How can I make my eyebrows grow thicker?
Eyebrow hair loss, also known as hypotrichosis, can occur in both men and women but is most common in women over 50 as oestrogen levels fall.
Causes of eyebrow loss can include an over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and alopecia (hair loss) but can also be a result of over-zealous plucking.
How to grow thicker brows – a 2016 study
A 2016 study in the Journal of Dermatologic Surgery looked at whether an eye medication known as ‘Bimatoprost 0.03%’ could cause hair regrowth and thicker brows. Bimatoprost is an eye drop which has been used to treat glaucoma – a problem of excess pressure in the eye.
when applied over a 7-month period. 357 people took part in the study with the following breakdown of patients:
- 1/3 of the patients used Bimatoprost four times a day.
- 1/3 of the patients used Bimatoprost twice a day.
- 1/3 used placebo (no active ingredients.)
The results showed from 1 month onwards the patients using Bimatoprost noticed a significant improvement in their eyebrow fullness and darkness.
Interestingly the patients using Bimatoprost twice a day saw more of an improvement than the patients using the lotion four times a day.
Summary
Bimatoprost eye drops can grow thicker and darker eyebrows when used for longer than 4 weeks.
References
- Bimatoprost 0.03% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis, Dermatol Surg. 2016 May; 42(5): 608–617, Jean Carruthers, MD et al, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414776/