eyebrow loss, is it alopecia or habit?

[applepie_]

My sister has dealt with alopecia for more than 10 years, but last year it started hitting her eyebrows. When they thinned, she developed a nervous habit of playing/pulling them, and eventually, they were completely gone.

She's a singer, so this hits her hard. she's worried that she won't look the same

Now she's wondering, did the pulling cause them to go, or was it the alopecia? Is there any chance they'll grow back since it seemed to happen in one phase of pulling?

She's using semi permanent makeup for now and starting Ritlecitinib soon, hoping for results. Any advice or experiences would be hugely appreciated!

 

[pauly65]

Could a mix of both, the alopecia caused the thinning and the pulling made it worse. If she hasn't been pulling for long, there's still a chance they could grow back, especially with Ritlecitinib. Regrowth is hit or miss with alopecia, but stopping the pulling and giving the treatment time gives her the best shot.

 

[bluebirds1965]

Ritlecitinib has shown good results for eyebrow regrowth in alopecia areata, especially when started early. Has she talked to a dermatologist about combining treatment with support for the pulling habit? That might help protect any regrowth that comes.

 

[Eleanor_]

Has anyone else wondered if the stress from hair loss and the pulling that follows might actually accelerate the condition? At what point do we treat the emotional side just as seriously as the medical symptoms?