TLDR Latanoprost, a glaucoma treatment, was found ineffective in treating hair loss in eyebrows and eyelashes.
In a study conducted 13 years ago, researchers evaluated the efficacy of latanoprost, a prostaglandin F2 analogue used for glaucoma treatment, in treating alopecia areata of the eyebrows and eyelashes. The study involved 26 patients with symmetrical eyelash and eyebrow alopecia areata, who were treated over 4 months with topical latanoprost on one side, while the other side was left untreated. The results showed that only one of the latanoprost-treated cases exhibited partial hair regrowth on the treated side. The relationship between hair regrowth and latanoprost application was not statistically significant (P = 1). Therefore, the study concluded that topical latanoprost has no efficacy in the treatment of alopecia areata. The researchers suggested further studies with a larger sample size, longer study duration, and higher concentration of medication.
55 citations,
March 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost eye solutions don't help eyelash growth in people with alopecia areata.
36 citations,
November 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Topical latanoprost doesn't effectively regrow hair in severe eyebrow alopecia areata cases.
20 citations,
January 2003 in “Dermatology online journal” Prostaglandin analogs like Latanoprost might help grow hair on the scalp and body.
216 citations,
October 1997 in “American Journal of Ophthalmology” Using the eye pressure medication latanoprost can cause excessive hair growth and darker eyelashes on the treated eye.
2 citations,
March 2022 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Latanoprost 0.005% solution safely increases hair density and regrowth in scalp alopecia areata.
38 citations,
March 2017 in “Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs” Bimatoprost is promising for treating some types of hair loss but needs more testing for androgenetic alopecia.
6 citations,
January 2013 in “Experimental dermatology” Bimatoprost increases hair growth in mice without breaking down into other substances.
January 2010 in “Yearbook of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery” Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost ophthalmic solutions don't help eyelash growth in patients with alopecia areata.
50 citations,
December 2009 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Latanoprost can effectively treat eyelash hair loss, with 45% of patients showing hair regrowth and no reported side effects.
20 citations,
November 2009 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Latanoprost, a glaucoma treatment, was found ineffective in treating hair loss in eyebrows and eyelashes.
55 citations,
March 2009 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Topical latanoprost and bimatoprost eye solutions don't help eyelash growth in people with alopecia areata.
65 citations,
November 2004 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Bimatoprost can cause excessive eyelash growth.
15 citations,
March 2004 in “American Journal of Ophthalmology” Using bimatoprost on one side of the face caused increased cheek hair growth in a patient.