Would an Eyebrow Comb Cause Eyebrow Loss?

Hello Dr,
I was wondering if stroking your eyebrow with an eyebrow comb can cause hair loss in the brow to the point where it gets incredibly sparse? In an attempt to shape my brows in the morning I comb them say maybe ten times or so to get them just right and then sometimes more so throughout the day. Well certain days I see anywhere from two to four hairs that look weak and then fall out. I used to brush them quite often as a teen and this would never happen but as of late (I am in my twenties) they fall out when I do this and I was wondering if you think this is the cause or could it be something else? I did have thyroid levels checked and they were fine. Thank you for your time.

I wouldn’t think that gently combing your eyebrows in it of itself will cause hair loss. Traction alopecia can possibly occur from the process you are describing if you’re pulling on the eyebrows… and the hairs you see falling out may indicate that what you are doing is too much. I really couldn’t pinpoint the cause for you, unfortunately. As some men and women age, they lose the outer edge of their eyebrows due to unknown reasons.