Trichotillomania: When Anxiety Shows Up in the Mirror

Can you imagine pulling out your own eyebrow hairs and eyelashes because you feel an overwhelming urge that you can’t stop?

Most people have never heard of trichotillomania, yet it affects millions of people. It’s estimated that 1–2% of the population in the U.S. lives with this condition, often quietly, often with shame, and often misunderstood. Trichotillomania is a body-focused repetitive behavior, commonly linked to anxiety or emotional regulation, and it frequently impacts the eyebrows, lashes, or scalp.

For many, the physical hair loss is only one part of the story. The deeper impact is emotional, how it changes the way someone sees themselves, how they move through the world, and how much mental energy is spent trying to hide or manage it.

When Vogue Brought Attention to “Anxiety Eyebrows”

Post-COVID, Vogue published a powerful article about trichotillomania and anxiety-related eyebrow loss, sharing one woman’s deeply personal experience of living without brows and the emotional weight that came with it. The editors reached out to me for insight into eyebrow restoration and how thoughtful microblading can support people navigating this condition.

After my clients receive the eyebrow transformation, there is a huge relief that washes over them. Relief from constantly checking mirrors. Relief from feeling exposed. Relief from having her anxiety reflected back at them every time they looked at their face.

Trichotillomania Is Not About Vanity

I want to be very clear: trichotillomania is not a cosmetic issue. It is not about wanting “perfect brows.” It is a psychological and emotional experience that deserves compassion, not judgment.

Many of the people who come to me have lived with trich for years. Some have tried everything. Some are still actively working through it. Others are in recovery. What they share is a desire to feel at peace when they look in the mirror — not reminded of a struggle they are already carrying inside.

A New Era of Beauty Restoration

My work is rooted in a new era of beauty restoration — one that goes far beyond trends or surface-level change. With a light touch and deep intentions, my approach is conservative, respectful, and deeply personalized.

When working with clients affected by trichotillomania, microblading is never rushed. I begin with a conversation. Listening. Understanding their history, their triggers, their hopes. The goal is not to “cover something up,” but to gently restore balance and identity in a way that feels safe and authentic.

Using delicate, hair-like strokes, I recreate the illusion of natural brows — even when there is little to no hair present. When done properly, this work is soft, elegant, and almost invisible. It should never shout. It should simply belong.

How Restoration Can Support Healing

Microblading does not cure trichotillomania — and it is never positioned as a replacement for therapy or mental-health support. But what it can do is help remove one layer of daily stress.

For many clients, restored brows mean:

• Less anxiety about their appearance

• Less time spent camouflaging or avoiding mirrors

• More emotional space to focus on healing

As the Vogue article highlighted, when brows no longer feel like a constant concern, people often experience a quiet but powerful sense of relief.

You Are Not Alone

Trichotillomania is more common than most people realize — and far more human than it’s often portrayed. Talking about it openly matters. Approaching it with care matters even more.

In my atelier, every client is met with empathy, patience, and respect. Restoration is never about perfection. It’s about helping you feel like yourself again.

If you’re living with trichotillomania and considering eyebrow restoration, know this: there is no rush, no pressure, and no one-size-fits-all solution. There is only your story — and the possibility of supporting it with care.

Reach out if you have any questions about your unique situation.

Learn about Eyebrow Restoration