Can an eyelash growth treatment be used to thicken eyebrows?

Yes. The lash growth treatments offered under consultation by, can be used to thicken and darken eyebrows, in much the same way that they lengthen and grow eyelashes.

Many women in the UK search for information about using lash growth treatments for eyebrows particularly if they have over-plucked in the past, noticed age-related thinning, or experienced eyebrow loss due to conditions such as hyperthyroidism.

Because eyebrows and eyelashes share similar follicle biology the same active ingredients, such as bimatoprost 0.03 mg/ml, can stimulate brow follicles in the same way they stimulates lash follicles.

What are lash growth treatments?

Lash growth treatments are prescription-strength solutions available in the UK through our doctor-led consultation service. These differ to over the counter lash “serums”.

Treatments can be expected to contain active ingredients like bimatoprost which is a prostaglandin analogue that mimics naturally occurring signalling molecules involved in hair growth regulation.

When applied carefully to the base of a hair it encourages follicles to enter and remain in the growth phase of the hair growth cycle.

In FDA clinical trials for bimatoprost it was found that treated eyelashes grew on average:

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

Although identical percentage data has not been formally published for eyebrows, studies and clinical experience has shown that the underlying eyebrow hair response to bimatoprost is similar.

Most users begin to notice changes within 4 weeks with full results typically appearing between 12 weeks for most people.

How does bimatoprost work on eyebrows?

Research has shown that bimatoprost works just as effectively on eyebrows as it does on eyelashes, although the specific percentage increases in length, thickness and colour saturation have not been formally measured. Eyebrow follicles differ slightly from eyelash follicles in some aspects. Eyebrows grow at a faster rate but they do not tend to grow as long as an eyelash can.

When applied to a normal eyebrow hair, the treatment will soak into the follicle and kick-start the growth cycle, stimulating it to grow longer than it would naturally. When applied to vellus hairs, the tiny hairs found all over the body except the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, the treatment thickens and darkens them enough to make them appear like “proper” hairs. This is sufficient to thicken an overplucked or thinning brow.

This makes it particularly helpful in cases of:

• Over-plucking
• Age-related thinning
• Thyroid related eyebrow loss
• Mild patchy eyebrow regrowth

In our clinical experience, brow regrowth can sometimes appear slightly faster than lash regrowth, with early changes noticeable at 4 weeks and fuller thickening in 12 to 14 weeks.

We provide you with a precision applicator, purposely designed for eyebrow use, to ensure you get the best results.

Clinical Evidence for Eyebrow Regrowth

Bimatoprost has been studied in small studies for eyebrow thinning and has always demonstrated statistically significant improvements in brow density and thickness compared with placebo when used daily for several months.

While most large trials focus on eyelashes, the biological mechanism is identical in eyebrow follicles, and clinical experience by ourselves and by doctors around the world supports its effectiveness.

When Eyebrow Regrowth Treatment May Not Be Effective

It is important to be realistic.

Bimatoprost is unlikely to be effective in cases of:

• Scarring alopecia
• Permanent follicle destruction
• Severe inflammatory skin disease
• Long-standing complete follicular loss

No treatment can generate new follicles where none exist. We believe that being transparent about limitations is central to safe and responsible prescribing.

Who are Mylash?

Mylash are the experts in eyelash care. Over the last 19 years we have helped thousands of people to grow their eyelashes with our prescription strength growth treatments and expert advice.

We are part of the Opti Laboratories group: The UK experts in lash and brow care

We offer an online service, run by UK-based doctors. That means that we professionally supervise and regulate your treatment, and deliver to your door.

Once you have placed your online order, we’ll send you a link to an online medical questionnaire. Our doctors review each and every questionnaire before approving treatment and will be in contact if required.

Our doctors are only likely to refuse treatment in the event of pre-existing eye conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding. If we have to refuse treatment then you will not be charged.

Mylash offer a consultation for prescription-strength treatments that aren’t available at high street retailers like Boots. We warn against unregulated treatments offered without medical advice.

What else do I need to know about thickening my eyebrows with bimatoprost?

The bimatoprost solution offered by Mylash is not an eyebrow serum. Eyebrow serums are readily available in shops and online, and don’t require doctor approval. They can nourish and condition the hair, but contain no active ingredient to cause growth.

If you stop using a bimatoprost treatment, your brows will return to their normal size over a period of 12-16 weeks.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have an existing eye condition or have had eyelid surgery, please make us aware on your medical assessment form. You can still apply the treatment to tattooed eyebrows, although we recommend waiting at least six weeks after any new semi-permanent tattoo.

If you would like to know whether bimatoprost may be suitable for your eyebrows, our UK doctors can review your case confidentially through our online consultation.

Why Women Choose Mylash

• Established since 2007
• UK-registered doctors
• UK pharmacy dispensing
• Prescription only treatment
• Trusted by thousands of patients
• Real results you can trust

Written by Dr Tom Walker
Founder of MyLash. Medical doctor and now businessman with interest in eyelash and eyebrow growth since 2007.