Bimatoprost for Eyebrows: What the Trials Show About Off Label Use
Lokesh Maurya
Bimatoprost is approved by the FDA for one cosmetic purpose only: growing eyelashes. Using it on eyebrows is off label. That single fact explains why reliable information on eyebrow use is hard to find, because the companies that sell bimatoprost are not permitted to promote it for that purpose.
The clinical evidence, however, is stronger than most people realise. There is a Phase 3 randomised trial, several smaller controlled studies, and a head to head comparison against minoxidil. This guide sets out what those trials found, what results are realistic, and where the genuine risks sit.
What the eyebrow trials found
| Study | Design | Subjects | Duration | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carruthers et al., Dermatol Surg 2016 (PMID 27124878) | Phase 3, multicentre, double masked, vehicle controlled | Adults with eyebrow hypotrichosis | 7 months | Significantly more improvement with bimatoprost 0.03% once or twice daily versus vehicle (p less than 0.001) |
| Beer et al., pilot study (PMID 23617229) | Randomised, double blind, vehicle controlled | 20 | 9 months | Confirmed efficacy beyond earlier anecdotal reports |
| Bimatoprost 0.01% trial (PMID 30913051) | Randomised, double blind, vehicle controlled | 40 | 6 months | Significant gains in eyebrow hair density, hair diameter and clinical assessment (p less than 0.001) |
| Minoxidil comparison (PMC10514173) | Randomised controlled, three arms | 60 | Per protocol | Bimatoprost 0.03%, bimatoprost 0.01% and minoxidil 2% all improved scores. No statistically significant difference between arms. |
The Phase 3 trial is the one that matters most. It measured overall eyebrow fullness at month 7 as its primary endpoint, and found that both once daily and twice daily bimatoprost 0.03% beat vehicle. Fullness began improving by month 2 and darkness by month 1.
Realistic timeline
Eyebrow hairs have a shorter growth phase than scalp hair, so the mechanism (extending the anagen phase and increasing the proportion of follicles actively growing) takes time to show.
| Timepoint | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Darkness may begin to increase. No meaningful density change yet. |
| Month 2 | Fullness starts to become measurable in trial conditions. |
| Months 3 to 4 | Visible change for most responders. |
| Month 7 | Trial primary endpoint. Close to maximum effect. |
| After stopping | Eyebrows gradually return toward baseline over weeks to months. |
The effect is not permanent. Bimatoprost works while you keep using it, on eyebrows as on eyelashes.
Bimatoprost compared with minoxidil for eyebrows
The three arm randomised trial comparing bimatoprost 0.03%, bimatoprost 0.01% and minoxidil 2% found all three produced significant improvement on the Global Eyebrow Assessment scale, with no statistically significant difference between them. The authors noted a more favourable response at the 0.03% concentration.
The practical reading: minoxidil 2% is a reasonable alternative, not an inferior one, and the choice often comes down to tolerability and cost rather than potency. Bimatoprost 0.03% has the larger and better designed evidence base for eyebrows specifically.
How eyebrow application differs from eyelash application
Eyelash application uses a fresh applicator drawn along the upper lash line. Eyebrows need a different approach because the treatment area is much larger and further from the eye.
- Apply to clean, dry skin with all makeup removed.
- Use a clean applicator or a fine brush per brow, not a cotton pad, which absorbs most of the product.
- Distribute a small amount along the brow, working into sparse areas rather than saturating the whole brow.
- Once daily is supported by the Phase 3 trial. Twice daily did not show a clear advantage.
- Blot any product that runs onto surrounding skin.
- Do not apply to the lower lash line at any point.
Our step by step method for lashes is in the Careprost application guide, and the same hygiene principles apply to brows.
Side effects and the risks that matter
Because eyebrows sit further from the eye than lashes, some ocular risks are lower, but they are not zero, since product can migrate.
- Skin darkening at the application site. The most common eyebrow specific effect. Usually reverses after stopping.
- Redness, itching and irritation. In the Phase 3 trial, discontinuations included treatment related dermatitis, application site rash and application site pruritus.
- Iris pigmentation change. Reported with intraocular bimatoprost use in glaucoma. This is generally considered permanent and is the reason product should never be allowed to run into the eye.
- Unwanted hair growth on surrounding skin. Notably, the Phase 3 eyebrow trial did not observe unintended hair growth in other facial areas.
- Periorbital fat loss. Reported with prostaglandin analogue use around the eye.
The full safety picture for this drug class is set out in our bimatoprost eyelash serum safety guide.
Who should not use it
- Anyone pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding
- Anyone with glaucoma, ocular hypertension or macular oedema, without ophthalmologist supervision
- Anyone with active dermatitis, eczema or broken skin on the brow area
- Anyone with a history of eye surgery or a current eye infection
- Under 18s
Eyebrow loss also has causes that a cosmetic product will not address. Thyroid disease, iron deficiency, alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia and chemotherapy each cause brow loss through mechanisms bimatoprost does not correct. Sudden or patchy brow loss warrants medical assessment before any cosmetic treatment.
Product options and cost
| Product | Strength | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Careprost 3ml Eye Drops | Bimatoprost 0.03% | 3ml | 9.00 USD |
| Careprost Plus Eye Drop | Bimatoprost combination | 3ml | 30.00 USD |
| Latisse Generic 0.03% | Bimatoprost 0.03% | 3ml | 40.00 USD |
| Lashisma Eye Drop | Bimatoprost | 3ml | 42.00 USD |
| Lumigan 0.01% Eye Drop | Bimatoprost 0.01% | 3ml | 44.00 USD |
Because eyebrow application covers a larger area than a lash line, a bottle used for brows will not last as long as the same bottle used for lashes. The 0.03% products carry the stronger eyebrow evidence. Whether Careprost and Latisse are actually the same drug is covered in our Careprost vs Latisse comparison, and the cost side is covered in is Latisse covered by insurance.
Legal status
Bimatoprost is a prescription medicine in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Its approved cosmetic indication is eyelash hypotrichosis, so eyebrow use is off label. Off label use is a normal and legal part of medical practice when a clinician directs it, but it is not the same as an approved indication, and insurance will not cover it. The US regulatory position specifically is covered in is Careprost legal in the USA.
Related reading
- Careprost results week by week
- Lumigan vs Careprost: are they the same drug?
- Latisse vs bimatoprost: what is actually different
- Eyelash growth condition guide
- Browse the full eye care range
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. Bimatoprost is not FDA approved for eyebrow use. Speak with a licensed pharmacist or physician before using any prescription medicine off label.
References
- Carruthers J, Beer K, Carruthers A, et al. Bimatoprost 0.03% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis. Dermatol Surg. 2016;42(5). PubMed PMID: 27124878.
- Beer KR, Julius H, Dunn M, Wilson F. Treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis using bimatoprost: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled pilot study. Dermatol Surg. 2013. PubMed PMID: 23617229.
- Efficacy and Safety of Bimatoprost 0.01% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Vehicle-Controlled Study. Dermatol Surg. 2019. PubMed PMID: 30913051.
- Comparative study of topical minoxidil 2% versus topical bimatoprost 0.01% versus topical bimatoprost 0.03% in treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial. PMC10514173.
- Humphrey S. Commentary on Efficacy and Safety of Bimatoprost 0.01% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(12):1557. PubMed PMID: 31135571.
Related Topics:
?Frequently Asked Questions
Does bimatoprost work on eyebrows?
Yes, based on controlled trial evidence. A Phase 3 multicentre, double masked, vehicle controlled study found bimatoprost 0.03% applied once or twice daily produced significantly greater eyebrow improvement than vehicle at month 7 (p less than 0.001), with fullness improving from month 2 and darkness from month 1 (PMID 27124878). Smaller randomised trials at 0.01% and 0.03% reached the same conclusion.
Is bimatoprost FDA approved for eyebrows?
No. The approved cosmetic indication is eyelash hypotrichosis only. Applying bimatoprost to eyebrows is off label. Off label use is legal when directed by a clinician and is common in medical practice, but it means the manufacturer cannot promote it for brows and insurance will not cover it.
How long does bimatoprost take to work on eyebrows?
In the Phase 3 trial, darkness improved as early as month 1 and fullness by month 2, with the primary endpoint measured at month 7. Most people should expect visibly fuller brows somewhere around months 3 to 4, and should not judge results before that. Eyebrow hair has a shorter growth phase than scalp hair, so patience is required.
Which strength is better for eyebrows, 0.01% or 0.03%?
Both have randomised evidence, but 0.03% has the larger Phase 3 trial behind it. In a three arm trial comparing bimatoprost 0.03%, bimatoprost 0.01% and minoxidil 2%, all improved eyebrow scores with no statistically significant difference between arms, though the authors noted a more favourable response at 0.03%.
Is bimatoprost or minoxidil better for eyebrows?
They performed comparably. A randomised three arm trial in 60 subjects found bimatoprost 0.03%, bimatoprost 0.01% and minoxidil 2% all produced significant improvement on the Global Eyebrow Assessment scale with no statistically significant difference between them. Bimatoprost 0.03% has the stronger dedicated eyebrow evidence base.
How do you apply bimatoprost to eyebrows?
Apply to clean, dry, makeup free skin using a clean applicator or fine brush per brow, distributing a small amount along the brow and concentrating on sparse areas rather than saturating. Once daily is supported by the trial data, since twice daily showed no clear advantage. Blot any product that runs onto surrounding skin, and never apply near the lower lash line.
What are the side effects of using bimatoprost on eyebrows?
The most common is skin darkening at the application site, which usually reverses after stopping. Redness, itching and application site dermatitis also occur, and were the reason for some discontinuations in the Phase 3 trial. Iris pigmentation change is a risk if product enters the eye and is generally considered permanent, so careful application matters.
Will bimatoprost cause hair to grow where I do not want it?
Unwanted hair growth on adjacent skin is a recognised concern with prostaglandin analogues, but notably the Phase 3 eyebrow trial did not observe unintended hair growth in other facial areas. Blotting any product that migrates onto surrounding skin reduces the risk further.
Do eyebrow results last after you stop?
No. Bimatoprost works by extending the active growth phase of the hair follicle, and that effect depends on continued use. After stopping, eyebrows gradually return toward their baseline density and colour over a period of weeks to months.
Should I use bimatoprost if my eyebrows fell out suddenly?
See a doctor first. Sudden or patchy eyebrow loss can be caused by thyroid disease, iron deficiency, alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia or chemotherapy, none of which bimatoprost corrects. Treating the underlying cause matters more than a cosmetic product, and a diagnosis should come before any off label treatment.
Lokesh Maurya
Pharmacist, Content, B.Pharm, M.Pharm, Rajiv Gandhi University
Pharmacist writing on antiparasitic, ophthalmic and dermatological generics. Focuses on what the regulatory labelling and published evidence actually support.
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