✅ Medically reviewed by Dr Tom Walker – 12/03/2026
If you have been researching Latisse lash serum, Lumigan eyelash serum, or bimatoprost lash serum, you may have noticed that the names are often used interchangeably. This can make it difficult to understand whether these are genuinely different treatments or simply different versions of the same medication.
In reality, Lumigan, Latisse, and other bimatoprost eyelash serums all originate from the same drug. They all contain the active ingredient bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue originally developed as a treatment for glaucoma.
Understanding the history of this medication helps explain why it is now considered one of the most effective clinically proven treatments for eyelash and eyebrow growth.
The History of Bimatoprost
Bimatoprost was first developed in the 1990s as a treatment for glaucoma, a condition characterised by increased pressure inside the eye. The medication reduces intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of aqueous humour.
During clinical use, ophthalmologists began noticing a consistent side effect in patients using the medication: their eyelashes became longer, thicker and darker.
This observation led to formal research investigating whether the drug could be used intentionally to stimulate eyelash growth.
The results were significant. Clinical trials demonstrated measurable improvements in eyelash length, thickness and pigmentation. Following these trials, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the cosmetic use of bimatoprost for eyelash hypotrichosis in 2008 under the brand name Latisse.
You can read the FDA approval documentation here:
https://www.drugs.com/history/latisse.html
The medication has since become widely recognised as the first clinically proven eyelash growth treatment.
Lumigan vs Latisse: What’s the Difference?
The important thing to understand is that Lumigan and Latisse both contain bimatoprost.
Lumigan was originally marketed as an ophthalmic solution for glaucoma. Latisse was later introduced as a cosmetic treatment for eyelash growth, using the same active ingredient at the same concentration.
In practice, the biological mechanism is the same. Bimatoprost acts on the hair follicle to prolong the growth phase of the hair growth cycle. This allows eyelashes to grow for longer before entering the resting phase. This pattern results in hairs that are longer, thicker and darker over time.
Because the active ingredient is identical, many clinicians recognise that bimatoprost itself is the true active treatment, while Lumigan and Latisse represent different branding and regulatory pathways for the same molecule.
Further clinical research has also demonstrated that bimatoprost can stimulate eyebrow growth, expanding its potential use beyond eyelashes.
For example, studies published in dermatology journals have shown improvements in eyebrow density when bimatoprost is applied to the brow area over several months.
Why the Names Cause Confusion
The confusion between Lumigan, Latisse and bimatoprost eyelash serum largely arises from differences in how medicines are regulated in the United States compared with the UK & Europe.
In the United States medications are often recognised by their brand name. Advertising laws are different, meaning that you often see adverts for medications on television or in magazines. As a result many consumers associate eyelash serums specifically with the brand Latisse.
In Europe and the UK medicines are more commonly described by their active ingredient. For this reason, doctors typically refer to the treatment simply as bimatoprost. Advertising laws prevent TV and magazine adverts for these treatments. This means that only eyelash serums that are not clinically proven are commonly seen in the media.
This is why people searching online may encounter terms such as
- Latisse lash serum
- Lumigan lash serum
- bimatoprost eyelash serum
In practice, these terms all refer to the same eyelash growth treatment.
Lumigan, Latisse and Bimatoprost in the UK
The situation in the UK differs slightly from the United States. While Latisse is widely marketed in America, the branded product is not commonly distributed in the UK.
Instead, treatment is typically provided through doctor-supervised services prescribing bimatoprost.
This is where specialist providers such as MyLash come in.
MyLash was established in 2007 and was the first provider in Europe to offer medically supervised eyelash growth treatment based on bimatoprost.
MyLash forms part of the Opti Laboratories group, a company focused on research and development in eyelash and eyebrow growth treatments. Over the past seventeen years, the company has helped thousands of people grow longer eyelashes and fuller eyebrows using prescription strength bimatoprost solutions and other novel solutions.
Because bimatoprost is a medically active compound applied close to the eye, treatment is always and only provided under the supervision of UK registered doctors. If you ever found a website offering bimatoprost without a doctor then that website is operating illegally.
Is Bimatoprost a Lash Serum?
Many products marketed online as lash serums are cosmetic conditioners. These products often contain peptides, vitamins or plant extracts designed to improve the appearance of existing lashes.
Bimatoprost is fundamentally different.
Rather than simply conditioning the hair shaft, it directly stimulates growth of the follicle itself, allowing eyelashes to remain in the growth phase for longer and produce bigger hairs.
This is why the treatment was able to demonstrate measurable improvements during FDA clinical trials.
The distinction between a cosmetic serum and a medically active eyelash treatment is recognised by regulatory authorities such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
How Long Does Bimatoprost Take to Work?
Most clients begin to notice visible changes in their eyelashes after four weeks of consistent use. The full effect typically becomes apparent after around sixteen weeks, corresponding to the natural eyelash growth cycle.
Once treatment is discontinued, eyelashes gradually return to their natural baseline as the hair cycle resets. Some argue that the enhanced follicle remains larger than it was before treatment but there is no independent clinical evidence to confirm this.
The Key Takeaway
Although the names Lumigan, Latisse and bimatoprost may appear different, they all originate from the same discovery: the ability of bimatoprost to stimulate eyelash growth. Although often referred to as “Latisse lash serum” or similar, they are in fact prescription strength and clinically proven.
Today, bimatoprost remains the most clinically validated treatment for improving eyelash & eyebrow length, thickness and darkness.
Our Clinical Approach
We take a cautious, evidence-led approach to eyelash regrowth.
- All treatments require a medical consultation which we provide as part of our service
- Prescriptions are issued by UK-registered doctors
- Dispensing is carried out by UK pharmacies
How to Buy Latisse Online in the UK
- Place your order on the official Mylash website.
- Complete the short online medical questionnaire.
- A UK-registered doctor reviews your details to ensure it’s safe for you.
- Once approved, your prescription is dispensed and shipped directly to you.
We do not guarantee that everyone is suitable to use this treatment. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a significant eye condition for example, we would not recommend this for you and you would not be charged.
Growth Treatment
Grow your eyelashes with the UK equivalent of Latisse – the same active ingredient of bimatoprost 0.03%
Founded in 2007, MyLash was the first UK services to make Latisse available in Europe. Our team has helped tens of thousands of clients achieve longer, thicker lashes under medical supervision.
We have been featured in multiple UK magazines and newspapers, recognised for our scientific approach to lash and brow growth.
Why Choose MyLash?
- Doctor-prescribed treatment
- Home delivery anywhere in the UK
- Established since 2007, trusted by thousands
- Featured in major UK publications
- Scientifically led, developed by Dr Tom Walker and run by a team of UK doctors
If you’re looking for Latisse in the UK, remember: Boots doesn’t sell it, but you can safely and conveniently obtain it here from Mylash, the UK’s specialist eyelash growth clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lumigan and Latisse both contain the same active ingredient, bimatoprost. Although Lumigan was originally developed for glaucoma and Latisse was later marketed specifically for eyelash growth, they are both the exact same liquid.
Yes. Latisse is a brand name for the medication bimatoprost when used as an eyelash growth treatment.
Yes. Lumigan contains bimatoprost, which is clinically proven to stimulate eyelash growth.
The Latisse brand itself is not widely marketed in the UK, but the active ingredient bimatoprost is available through Mylash.
Clinical studies have shown that bimatoprost can stimulate eyebrow hair growth in addition to eyelashes.
Latisse is the American brand name for bimatoprost 0.03% when used for eyelash growth. Mylash also uses bimatoprost 0.03% for eyelash growth. The treatment is the same.
The treatment is available at Mylash which, after a short medical form, provides everything delivered to your home: the treatment, applicators.
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