Q. Regarding question 3384 above. Recently the Rov mentioned in a shiur the prohibition for men to trim his eyebrows as women do. What happens if a man is taking a haircut, and without him noticing the barber begins to trim his eyebrows, can he let him continue since he has already started and is doing it out of his own will and was not asked to do so? Is that similar to the policeman writing the answers in the question above?
A. Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that it is not similar at all, since the policeman is writing for his own need and benefit. The barber however, although he was not asked to do so, he is still doing it for his client’s benefit and therefore he should protest.
It is important to mention that on question 563 regarding if a man can trim his eyebrows if they are unruly and get into his eyes or if his wife asks him to do so, we wrote: “Shulchan Aruch (Y.D. 182: 1) rules on the prohibition to remove bodily hair growth. However Mordechai (Shabbos 50: 327) permits in cases of great discomfort or pain. Avnei Yoshfe (Y.D. 91) accordingly permits trimming eyebrows, adding that women pluck those hairs and do not usually trim them.
Nishmas Avrohom (Y.D. 182 p. 140) quoting Horav S.Z. Auerbach Zt”l that permits the removal of embarrassing excessive hair between the eyebrows. Similarly Levush Malchus (4: 13) permits trimming with scissors, but not plucking with pincers. (See also Chevel Nachalaso 13, Birchas Yehudah (Y.D. 9) and other Poskim quoted in their notes for comparable opinions. See also Bava Kama 117a, that Rebbi Yochanan had very long eyebrows that covered his eyes)
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that the eyebrows can be trimmed for the sake of one being able to see properly but not with the exactness and meticulousness typical in women’s facial treatment.”
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a