Are eyebrow injections safe? What to know about the beauty trend

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If your life's quest is to obtain big, bushy brows à la Cara Delevingne, well, get in line. No doubt, there are infinite ways to supposedly obtain bold arches, from pencils to pomades to powders to gels and tints. But, apparently, for those looking for a more permanent solution, eyebrow fillers now exist. Well, kind of.

While technically not touted as an eyebrow growth treatment, per se, a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection is a procedure in which blood is drawn from the body, spun, and then the platelets are extracted and injected as needed, explains Debra Jaliman, a New York City-based dermatologist. PRP injections are also used on the scalp, but they've also been used in facials, personalized skin creams, and on joints to promote healing. (If you're interested in learning more, we once sent a reporter to try out the PRP retrieval process.) The treatment is said to stimulate collagen production and hair growth, allowing hair follicles to become longer and darker, a.k.a. the thicker, brushier brows we so often see on the runway.

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However, Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor, department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, warns that while the there's scientific evidence that the procedure has been successful in sprouting hair growth for the scalp, it's fairly uncommon for the brows. "In fact, I'm a little skeptical about it myself and like to use Latisse instead, which has been scientifically proven to grow brows without the injection concerns of the PRP," she says.

If, after you consult your medical professional and you both agree PRP is the path to those coveted brushed-up brows, it's important to keep in mind that while procedure works for some, not everyone enjoys the same results. And because the treatment is moderately invasive, there is some downtime following the procedure. While both Jaliman and Tanzi haven't had clients request PRP for brows, they warn against physical activity following your appointment for at least 24 hours, as the area will most likely be swollen and bruised in appearance.

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Bottom line? If you're looking to replicate Delevingne's arches, you might want to think of PRP a last resort — if at all. Thanks to semi-permanent procedures, like microblading, you can get your bold brow game on without the added pain and potential bruising.