Eyelash Growth: How Bimatoprost Works and What to Expect
Bimatoprost 0.03% is the only FDA-approved medication for eyelash growth β and the results in clinical trials are significant. Careprost from Sun Pharma contains identical active ingredient to Latisse at under 5% of the price.
What is Eyelash Growth (Hypotrichosis)?
Hypotrichosis of the eyelashes is the medical term for inadequate or sparse lashes. It can be a natural variation β some people simply have thin lashes β or it can develop from medical causes: hypothyroidism, alopecia areata, chemotherapy, trichotillomania (repeated pulling), or the cumulative effect of aggressive mascara and lash extension use over years. Whatever the cause, bimatoprost 0.03% solution is the only prescription treatment with robust clinical trial evidence. The FDA approved it under the brand name Latisse in 2008 specifically for eyelash hypotrichosis β making it the only drug with this indication. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin F2Ξ± analogue. It was originally developed as a glaucoma treatment (marketed as Lumigan) and clinicians noticed an interesting side effect: patients using it were growing significantly longer and darker eyelashes. This led to the deliberately cosmetic formulation at 0.03%, sold as Latisse in the US. The mechanism is well understood. Eyelashes β like all hair β cycle through growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and resting (telogen) phases. Bimatoprost extends the anagen phase and may increase the number of follicles in the growth phase simultaneously. Clinical trials showed average increases in lash length of 25%, thickness (fullness) of 106%, and darkness of 18% compared to placebo at 16 weeks. Those are meaningful cosmetic changes. Results are maintenance-dependent. Lashes gradually return to their pre-treatment state when application stops, over 4-8 weeks.
!Symptoms
- β’Eyelashes that appear shorter than desired
- β’Sparse lashes with visible gaps along the lash line
- β’Thin or fine lashes that do not hold curl
- β’Lashes that fall out quickly or do not seem to grow
- β’Uneven lash length across the lash line
- β’Regrowth that is slow after damage from extensions, glue, or repeated pulling
?Causes & Risk Factors
- β’Natural variation β the most common cause; some people simply have shorter, finer lashes genetically
- β’Hypothyroidism β thyroid hormone deficiency affects hair growth cycles throughout the body, including lashes
- β’Alopecia areata β autoimmune hair loss that can affect eyelashes and eyebrows
- β’Chemotherapy β many chemotherapy agents target rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles
- β’Trichotillomania β compulsive hair pulling from lashes or brows
- β’Chronic eyelid inflammation (blepharitis) β disrupts follicle function
- β’Prolonged heavy eyelash extension use β glue and weight can damage follicles over time
- β’Nutritional deficiencies β biotin, iron, and protein deficiency can affect lash growth
Treatment Options
Apply one drop of bimatoprost 0.03% solution to the provided applicator brush β or, if using Careprost, to a sterile eyeliner brush. Draw it along the upper lash line only, from the inner corner to the outer corner, as you would apply liquid eyeliner. Do not apply to the lower lash line (it will transfer when you blink). Remove contact lenses before application. Wait 15 minutes after applying before reinserting lenses. If you wear contacts, keep this timing consistent. Apply once nightly, ideally before bed. Wipe away any excess solution that gets on the skin β leaving it on the cheek or upper eyelid skin can cause darkening of the skin at the application site (this is reversible when you stop). Timeline of results: - Week 4-6: First noticeable changes in length and density for most users - Week 8-12: Significant visible improvement - Week 16: Maximum results in clinical trials (25% longer, 106% thicker on average) Maintaining results: once you reach your desired lash appearance, you can reduce to 3-4 applications per week to maintain rather than stopping entirely. Stopping completely means lashes return to pre-treatment state within 4-8 weeks. Side effects to know: eye redness and irritation affect a small percentage of users, especially early on. This usually resolves. Iris colour change (permanent darkening) is theoretically possible from bimatoprost but has only been documented with the high-concentration glaucoma formulation (Lumigan), not the cosmetic 0.03% applied to lash lines. Avoid getting the solution in the eye directly.
Medications for Eyelash Growth (Hypotrichosis)
Careprost 3ml Eye Drops
Bimatoprost 0.03% Β· 0.03%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
$9
USD
Careprost Plus Eye Drop
Bimatoprost/Timolol Β· 3ml
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
$30
USD
Latisse Generic 0.03% Eye Drop
Bimatoprost Β· 3ml
Actiza Pharma Pvt. Ltd.
$40
USD
Lashisma Eye Drop
Bimatoprost Β· 3ml
Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd
$42
USD
Why Choose Generic?
Brand Latisse in the US: $150-$200 for a 5ml bottle with a 30-day supply of applicators. At nightly use, that is roughly $1,800-$2,400 per year for one set of eyelashes. Careprost (bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution) by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries β one of the Top 5 pharmaceutical manufacturers globally by revenue β contains the same active ingredient at the same concentration. The 3ml bottle costs under $10 at SafeRxPills. Sun Pharma's manufacturing facilities are WHO-GMP certified and supply to regulated European markets. The cost difference is entirely a function of US brand pricing and the cosmetic positioning of Latisse. The bimatoprost molecule is identical. For customers who want to verify: both Latisse and Careprost should be labelled bimatoprost 0.03% β that is the specification to compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Careprost take to work?
Most users see a visible difference from week 4-6 of nightly application. Maximum results in clinical trials occurred at 16 weeks. Consistency is the key variable β skipping applications significantly slows progress. If you see nothing at all after 8 weeks of nightly use, check that you are applying it correctly to the upper lash line (not the lower), and that you are not wiping it off immediately after application.
Is Careprost the same as Latisse?
Both contain bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution β the same active ingredient at the same concentration. Latisse is manufactured by Allergan (now AbbVie), an American company. Careprost is manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, an Indian company ranked in the global top five pharmaceutical manufacturers by revenue. The bimatoprost molecule is identical. The cost difference reflects brand positioning in the US market, not ingredient or quality differences.
Can bimatoprost permanently change my eye colour?
This concern is legitimate but applies to the glaucoma formulation (Lumigan), which is applied directly into the eye at higher clinical doses. With Careprost applied only to the upper lash line, the amount that actually enters the eye is minimal. Published literature and clinical experience to date have not shown iris darkening from the cosmetic lash-line application. As a precaution, use the provided applicator rather than your fingers, and wipe away any excess on the skin.
What happens when I stop using Careprost?
Lashes gradually return to their pre-treatment state over 4-8 weeks after stopping. This is not permanent β the drug extends the growth phase while you use it, but does not permanently alter follicles. To keep your results, you do not need to apply nightly forever β reducing to 3-4 times per week once you reach your target is sufficient for maintenance.
Can I use Careprost if I wear contact lenses?
Yes β remove lenses before applying, then wait 15 minutes before reinserting. This is because the benzalkonium chloride preservative in bimatoprost solution can absorb into soft contact lenses. The 15-minute wait is the standard recommendation across all bimatoprost formulations.
Can I apply bimatoprost to my lower lashes too?
Latisse is FDA-approved for upper lash line only, and this is the recommendation. Application to the lower lash line is not established. Some users do apply it to the lower lash line and report results, but the risk of the solution dripping into the eye or onto periorbital skin is higher from the lower lid position. Apply to the upper lash line β it affects both upper and lower lashes as you blink.
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Medical Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any medication. Individual responses to treatment vary. SafeRxPills is an online pharmacy, we do not diagnose conditions or provide medical consultations.