Forget fine lines and wrinkles – it turns out your eyebrows might be giving away your age more than anything else.
According to brow specialist Fides Baldesberger, at a time when thick, well-defined eyebrows are considered the ideal, sparse, flat brows can make you look older faster.
Ms Baldesberger, who runs Rubis Tweezers, warned that the problem gets worse as we age due to hormonal changes, particularly during menopause.
"The hair growth cycle slows, meaning it's harder for new hairs to regenerate," she explained.
"And unfortunately, nothing ages the face faster than flat or thinning brows.”
Speaking to those who have plucked their eyebrows into submission, the expert stressed that improper tweezing "can make the problem worse, leaving brows looking sparse, uneven or droopy".
These follicles struggle to recover, leaving you with patchy, droopy brows that instantly age your face.
To avoid this "telltale" sign of ageing, Ms Baldesberger suggested tackling the problem with both treatments and clever grooming tricks.
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The expert warned that 'nothing ages the face faster than flat, thinning brows' – so tweeze carefully
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For long-term results, the expert recommended investing in a targeted brow serum that will help "nourish and strengthen" hair follicles and encourage "regrowth and fullness" over time.
However, she noted that you'll need patience and dedication to see results.
For quick results, it's all about where you pluck. Ms Baldesberger identified two major mistakes: over-plucking and shortening the tail of the eyebrow.
She advised: "Tweeze only the stray hairs beneath the arch to create lift and remove any that sit too close to the bridge of the nose.
Brow pencils and volumising gels offer 'immediate' results
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"This opens up the eyes and makes the whole face look fresher instantly."
She also warned against removing too much from the tail end of your brows, as this shortening is "prematurely ageing".
According to a second expert, there's more to thinning brows than just age and overdoing it with the tweezers.
Trichologist Eva Proudman from Absolute Collagen added that your food choices can directly impact your eyebrow growth.
In light of this, she advised women to ensure they are getting enough vitamin D, selenium, and zinc.
Water's Edge Dermatology identify additional causes, citing thyroid problems, pregnancy, and certain medications as reasons for thinning.
The trichologist shared her top tips for transforming your brows from lacklustre to luscious.
As well as modifying your diet and stopping the tweezer attacks, consider investing in serums containing keratin, peptides, and soy protein.
These can "effectively promote hair growth", Ms Proudman confirmed, though she recommended checking with your GP first.
Need a quick solution? Brow pencils and volumising gels offer "immediate" results while you're waiting for the real thing.