Management of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes: Focus on bimatoprost
Open accessAbstract
Prominent eyelashes are generally recognized as enhancing beauty and are often desired by women. Until recently, the options available to augment the prominence of eyelashes were limited to makeup, over-the-counter products, artificial eyelashes, and eyelash transplantation. Originally approved for the treatment of ocular hypertension, the prostamide, bimatoprost, is now approved for the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, applied once daily to the skin of the upper eyelid margin using sterile single-use-per-eye applicators, increases eyelash growth, including length, thickness, and darkness. The effectiveness of bimatoprost for eyelash growth has been demonstrated by clinician ratings, digital image analysis, and patient-reported measures of satisfaction. The effects of bimatoprost treatment on eyelash length, thickness, and darkness are believed to result from longer anagen duration, increased hair bulb thickness, and increased melanogenesis, respectively. Dermally applied bimatoprost appears to be associated with a lower incidence of adverse events than administration of the medication as an eyedrop. This more favorable safety and tolerability profile is likely mediated by decreased exposure of ocular tissues to bimatoprost when applied dermally. Taken together, available data suggest that cutaneous application of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% safely and effectively enhances upper eyelash growth.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The total dose of bimatoprost applied to the eyelid margins for eyelash hypotrichosis was approximately 5% of the dose compared with an eyedrop.
“Although the same 0.03 % drug concentration was used for treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, the total dose applied to the eyelid margins was only approximately 5 % of the dose compared with an eyedrop [21].”
From Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth in Japanese Subjects: Two Multicenter Controlled Studies (2014) · cites this paper as [21]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Paus, R., & Cotsarelis, G. (1999) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm199908123410706 · Cited by 1,438 · see citing works
Alonso, L. C., & Fuchs, E. V. (2006) · Journal of Cell Science · doi:10.1242/jcs.02793 · Cited by 557 · see citing works
Noecker, R. S., Dirks, M. S., Choplin, N. T., Bernstein, P., Batoosingh, A. L., & Whitcup, S. M. (2002) · American Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0002-9394(02)01827-5 · Cited by 319 · see citing works
Randall, V. A. (2008) · Dermatologic Therapy · doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00214.x · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Side Effects Associated with Prostaglandin Analog Therapy
Alm, A., Grierson, I., & Shields, M. B. (2008) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2008.08.004 · Cited by 279 · see citing works
The Pharmacology of Bimatoprost (Lumigan™)
Woodward, D. F., Krauss, A. H. ‐., Chen, J., LAI, R. K., Spada, C. S., Burk, R. M., Andrews, S. W., Shi, L., Liang, Y., Kedzie, K. M., et al. (2001) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0039-6257(01)00224-7 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Gandolfi, S., Simmons, S. T., Sturm, R. T., Chen, K., & VanDenburgh, A. M. (2001) · Advances in Therapy · doi:10.1007/bf02850299 · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Prostaglandin-Induced Hair Growth
Johnstone, M., & Albert, D. M. (2002) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0039-6257(02)00307-7 · Cited by 204 · see citing works
One-Year, Randomized Study Comparing Bimatoprost and Timolol in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension
Higginbotham, E. J. (2002) · Archives of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1001/archopht.120.10.1286 · Cited by 199 · see citing works
The side effects of the prostaglandin analogues
Holló, G. (2006) · Expert Opinion on Drug Safety · doi:10.1517/14740338.6.1.45 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Effects of AGN 192024, a new ocular hypotensive agent, on aqueous dynamics
Brubaker, R. F., Schoff, E. O., Nau, C. B., Carpenter, S. P., Chen, K., & VanDenburgh, A. M. (2001) · American Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0002-9394(00)00843-6 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Prostamides (prostaglandin‐ethanolamides) and their pharmacology
Woodward, D. F., Liang, Y., & Krauss, A. H. ‐. (2007) · British Journal of Pharmacology · doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707434 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
Brandt, J. D., VanDenburgh, A. M., Chen, K., & Whitcup, S. M. (2001) · Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0161-6420(01)00584-x · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Do cosmetics enhance female Caucasian facial attractiveness?
Mulhern, R., Fieldman, G., Hussey, T., Lévêque, J. ‐., & Pineau, P. (2003) · International Journal of Cosmetic Science · doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494.2003.00188.x · Cited by 147 · see citing works
Mechanism and Clinical Significance of Prostaglandin-Induced Iris Pigmentation
Stjernschantz, J., Albert, D. M., Hu, D., Drago, F., & Wistrand, P. J. (2002) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/s0039-6257(02)00292-8 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Hormonal regulation of hair follicles exhibits a biological paradox
Randall, V. A. (2007) · Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology · doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2007.02.004 · Cited by 124 · see citing works
Variation of 24-Hour Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Individuals
Liu, J. H. K., Sit, A. J., & Weinreb, R. N. (2005) · Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.05.007 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Bimatoprost-Induced Periocular Skin Hyperpigmentation
Kapur, R. (2005) · Archives of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1001/archopht.123.11.1541 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Woodward, D. F., Carling, R. W., Cornell, C. L., Fliri, H. G., Martos, J. L., Pettit, S. N., Liang, Y., & Wang, J. W. (2008) · Pharmacology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1016/j.pharmthera.2008.08.001 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Human eyelash characterization
Thibaut, S., Becker, E. D., Caisey, L., Baras, D., Karatas, S., Jammayrac, O., Pisella, P., & Bernard, B. A. (2009) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09487.x · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Special considerations in eye cosmetics
Draelos, Z. D. (2001) · Clinics in Dermatology · doi:10.1016/s0738-081x(01)00204-8 · Cited by 77 · see citing works
Whitcup, S. M. (2003) · British Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1136/bjo.87.1.57 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
Na, J. I., Kwon, O. S., Kim, B. J., Park, W. S., Oh, J. K., Kim, K. H., Cho, K. H., & Eun, H. C. (2006) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07495.x · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Update on the mechanism of action of bimatoprost: a review and discussion of new evidence
Krauss, A. H. ‐., & Woodward, D. F. (2004) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2003.12.014 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Anatomy and Physiology of Eyelash Follicles
Elder, M. (1997) · Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.1097/00002341-199703000-00004 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Williams, R. D., Cohen, J. S., Gross, R. L., Liu, C.-C., Safyan, E., Batoosingh, A. L., & for the Bimatoprost Study Group (2008) · British Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1136/bjo.2007.128454 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Khong, J. J., Casson, R. J., Huilgol, S. C., & Selva, D. N. (2006) · Survey of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.survophthal.2006.08.004 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Hypertrichosis of vellus hairs of the malar region after unilateral treatment with bimatoprost
Hart, J., & Shafranov, G. (2004) · American Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2003.09.002 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Prevention of Dermatologic Side Effects of Bimatoprost 0.03% Topical Therapy
Centofanti, M., Oddone, F., Chimenti, S., Tanga, L., Citarella, L., & Manni, G. (2006) · American Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.1016/j.ajo.2006.07.019 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Instilled bimatoprost ophthalmic solution in patients with eyelash alopecia areata
Ochoa, B. E., Sah, D., Wang, G., Stamper, R. L., & Price, V. H. (2009) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.01.027 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Shaikh, M. Y., & Bodla, A. A. (2006) · Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics · doi:10.1089/jop.2006.22.76 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth
Fagien, S., Walt, J. G., Carruthers, J., Cox, S. E., Wirta, D., Weng, E., & Beddingfield, F. C. (2013) · Aesthetic Surgery Journal · doi:10.1177/1090820x13495887 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationBimatoprost-induced periocular skin hyperpigmentation: Histopathological study
Taylor, W. (2006) · Digest of the World Core Medical Journals · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Synnott, A. (2006) · Facial Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1055/s-2006-950173 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Eyelash Reconstruction and Aesthetic Augmentation with Strip Composite Sideburn Graft
Hernández-Zendejas, G., & Guerrerosantos, J. (1998) · Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.1097/00006534-199806000-00032 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Successful use of bimatoprost in the treatment of alopecia of the eyelashes
Zaheri, S. C., & Hughes, B. (2009) · Clinical and Experimental Dermatology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03755.x · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Straub, P. M. (2008) · Facial Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1055/s-0028-1102907 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
O'Donoghue, M. N. (2000) · Dermatologic Clinics · doi:10.1016/s0733-8635(05)70214-x · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Empirical Discovery Yields Treatment for Sparse Eyelashes
Woodson, S. A. (2009) · Nursing for Women s Health · doi:10.1111/j.1751-486x.2009.01426.x · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Eyelash enhancement properties of topical dechloro ethylcloprostenolamide
Choy, I. O., & Lin, S. X. (2008) · Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy · doi:10.1080/14764170802054138 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- [9]Moses RA The eyelids Moses RA Adler’s Physiology of the Eye: Clinical Application 5th ed St. Louis, MO C.V. Mosby Company 1970 1 16
- [10]Khong JJ Casson RJ Huilgol SC Selva D Madarosis Surv Ophthalmol 2006 51 6 550 560 17134645
- [12]Habif TP Hair diseases Habif TP Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment 4th ed St. Louis, MO C.V. Mosby Company 2003
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Prévost, S., Thai, K., Schützenmeister, N., Coulthard, G., Erb, W., & Aggarwal, V. K. (2015) · Organic Letters · doi:10.1021/ol503520f · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Recent Progress in Prostaglandin F2 Ethanolamide (Prostamide F2) Research and Therapeutics
Woodward, D. F., Wang, J. W., & Poloso, N. J. (2013) · Pharmacological Reviews · doi:10.1124/pr.112.007088 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
The eyelash follicle features and anomalies: A review
Aumond, S., & Bitton, E. (2018) · Journal of Optometry · doi:10.1016/j.optom.2018.05.003 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Instilled bimatoprost ophthalmic solution in patients with eyelash alopecia areata
Ochoa, B. E., Sah, D., Wang, G., Stamper, R. L., & Price, V. H. (2009) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.01.027 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Bimatoprost 0.03% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis
CARRUTHERS, J. D. A., Beer, K. R., CARRUTHERS, A. J., Coleman, W. P., Draelos, Z. D., Jones, D., Goldman, M. P., Pucci, M. L., VanDenburgh, A. M., Weng, E., et al. (2016) · Dermatologic Surgery · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000000755 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth in Japanese Subjects: Two Multicenter Controlled Studies
Harii, K., Arase, S., Tsuboi, R., Weng, E., Daniels, S., & VanDenburgh, A. (2014) · Aesthetic Plastic Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00266-014-0293-7 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Prostanoids and Hair Follicles: Implications for Therapy of Hair Disorders
Xu, X., & Chen, H. (2017) · Acta Dermato Venereologica · doi:10.2340/00015555-2843 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
An evaluation of the safety and efficacy of bimatoprost for eyelash growth in pediatric subjects
Mao, C., Bruce, S., Wirta, D., Yoelin, S. G., Lee, S. W., Borchert, M., & VanDenburgh, A. M. (2016) · Clinical ophthalmology · doi:10.2147/opth.s89561 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Subedi, L., Pandey, P., Shim, J., Kim, K.-T., Cho, S., Koo, K.-T., Kim, B. J., & Park, J. W. (2022) · Drug Delivery · doi:10.1080/10717544.2022.2027046 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Patient-Reported Outcomes of Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth
Fagien, S., Walt, J. G., Carruthers, J., Cox, S. E., Wirta, D., Weng, E., & Beddingfield, F. C. (2013) · Aesthetic Surgery Journal · doi:10.1177/1090820x13495887 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Self-citationWittenberg, J. B., Zhou, W., Wang, P. G., & Krynitsky, A. J. (2014) · Journal of Chromatography A · doi:10.1016/j.chroma.2014.07.032 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
From Eye Care to Hair Growth: Bimatoprost
Zeppieri, M., Gagliano, C., Spadea, L., Salati, C., Chukwuyem, E., Enaholo, E. S., D’Esposito, F., & Musa, M. (2024) · Pharmaceuticals · doi:10.3390/ph17050561 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Safety and Efficacy of Bimatoprost for Eyelash Growth in Postchemotherapy Subjects.
Wirta, D., Baumann, L., Bruce, S., Ahluwalia, G. S., Weng, E., & Daniels, S. R. (2015) · PubMed Central · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Revisiting the Safety of Prostaglandin Analog Eyelash Growth Products
Steinsapir, K. D., & Steinsapir, S. (2021) · Dermatologic Surgery · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000002928 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Giannico, A. T., Lima, L., Russ, H. H. A., & Montiani‐Ferreira, F. (2013) · Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics · doi:10.1089/jop.2013.0075 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Recent Progress in Prostaglandin F 2a Ethanolamide (Prostamide F2a) Research and Therapeutics
Ohlstein, E. H., Woodward, D. F., Wang, J. W., & Poloso, N. J. (2013) · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Suchonwanit, P., Chanasumon, N., & Sriphojanart, T. (2019) · Dermatologic Surgery · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001944 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Acquired causes of eyebrow and eyelash loss: A review and approach to diagnosis and treatment
Mumford, B. P., Eisman, S., & Yip, L. (2022) · Australasian Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/ajd.13947 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Mascara induced milphosis, an etiological evaluation
Kadri, R., Achar, A., Tantry, T. P., Parameshwar, D., Kudva, A. A., & Hegde, S. (2013) · International Journal of Trichology · doi:10.4103/0974-7753.125611 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Effects of LATISSE (bimatoprost 0.03 per cent topical solution) on the ocular surface
Bitton, E., Courey, C., Giancola, P., Diaconu, V., Wise, J., & Wittich, W. (2017) · Clinical and Experimental Optometry · doi:10.1111/cxo.12507 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Yoelin, S. G., Fagien, S., Cox, S. E., Davis, P. G., Campo, A., Caulkins, C. A., & Gallagher, C. J. (2014) · Dermatologic Surgery · doi:10.1097/01.dss.0000452658.83001.d9 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Self-citationWirta, D., Pariser, D. M., Yoelin, S. G., Arase, S., McMichael, A., Weng, E., Mao, C., Demos, G., & Vandenburgh, A. (2015) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Miranda, B. H., Khidhir, K. G., & Tobin, D. J. (2025) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2025.1556431 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Ophthalmic Drug Abuse: Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Ophthalmologists in Jordan
Al-Khalaileh, W., Farha, R. K. A., Hout, M. C. V., & Wazaify, M. (2020) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-019-00216-9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Gaumond, S. I., Warp, P. V., Abdin, R., & Jimenez, J. J. (2025) · JAAD reviews. · doi:10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.03.015 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Shahzad, A., Batool, F., Bashir, K., Xu, J., & Fu, Q. (2024) · Separation Science Plus · doi:10.1002/sscp.202300184 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
An Open-label, Single-center, Safety and Efficacy Study of Eyelash Polygrowth Factor Serum.
Sachdev, M., Velugotla, K., Revanker, S., & Somasekhar, G. (2020) · PubMed Central · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Eyelashes: Anatomical and Physiological Features, Eyelash Loss and Trichomegaly: Review
Duman, N., Duman, R., & Duman, R. (2015) · Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Ophthalmology · doi:10.5336/ophthal.2015-43769
Vu, C., & Luke, J. D. (2017) · Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association · doi:10.1097/jdn.0000000000000337
Fernández‐González, P., Truchuelo, M. T., & Gómez-Sánchez, M. J. (2024) · Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · doi:10.1111/jocd.16265
Chang, T., Wu, C.-C., Huang, H., Lu, J.-Y., Chen, Y., Kao, P.-L., Tang, W. H., Hsieh, W.-J., Liu, L., Percec, I., et al. (2026) · medRxiv · doi:10.64898/2026.09.06.26360639
Sheather, L., Kailani, Z., Qureshi, A. R., Somani, Z., Han, S., & Somani, S. (2026) · Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · doi:10.1097/iop.0000000000003276
- Authors
- Fagien, S.
- Corresponding author
- Steven Fagien
- ORCID
- Steven Fagien
- Venue
- Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2010-04
- Volume
- 3
- Pages
- 39
- ISSN
- 1178-7015 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3047948
- OpenAlex
- W1984842516
- Cited by
- 32
- References
- 40
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5
- FWCI
- 2.19
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Hair Growth and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Dermatologic Treatments and Research
- Keywords
- bimatoprost, prostamide, dermal application, eyelid margin, melanogenesis, adverse events, patient satisfaction
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
