by Lakish Campbell

Created on: March 24, 2008   Last Updated: March 26, 2008

*What is eyelash transplantation (ET)?

ET is the aesthetic brainchild of Robert Flowers, a doctor who first introduced his eyelash enhancing technique to his colleagues at an American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) meeting in 1980. Consequently, it is "a breakthrough, microsurgical procedure that allows patients to have healthy new lashes that will last forever." (psp-interative.com/issues/articles/2007-03_02.asp)

* Who are possible candidates?

At first, ET was performed on candidates who had madarosis or eyelash loss. This ailment is also known as permanent milphosis. Some of these individuals had eyelashes that didn't develop properly. Their condition is called alopecia adnata. ET was their answer to normal and functioning eyelashes.

However, the use of ET branched out into the lush world of aesthetics, in the lives of the Vogue and Cosmopolitan generation. In the crusade between beauty and reconstruction, the "aesthetic wave" has won by a mudslide; ET purposes have become more cosmetic in nature within the last two years.

*The procedure

Conducted in an outpatient setting, the patient is given localized anesthesia. The surgeon implants between 20 to 40 individual lashes to each eyelid, therefore adding enough pizzazz to eyelashes in "lash density, length, and volume" (psp-interactive.com).

However, each lid can have up to 100 eyelashes added in 2 to 3 hours. Moreover, the patient will be expected to have their new eyelashes "trimmed and curled every 4 to 6 weeks for the rest of their life," since the new lashes, taken from the scalp, will continue to sprout to lovely lengths. In addition, they might need to be dyed to match the patient's hair color or eyebrows.

*Popularity

ET has proven to be a more effective and attractive choice than mascara and eyelash extensions. It is also an innovative solution for patients with brittle or nonexistent lashes.

*Real life

At eyelash-transplant.com, there is a link to a segment on the TODAY show. This segment featured Dr. Alan Bauman of Bauman Medical Group, P.A., Ellie Malmin, famed "Eyelash Stylist" and Veronica Garner, a breast cancer survivor.

Veronica Garner is in her middle 30s, married with three children. Granted she knew once she started chemotherapy, she would lose her hair but she never expected to lose her eyebrows and eyelashes.

Even after three years, her eyelashes haven't grown back, even after her hair and eyebrows did. She missed her long, full eyelashes.

"I just feel like I look washed out. I feel like, you know, they just don't stand out, you know, like they used to," Veronica said.

After hearing about Mr. Bauman, Veronica scheduled an appointment with him to get eyelash transplants. Today, Veronica eyelashes are longer and fuller than ever.

*In conclusion

Eyelashes play a prominent role in terms of facial features they provide a normal appearance. Without them, the person may feel "naked" or "out-of-place." For such a delicate and small feature, eyelashes are a big business but importantly a big deal, in terms of function and beauty.

If you make the decision to have eyelash transplantations, research the procedure and surgeons who perform the surgery. Studying their success rate in procedures will save you from a horrific experience.

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