure upkeep, sharing eyebrow maintenance posts on her Instagram.

In May 2023, she posted a story in which celebrity eyebrow artist Lily Maldonado groomed and clipped the hairs on her eyebrow.

Months later, in September, Teigen shared a clip of someone trimming her full brows with silver scissors.

"Time for my haircut," Teigen said as she laughed in the video.