First off- I sent this as a message- oops- just figuring this out. Here's my post from last night.

I am 42 and lost my brows first around 32yrs old. Was originally "diagnosed" as alopecia areata as a guess by the derm who didn't do a lot of digging. They tried steroid injections on the sight but it didn't help. Got tattooing that I didn't love but it faded over about 2 years and I just drew in my brows. It's been embarrassingly painful for me to deal with. Finally bit the bullet and decided to get brow restoration. Flew to NY where the surgeon told me that he thinks I probably have FFA. His prognosis was pretty grim for the brows staying in. I just had it done and really won't know for 3-4 months if they'll grow or not. But now I need to find out even more about FFA and my thinning hair. Must find the right dermatologist in MN and get a definitive diagnosis. I just find the FFA thing very confusing as it hit me so young. I'm still not even Peri-menopausal. I had my daughter at 39 with no fertility intervention and still have regular cycles. But, losing the brows and now the pattern of my hair thinning are very indicative of FFA.

Curious if anyone else on this has had or heard of successful brow restoration?

Also- ever so grateful to find this forum. My friends try to be empathic, but I know they have no idea how debilitating this has been. Used to love swimming, have lost all confidence dating (some douche bag I met online actually asked me what happened to my brows and why I drew them on- last time I dated. literally.)

Really curious what others know about this. am hopeful since it's been so long since my brows fell out that maybe there's a chance the transplanted hairs will grow.

How do you find the right dermatologists? What should I ask? Where should I look. Hoping that the U of MN has some resources.

Thanks so much. I am finding so much out reading posts, but just so curious for more information.