Does Bimatoprost work?

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr Tom Walker – 18/03/2026

Bimatopost 0.03% is a well known solution used for eyelash growth. It has been proven to work in clinical trials.

In controlled studies used for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, treated eyelashes were on average:

• 106% thicker
• 25% longer
• 18% darker

What Is BIMATOPROST?

Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analogue that was originally developed as an eyedrop to treat glaucoma. Doctors noticed that patients using bimatoprost as an eye drop developed longer lashes, darker eyelashes. It was particularly noticeable in patients with unilateral glaucoma, as their eyelashes would be significantly longer on their treated side while the other side would be left with short lashes.

This observation led to formal clinical trials and the eventual approval of a US branded solution as a treatment for eyelash hypotrichosis – a Greek derived term meaning “deficient hair condition”.

In the UK, bimatoprost is prescribed under medical supervision. The medication has since become widely recognised as the first and only clinically proven eyelash growth treatment.

Why Does it Work?

To understand why bimatoprost works, it helps to understand the eyelash growth cycle. Each eyelash follicle cycles through three phases:

• Anagen (growth phase) – where the lash actively grows
• Catagen (transition phase) – where growth slows
• Telogen (resting phase)
• Exogen (shedding)

Bimatoprost works by extending the anagen phase, meaning that the hair grows for much longer than normal. The increased follicle activity gives a thicker and longer hair, and the increased activity of melanocytes enhances pigment production which causes a darker hair.

How Long Does it Take to Work?

Most patients follow a predictable timeline:

• 4 weeks – early visible changes
• 8 weeks – noticeable improvement in density
• 16 weeks – full results

Because eyelashes grow slowly, consistency is essential. If treatment is stopped, lashes gradually return to their natural baseline over the next four months although some believe that the enhanced follicle leaves a bigger hair for the longer term.

Clinical Evidence

Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of bimatoprost for eyelash growth.

The clinical trials showed statistically significant improvements in lash prominence compared to placebo, confirming that the effect is not simply a cosmetic conditioner but caused by true growth of the hair.

Does it Work on Eyebrows?

Yes. Clinical studies have shown that bimatoprost can also stimulate eyebrow growth, particularly in cases of thinning or over-plucking.

This has made it increasingly relevant for women concerned not only about eyelashes, but also about eyebrow density.

When Might it Not Work?

Bimatoprost is unlikely to be effective in cases where:

• Hair follicles have been permanently destroyed
• Scarring alopecia
• Alopecia totalis
• The treatment is used inconsistently

No treatment can create new follicles where none exist and it is important to have realistic expectations. We regularly help people recover eyelashes after illness, such as post chemotherapy, thyroid disease, and many other conditions. Our doctors will not prescribe the treatment, however, in such cases where we do not believe it will be effective.

Is bimatoprost the Same as a Lash Serum?

This is one of the most common misunderstandings. Many products marketed as a “lash growth serum” but are actually cosmetic conditioners. Like a hair conditioner for the scalp, they can condition the hair and improve shine. Some contain peptides and vitamins to help nourish the surrounding tissue. All these things can contribute to growth but they do not alter the hair growth cycle.

Bimatoprost is different. It is a medically active treatment that changes how the follicle behaves.

Is it Available in the UK?

The US branded solution is not directly marketed in the UK. Instead, treatment is provided using bimatoprost under medical supervision. At MyLash, we offer:

• Doctor-led treatment
• UK pharmacy dispensing
• Clinically proven treatment with bimatoprost
• A service established since 2007

This ensures that treatment is both authentic and medically appropriate. Every client is well looked after and we hope to maintain a long relationship with everyone that uses our service.

The Key Takeaway

Bimatoprost works because of one key factor: it is a clinically proven active ingredient that directly affects the eyelash growth cycle.

It is not simply a cosmetic serum. It is a medically active treatment that has been studied, regulated and used for over a decade.

For anyone in the UK researching bimatoprost for eyelash growth, the most important distinction is not between brand names but between cosmetic serums and clinically proven treatments that really work.

Founded in 2007, MyLash was the first UK services to make the bimatoprost 0.03% solution 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

Frequently Asked Questions