Willow brows and almond eyes, arched brows and full cheeks, vivid brows and bright eyes... These descriptions of feminine beauty invariably feature eyebrows as an essential accent. Neat, attractive eyebrow shapes enhance one's delicate features, prompting many women to invest considerable effort in their upkeep. While most favor tweezers for plucking, this practice actually disrupts natural hair growth patterns and compromises aesthetic appeal.
"Eyebrows are naturally growing hair, and the skin in the brow and eyelid areas is extremely delicate. When women use tweezers to pluck eyebrows, the rapid, root-up motion can damage the skin and hair follicles," explained Liu Xiaoyan, Chief Physician of Dermatology at the Children's Hospital affiliated with the Capital Institute of Pediatrics, in an interview with reporters. Over time, this leads to irregular eyebrow growth,explaining why some individuals experience sparse or non-growing eyebrows. Uneven force during plucking can also cause pigmentation and scarring in the eyebrow and eyelid areas. If tweezers are unclean, bacteria may enter the wounds, leading to secondary folliculitis. In severe cases, this can progress to cellulitis or boils.
For beauty-conscious women, it's even more crucial to note that improper eyebrow plucking can enlarge pores, causing skin laxity around the eyelids and leading to ptosis.
If plucking is problematic, is shaving a better alternative? Liu Xiaoyan points out that both methods can damage skin and hair follicles, but with careful attention, harm can be minimized.Liu Xiaoyan recommends following the natural growth direction of the eyebrows for both plucking and shaving. She advises applying warm water beforehand to open pores, avoiding sharp-tipped tweezers or razors, and disinfecting tools with alcohol before and after use. When plucking, use gentle pressure while stabilizing the skin with one hand to prevent excessive stretching. Finally, apply moisturizer after grooming.