How does bimatoprost compare to minoxidil for hair regrowth?

In the 1960s, the pharmaceutical company Upjohn was developing a treatment for resistant hypertension. That’s how oral minoxidil was born, marketed in 1979 as Loniten, a potent vasodilator. Surprisingly, many patients began experiencing body and scalp hair growth—an unexpected side effect that quickly turned into an opportunity. In 1988, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a 2% topical version for male androgenetic alopecia, and in 1991, its use was extended to women. What began as a cardiovascular treatment transformed—after a series of discoveries and regulatory shifts—into one of the most widely used hair loss treatments. Bimatoprost, on the other hand, originated in 2001 as a prostaglandin analog developed to treat glaucoma by lowering intraocular pressure. A few years later, patients reported a visible increase in eyelash growth. This observation led to its FDA approval in 2008 for cosmetic use to lengthen and thicken eyelashes.

A Different Path to the Scalp: Two Drugs, Two Very Different Journeys

Although both are now used on the scalp, their paths could not be more different. Minoxidil emerged from an antihypertensive setting and gained global approval after extensive studies. Bimatoprost came from the world of ophthalmology, with a less direct trajectory and currently only experimental use on the scalp. Minoxidil, in its 5% topical version, works by prolonging the hair follicle’s growth phase (anagen), which increases hair density and thickness. **Bimatoprost, in contrast, acts as an analog of prostamide F2α and also stimulates the anagen phase, but it lacks an official indication for scalp application. **

What Science Says: Comparing the Two in Clinical Studies

A study published in the Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development in 2018 compared topical 0.03% bimatoprost and 5% minoxidil in 16 men with androgenetic alopecia over a 12-week period. Researchers measured terminal hair count (hairs thicker than 1 mm) and hair shaft diameter using dermoscopy at baseline and every four weeks. **They also monitored prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) levels, a compound linked to hair follicle miniaturization. **

Both treatments showed statistically significant improvements in hair density and thickness, with no meaningful differences between them. Only the bimatoprost group showed a slight reduction in PGD2 levels. However, the study’s small sample size (eight participants per group) and short duration limited its ability to provide long-term conclusions. Another randomized clinical trial, published on PubMed Central, compared 2% minoxidil with 0.01% and 0.03% bimatoprost for eyebrow growth in 60 women. All three groups showed significant improvement based on a standardized brow evaluation scale (GEBA), and no significant differences were found among them. Still, the study’s focus on eyebrows—not scalp—and its short duration are important limitations.

Minoxidil has been supported by dozens of robust trials since the 1980s. These studies typically involved hundreds of participants, with follow-up periods of up to 48 weeks. Evaluations included standardized hair counts, photographic assessments, and dermatological grading.

This extensive body of research led to FDA approval in 1988, firmly establishing minoxidil as a reliable treatment for androgenetic alopecia. In contrast, research into bimatoprost’s effects on the scalp is still limited to small trials, often involving fewer than 20 participants. Most of these studies focus on eyebrows or alopecia areata, not the typical pattern baldness for which minoxidil is approved. They also lack long-term follow-up and large-scale evaluations, making their findings more speculative than conclusive.

**Minoxidil remains the most extensively studied and widely used topical hair loss treatment worldwide. It works by enhancing blood flow and extending the growth phase of hair follicles. **

However, it requires ongoing use: if discontinued, its benefits usually vanish within a few months. Side effects can include scalp irritation, changes in hair texture, or unwanted facial hair growth in some users. Bimatoprost shows promise, particularly because of its well-documented ability to stimulate eyelash and eyebrow growth. Still, when it comes to the scalp, it remains an experimental option. The evidence is preliminary, with no large-scale or long-duration studies to support its use in treating pattern hair loss. Additionally, it is not yet approved by the FDA or any other major regulatory body for this indication.

So, Which One Is Better for Hair Regrowth?

Considering the available evidence and regulatory approvals, minoxidil remains the more reliable option for hair regrowth. Though it was originally developed for hypertension, it underwent rigorous scientific testing, which led to its approval and widespread use in treating hair loss. Bimatoprost, originally an eye drop for glaucoma, has shown potential in stimulating hair growth in areas like the eyelashes and eyebrows. While early research suggests it might also work on the scalp, it’s far from being on equal footing with minoxidil in terms of scientific support or approval.

User Experiences: Bimatoprost vs Minoxidil for Hair Regrowth

The Tressless community has been actively discussing the effectiveness of Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog originally used to treat glaucoma and promote eyelash growth, in comparison to Minoxidil, a long-standing and widely-used topical treatment for androgenetic alopecia. Across multiple user posts, Bimatoprost has emerged as an intriguing alternative or adjunct to Minoxidil, especially among those experimenting with less common stacks or those concerned with the limitations of traditional treatments.

In one discussion, a user shared their experience with a combined formula of Minoxidil and Bimatoprost (0.3mg/ml) applied once daily. They referenced a study that suggested Bimatoprost could be more effective than Minoxidil, especially in enhancing hair density (source). Another user explored Dallixa, a serum containing both Minoxidil-like and Bimatoprost-like compounds, recommended by a dermatologist as a gentler option for hair regrowth and potentially to improve hair pigmentation. This was particularly notable as the dermatologist advised against Finasteride in their case (source).

In a broader thread titled Minoxidil Alternative? users discussed the role of Bimatoprost and related drugs like Latanoprost, highlighting that while these compounds work via different mechanisms than Minoxidil or Finasteride, they might help convert vellus hairs to terminal hairs—especially beneficial at the hairline. However, concerns were raised over high cost and limited long-term efficacy data. A more experimental user reported using homemade Bimatoprost 1% and 3% solutions, which they claimed produced better regrowth than Minoxidil 5%, though this was anecdotal and lacked photographic evidence at the time. Another thread summarized user skepticism and interest in prostaglandin analogs, with Bimatoprost being described as potentially most effective when used for specific areas like the hairline, where Minoxidil often struggles. However, it was agreed that it is not a replacement for DHT-blockers and may work best as part of a combination therapy.

Finally, the community also discussed a new company planning to release a topical that includes Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Bimatoprost, suggesting a growing trend toward combining these agents into single formulations for more comprehensive results.

References

Allure. (2022). Minoxidil: Dermatologists on What to Realistically Expect. Retrieved from https://www.allure.com/story/minoxidil-hair-loss-treatment

Associated Press. (2025, March 19). This cutting edge hair loss treatment is a repurposed drug from the 1990s. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/hair-loss-treatment-drug-minoxidil

MDPI Pharmaceuticals. (2023). From Eye Care to Hair Growth: Bimatoprost. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/17/5/561

NCBI. (2022). Minoxidil and its use in hair disorders: a review. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6691938/

PubMed Central. (2023). Comparative efficacy of bimatoprost and minoxidil for eyebrow regrowth. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10514173/

ResearchGate. (2018). The Effectiveness of 0.03% Bimatoprost solution vs Minoxidil 5% in androgenic alopecia. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330826590_The_Effectiveness_of_003_Bimatoprost_vs_5_Minoxidil

Wikipedia. (2025). Minoxidil. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoxidil

Wikipedia. (2024). Bimatoprost. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimatoprost

New Drug Loft. (2025). Compounded Bimatoprost for scalp alopecias. Retrieved from https://newdrugloft.com/compounded-bimatoprost-for-scalp-alopecias/