Bimatoprost

Also known as: Latisse (eyelash brand), Lumigan (glaucoma brand), prostaglandin analog

Hair Restore

In plain English

Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin medicine best known for growing longer, fuller eyelashes (the FDA-approved product is Latisse for eyelash hypotrichosis). In this catalog it also appears in compounded scalp solutions where it is used off-label to support hair growth. It works by extending the growth phase of the hair and is applied to the skin at the lash line or scalp.

The science

Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostamide/prostaglandin F2-alpha analog that prolongs the anagen (growth) phase and increases the size and pigmentation of the hair bulb. In a 5-month randomized, vehicle-controlled trial, once-daily bimatoprost 0.03% produced at least a one-grade improvement in global eyelash assessment in 78% of subjects versus 18% with vehicle; a subsequent 12-month randomized trial confirmed efficacy and safety for idiopathic and chemotherapy-induced eyelash hypotrichosis. Scalp use for androgenetic alopecia is investigational and less well studied.

References

• Eyelash growth with bimatoprost 0.03% (multicenter RCT), J Am Acad Dermatol 2012
• Long-term bimatoprost 0.03% for eyelash hypotrichosis (RCT), Br J Dermatol 2015