Bimatoprost Baldness Treatment

Bimatoprost Baldness Treatment

The science of hair growth has attracted a lot of attention over the years and our knowledge continues to grow. Studies over the years have looked at the various signalling molecules that the body uses to regulate the hair growth cycle and prostaglandins are one type of molecule involved.

The prostaglandin family is a diverse series of agents that are involved in various normal processes of the body. Scientists have found that they are involved with the growth and darkening of hair. The growth of eyelash hair for cosmetic purposes has been particularly studied. Bimatoprost, one member of the family, has achieved FDA approval for the treatment of hypotrichosis of eyelash hair (inadequate or not enough eyelashes).

Studies on hair follicles began in 2008 and found that the expression of prostaglandin receptors increased before and during the growth phase of the hair cycle. A study published in a Swedish dermatology journal looked at the use of a prostaglandin analogue on monkeys displaying male pattern baldness and found a significant effect on hair regrowth, and another study using a prostaglandin agonist showed a positive regrowth of mice fur.

Minoxidil, a drug that is available over the counter in the UK as Rogaine, is used as treatment for male pattern baldness. The mode of action for hair growth has not been firmly established and some papers have shown that at least part of its effect is increased prostaglandin synthesis in the applied areas. This suggests that a prostaglandin analogue could provide better results.

Alopecia areata

Alopecia areata is an immune mediated condition that can target any hair follicle, often causing patches of hair loss. It can be a one off attack lasting for a period of time before recovery but for some people it can recur. It is often distressing and difficult to control. There have been studies using bimatoprost to treat alopecia areata. They have compared their use to steroid treatment or no treatment at all. The results have been positive but the study size has always been relatively small. The studies do not conclude that bimatoprost stops the immune system attack of the hair follicle, rather it can only be said to speed up growth and encourage larger, darker hairs when recovery is already happening.

Androgenic alopecia

More commonly known as male or female pattern balding or androgenetic alopecia, this is the most common cause of hair loss. It is multifactorial in cause with genetic, stress, hormonal and microbiome links. Studies looking at the use of bimatoprost for androgenic alopecia have been carried out but they have been with small amounts of patients in the trials. Some have applied once a day, others twice. There did not appear to be any confirmation of an increase in the number of hair follicles, instead only an increase in the size and pigmentation of existing hairs.

A realistic summary

Hair loss is a frustrating condition that is difficult to treat. Some people achieve better results from the same treatment despite a similar background. Although there is no cure there are steps of management that can be tried. People react to treatments in different ways and it is often a personal journey to find a combination which works best for them.

Bimatoprost is not a miracle treatment. There is no evidence that it can increase the number of hair follicles and it does not cure any condition causing hair loss. Bimatoprost is not a baldness cure – no treatment can live up to that claim. The treatment is expensive relative to other options.

If you have hair loss then bimatoprost is best considered after using the standard treatment recommended to you for a prolonged period of time. If you have tried these more commonly used treatments then bimatoprost may be a possibility.

Mylash have experience

Mylash primarily offers consultation for individuals that feel they have inadequate or not enough enough eyelashes. We do have experience helping clients use bimatoprost for specific hair loss purposes. If you want more information then we are happy to give an honest appraisal of what can be done.

Reference:

Michelet, J. F., S. Commo, N. Billoni, Y. F. Mahé, and B. A. Bernard. ‘Activation of Cytoprotective Prostaglandin Synthase-1 by Minoxidil as a Possible Explanation for Its Hair Growth-Stimulating Effect’. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology 108, no. 2 (February 1997): 205–9. https://doi.org/10.1111/1523-1747.ep12334249.
Stjernschantz, J. W. ‘From PGF(2alpha)-Isopropyl Ester to Latanoprost: A Review of the Development of Xalatan: The Proctor Lecture’. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 42, no. 6 (May 2001): 1134–45. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11328719/
Uno, Hideo, Michele L. Zimbric, Daniel M. Albert, and Johan Stjernschantz. ‘Effect of Latanoprost on Hair Growth in the Bald Scalp of the Stump-Tailed Macacque: A Pilot Study’. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 82, no. 1 (2002): 7–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/000155502753600803.
Li, Alvin W., and Richard J. Antaya. ‘Successful Treatment of Pediatric Alopecia Areata of the Scalp Using Topical Bimatoprost’. Pediatric Dermatology 33, no. 5 (2016): e282–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.12920.
Barrón-Hernández, Yevher Lorena, and Antonella Tosti. ‘Bimatoprost for the Treatment of Eyelash, Eyebrow and Scalp Alopecia’. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs 26, no. 4 (3 April 2017): 515–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13543784.2017.1303480.
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Gupta, Aditya K., Rachel R. Mays, Sarah G. Versteeg, Neil H. Shear, Vincent Piguet, and Bianca Maria Piraccini. ‘Efficacy of Off-Label Topical Treatments for the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review’. Clinical Drug Investigation 39, no. 3 (1 March 2019): 233–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-018-00743-8.
Suzuki, Kazuhiro, Mizuna Inoue, Otomi Cho, Rumiko Mizutani, Yuri Shimizu, Tohru Nagahama, and Takashi Sugita. ‘Scalp Microbiome and Sebum Composition in Japanese Male Individuals with and without Androgenetic Alopecia’. Microorganisms 9, no. 10 (11 October 2021): 2132. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9102132.
Bhusal, Mohan, Sabina Bhattarai, Binita Thapa, Prashanna R. Shrestha, and G. C Sagar. ‘Bimatoprost versus Clobetasol Propionate in Scalp Alopecia Areata: A Prospective Non-Randomized Open-Label Clinical Trial’. Indian Dermatology Online Journal 14, no. 2 (3 March 2023): 221–25. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.idoj_299_22.
Ricar, Jan, Petra Cetkovska, Maria Hordinsky, and Renata Ricarova. ‘Topical Bimatoprost in the Treatment of Eyelash Loss in Alopecia Totalis and Universalis: A Prospective, Open-Label Study’. Dermatologic Therapy 35, no. 6 (2022): e15438. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15438.
Gressenberger, Paul, and Daisy Kopera. ‘Bimatoprost for the Treatment of Female Androgenetic Alopecia—A Case Report’. Dermatologic Therapy 35, no. 9 (2022): e15692. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15692.
Iram, Ayasha, Raheel Tahir, Aliya Akhtar, Madiha Mariam, and Zahra Zafar. ‘Topical Bimatoprost (0.03%) Versus Topical Mometasone Furoate (0.1%) in Treatment of Alopecia Areata’. Annals of King Edward Medical University 29, no. 1 (4 July 2023): 44–49. https://doi.org/10.21649/akemu.v29i1.5396.

Written by Dr Tom Walker

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