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Bimatoprost grew longer, thicker eyelashes

Once-daily bimatoprost ophthalmic solution is effective for making eyelashes longer, fuller, and darker, according to study results.

A 5-month, phase 3 trial randomly assigned 278 participants to either once-daily applications of bimatoprost 0.03% (Lumigan, Allergan) (n=137) or vehicle only (n=141).

Researchers conducted the study to evaluate eyelash prominence using the four-point global eyelash assessment (GEA). A score of 4 indicated “very marked” eyelash prominence. Also measured were eyelash length, thickness, and darkness.

Participants were eligible for the study if they were aged 18 years or older, had a GEA score of 1 or 2, and had corrected eyesight of 20/100 or better. Each group was mostly white (bimatoprost group, 79.6%; vehicle group, 82.3%) and female (97.8% and 96.5%, respectively). Participants in the bimatoprost group were aged 22 to 77 years, and aged 22 to 78 years in the vehicle group.

Each participant brushed one drop of either bimatoprost 0.03%, which is approved by the FDA for growing eyelashes, or vehicle to each upper eyelid nightly for 4 months. Eight subjects from both groups dropped out because of adverse events such as eczema, dry eye and contact dermatitis.

At week 16 the bimatoprost group showed GEA eyelash prominence scores of 3 (marked) or 4 (very marked) in 67.2% of the cohort (n=92) compared with 12.1% of those in the vehicle-only group (n=17).

The investigators said their study was limited by the inclusion of few males, blacks, Hispanics, and “other” ethnic groups.

 “ … bimatoprost 0.03% is a convenient, safe, and potentially long-lasting method for achieving longer, darker and thicker eyelashes,” researchers said.

Disclosure: See the study for a full list of relevant disclosures.