What do the latest studies say about bimatoprost for scalp hair growth?

For several years, bimatoprost has been known primarily as a treatment for glaucoma and, more recently, as a stimulant for eyelash growth. But now, a new question is gaining traction: can this compound also promote scalp hair growth? Recent research has begun to explore this possibility, and its findings offer a promising, though still developing, outlook. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin F2α analog, meaning it mimics the effects of certain substances the body naturally produces, which have key functions in various tissues, including hair follicles. This compound became commercially famous under the name Latisse®, approved by the FDA in 2008 to promote eyelash growth. But its stimulating effect on the hair cycle soon sparked medical interest in its potential use for alopecia, especially androgenetic alopecia, the most common form of hair loss in both men and women

Most of the evidence comes from preclinical studies (conducted in labs or on animals) and early-stage clinical trials in humans. One of the most cited pioneering studies was conducted by Blume-Peytavi et al. in 2012, who analyzed the effect of bimatoprost on cultured human follicles. They observed that the medication stimulated the anagen phase (the active growth phase of hair) and increased follicle size. These initial results generated enough interest to justify testing in humans.

In 2014, the pharmaceutical company Allergan (maker of Latisse) funded a clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of 0.03% and 0.1% bimatoprost in 130 men with androgenetic alopecia. The study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Hair density was measured using phototrichograms (a digital technique that quantifies hair in a specific area) over a 6-month period. Results showed that the bimatoprost group experienced more hair growth than the placebo group, although not to a level considered clinically significant. The study was halted before reaching Phase III, suggesting that while the results were promising, they were not strong enough to warrant immediate approval as a hair loss treatment. A critical point is that the studies were conducted in men, so the findings cannot be directly extrapolated to women with hair loss.

Studies in women and other models

A later study conducted in 2018 by Garza et al., published in FASEB Journal, used cultured human follicles and mouse models to examine bimatoprost’s effects. The researchers found that the drug activated molecular pathways related to cell proliferation in the base of the hair follicle. Although the study did not focus on live human scalps, it helped explain the mechanism by which bimatoprost could stimulate hair growth. In 2021, researchers at the University of Miami conducted a small pilot study in women with frontal fibrosing alopecia, a form of hair loss with inflammatory characteristics. Although the study was not randomized and included only 18 participants, 7 reported visible hair growth after 16 weeks of topical bimatoprost application. The lack of a control group and the subjective nature of the evaluations limit the strength of these conclusions, but once again, a glimmer of potential emerges.

What we know (and don’t) about its safety

In clinical trials to date, the side effects of bimatoprost on the scalp have been similar to those seen with its use on the eyes or eyelashes: mild irritation, itching, and redness. No serious systemic effects have been reported. However, since the scalp has different thickness, blood supply, and pH compared to the eyelid, we cannot assume tolerance will be identical. For now, bimatoprost is not approved by the FDA for treating scalp hair loss. Answering the initial question, the latest studies suggest that bimatoprost could play a role as a hair growth stimulant on the scalp, but current data is insufficient to approve it as a standard treatment. **Unlike its use for eyelashes, its application in alopecia remains experimental. More high-quality evidence, especially from larger and more diverse populations, is needed to determine its real efficacy and long-term safety.

User Experiences with Bimatoprost for Scalp Hair Growth

Bimatoprost, a synthetic prostamide originally developed to treat glaucoma and later used as Latisse for eyelash growth, is now being explored for scalp hair loss. Both research findings and Tressless community discussions highlight cautious optimism regarding its use for conditions like androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Bimatoprost works by extending the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles. In laboratory and animal studies, it has been shown to stimulate scalp follicle growth and promote earlier and more prolonged entry into the growth phase. These effects are mediated through prostamide receptors, which are present in human scalp follicles. In clinical studies, bimatoprost outperformed corticosteroids like mometasone furoate in treating patchy alopecia areata. Users treated with bimatoprost saw nearly 49% regrowth versus 22% with corticosteroids, with fewer relapses and side effects. However, when compared to minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, bimatoprost showed weaker effects and requires further trials to determine efficacy in that setting.

Community Experiences

Tressless users are actively experimenting with bimatoprost, especially in custom formulations. One user tested 1% and 3% topical bimatoprost solutions and claimed better regrowth than with 5% minoxidil, although results were early and anecdotal. Another user considered combining bimatoprost with minoxidil in a serum, while others debated its role in regrowing hair at the hairline. Some users prefer bimatoprost over latanoprost due to its perceived potency but remain concerned about potential risks like orbital fat loss or eye pigmentation changes. These side effects, while rare, are documented in ophthalmologic use.

One post from early 2025 detailed a new user's experience starting bimatoprost, stacking it with oral finasteride and minoxidil. The user expressed excitement but also acknowledged known risks from prolonged use near the eyes. A common theme among community members is sourcing: many seek high-purity bimatoprost powder or compounded formulas and share their results with custom-made solutions. Yet, because bimatoprost is not officially approved for scalp use, there’s an inherent lack of standardization in dosing and formulation.

References

Khidhir, K. G., Woodward, D. F., Farjo, N. P., Farjo, B. K., Tang, E. S., Wang, J. W., Picksley, S. M., & Randall, V. A. (2012). Bimatoprost stimulates human scalp follicles in culture and rodent pelage follicles in vivo. PMC. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545535/

Meta-analysis: Prostanoid analogs for hair loss (2021/2022). PMC. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10043424/ pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Barrón‑Hernández, Y. L., & Tosti, A. (2017). Bimatoprost for the treatment of eyelash, eyebrow and scalp alopecia. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 26(4), 515–522. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28264599/

Reddit. (2021, October 5). Bimatoprost 1% solution on scalp. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/q23mtm/bimatoprost_1_solution_on_scalp/

Reddit. (2025, January 31). Starting Bimatoprost! Hair time. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1ieoceg/starting_bimatoprost_hair_time/

Reddit. (2025, February 23). Topical bimatoprost or latanoprost. Retrieved from https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/1iwixkv/topical_bimatoprost_or_latanoprost/