Isobel Larkin Our exclusive with Dr Champagne, the man behind Chrissy Teigen and Meagan Good’s new brows.
From feathering to lamination, we were starting to think we’d seen it all when it came to eyebrow trends. But now, a new craze – known as ‘Champagne brows’ – has started taking off overseas.
The process involves transplanting hair to the brow area to achieve a stronger brow. Unlike eyebrow tattooing or stencilling with makeup, the new brows hairs look completely natural because, well, they’re each patient’s actual hairs.
Celebrities including Chrissy Teigen and Meagan Good have already jumped on board, and are now sporting fuller, fluffier eyebrows all thanks to the Champagne brow treatment.
Wondering why the procedure has been dubbed ‘Champagne brows’? It’s named after the board-certified facial plastic surgeon behind the look, Dr Jason Champagne.
Pictured: The man responsible for ‘Champagne brows,’ Dr Jason Champagne.
Image credit: Supplied.
SPA+CLINIC caught up for an exclusive interview with Dr Champagne to get the lowdown on how the look is achieved.
What does the Champagne Brow® technique involve?
Meticulous precision and artistry. I carefully shape a natural-looking brow and pay attention to the direction in which each hair grows. Through techniques known as Follicular Unit Transfer (FUT) and/or Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) which I utilise to move individual hairs from an area of greater density on your scalp (and in some cases, from your body) to your eyebrows, I am able to achieve a completely natural-looking fuller, more shapely brow.
I place the utmost importance on an individualised approach in order to achieve optimal results. Everyone’s facial structure and eyebrow shapes are unique. I personally design your eyebrows, along with your input, to achieve the look that you desire.
What is the downtime after the procedure? How long does it take to heal?
Downtime following Champagne Brows® hair transplantation is extremely minimal (on average 2-3 days) with minimal bruising and/or swelling if any. In many instances, patients can return to normal light activities and even work after a day or two.
Small scabs will be present around each hair graft within the eyebrows for up to 10 days following your procedure. Through the normal hair cycle, many of the implanted hairs fall initially during the first few weeks after your procedure and new hairs begin to grow permanently and are visible after 3 to 4 months following transplantation. Best results are seen at 6-8 months after the procedure.
How long do the results last? Are top-up treatments required down the line?
The results of the Champagne Brows® eyebrow hair transplant are permanent, and most patients do not require a touch-up treatment. Many treatments exist to attempt to simulate the appearance of a perfect brow including eyebrow tattooing and micro blading, however, the results tend to fade, never truly look natural and can cause scarring within the brow. Patients who have undergone tattooing or micro blading procedures who then opt for an eyebrow transplant may require a second touch-up procedure due to scar tissue from the tattooing process.
Both Chrissy Teigen and Meagan Good’s eyebrows look amazing. Could you please share how you created their looks?
I transplanted hair borrowed from the back of the scalp into the eyebrows. Each hair is placed one-by-one following the natural flow and angle of exit of their eyebrows creating a shape that balances their individual facial structures.
Image credit: Supplied.
What is the maintenance like for Champagne Brows®? Is there any special care involved?
Since transplanted eyebrows grow more quickly than natural brow hair, my patients maintain their eyebrow shape and length by trimming the hairs once or twice per week (or as needed). In addition, many patients will use a brow gel or wax to allow the hairs to flow together in a manicured look.
What sort of reception has the look received so far?
Patients are thrilled with the results. Eyebrows are one of the most important features that set the structure and balance of your face. The way you shape your brows can change your look, helping you maintain a youthful appearance and also lending freshness to your face. Eyebrow transplantation not only enables someone to achieve fullness in the eyebrow but also to obtain a customised look.
Who is a suitable candidate for the procedure?
- 20’ and Older women or men
- Naturally thin eyebrows
- Traumatic hair loss from over-tweezing/waxing or scars
- Hair loss not due to a medical condition
- Patients with soft, straight to loose curly hair are ideal candidates. Patients with coarse hair or hair that has a tight curl or coil are not ideal candidates since the hair will maintain that same quality when placed in the eyebrows lending to an unnatural appearance.
- Realistic goals and expectations
Image credit: Supplied.
Do you have any advice for other practitioners here in Australia who’d like to recreate the look for their patients?
Attention to detail and practice, practice, practice. Some patients’ eyebrow hairs grow away from their face and in all directions – making the results look unnatural. This problem occurs when there is a lack of attention to detail and a lack of knowledge of hair growth. I’m able to avoid this happening because I truly understand natural hair growth and direction and take care to place each and every hair in the proper direction and angle to achieve unsurpassed results.
Do you have any plans to train other practitioners in the technique or create a guide? If not, would this be something you may consider in the future?
I do not have any current plans to teach my technique to others but may consider it in the future.
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