Shea butter, the trick to growing eyebrows?

Eyebrows serve the purpose of protecting our eyes from dust, sweat, or even rain. It's worth noting that, unlike eyelashes, our eyebrows can have up to 1,000 hairs. They have a life cycle of about 4 months, consisting of three phases: growth, stagnation (catagen phase), and shedding (telogen phase). The growth phase varies from 1 to 2 months: therefore, it is necessary to exercise patience to see the initial results of eyebrow growth.

For an eyebrow to grow properly, it is essential to have a healthy hair follicle. This requires adequate hydration, nutrition, and blood circulation. It is also important to protect your eyebrows from free radicals that can accelerate hair loss.

Although shea butter is known for its skin benefits, there are no studies that certify it stimulates eyebrow growth. However, it does hydrate, nourish the epidermis and protect against oxidative stress at the hair follicle level, which prevents their fall. To enjoy its benefits, massage a small amount of pure, unrefined shea butter between your hands and apply it across your eyebrows. Leave it on overnight and remove any excess the following morning if necessary.

The shea butter also possesses other beneficial properties for the skin, divided into two distinct parts: a saponifiable fraction and an unsaponifiable fraction.

• The saponifiable fraction essentially represents the composition of shea butter. It primarily contains fatty acids. Stearic acid is recognised for its emollient, nourishing and protective properties. Oleic acid is a lipid that stimulates sebum production by the sebaceous glands and helps combat skin dryness. Thus, the saponifiable fraction acts as a "re-greasing" agent, helping to nourish the epidermis and maintain hydration, which is essential for a healthy hair follicle.

• The term 'unsaponifiables' refers to the bioactive agents that are the source of the beneficial properties of shea butter. These notably include antioxidants that absorb UV rays such as cinnamic acids and karitene. Vitamin A is essential for the proper development and maintenance of the hair follicle. It helps to protect the hair by stimulating the sebaceous glands and the production of sebum. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that neutralises free radicals caused by oxidative stress. It stimulates oxygenation and blood circulation at the level of the hair follicles and it helps to combat the premature loss of hair.