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Studies are sparse, but current research suggests Latisse could work for eyebrows. Here’s a quick primer on how to use it and how to get a prescription.
If you’re experiencing eyebrow hair loss or simply have sparse eyebrows, there aren’t many options to help you regrow hair. But one option could come from a prescription-only treatment Latisse.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved Latisse for eyelashes, but some studies support its use for eyebrows as well (more on those later) and have not found any adverse side effects.
If you’re considering using Latisse, talk with a healthcare professional first to ensure it’s safe for you. They can prescribe for off-label use, meaning you’re using a product other than how the FDA approves it.
You also may be able to get a prescription (after an online consultation) through services Optum Store, Ro or Hers.
Although you won’t find official instructions for eyebrow application, here’s the gist:
- Start with clean brows.
- Add the solution to the applicator that comes with your bottle of Latisse.
- Begin gently sweeping it into the length of your brows.
A few tips based on our research:
- Apply it at night so your skin has time to absorb the solution. The brand recommends this when using it on eyelashes.
- To be on the safe side, remove contact lenses before using Latisse on your eyebrows.
- Make sure that the product is evenly applied to the entire brow so results look even.
- Avoid overapplying the product. If you apply too much, you can blot it with a tissue.
- Don’t let the tip of the bottle or the applicator make contact with your fingers or other surfaces, as cross-contamination can lead to an infection.
Doctors don’t know exactly how Latisse works, but they do have some theories.
One is that the medication helps to keep more hair follicles in the growth phase and stimulates hair follicles in the resting phase to move to the growth one.
Although the FDA hasn’t approved Latisse for use on the eyebrows, there are some clinical studies about its effectiveness and safety. These include the following:
- A
2019 study looked at how a low dose of bimatoprost (0.01%) may affect eyebrow growth. The study, although small, found that when bimatoprost 0.01% was applied daily for 6 months, participants saw significant improvement compared with placebo treatment. Researchers also found that it had minimal adverse effects and was well tolerated by participants overall. - A
2016 study followed 357 men and women with eyebrow hair loss who used either Latisse or a placebo once or twice daily for 7 months. At the end of the study, both groups who used Latisse experienced more significant eyebrow growth with few differences noted. Most participants reported noticing a difference versus the placebo after the second month of application. - Research from 2018 on using Latisse for eyebrows found that Latisse was a “safe, effective, and well-tolerated option” to treat eyebrow hair loss.
While these studies show support for Latisse and eyebrow hair growth, many factors can impact its overall effectiveness, including how often you apply it and whether there are underlying causes for your eyebrow hair loss.
Common side effects of using Latisse for eyelash growth include eye itchiness, redness, and skin darkening. The same side effects likely apply to using Latisse on your eyebrows.
If you begin experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction after applying the product, stop using it immediately. The brand also suggests talking with your healthcare professional if you develop an eye infection, have changes in vision, or experience an eye injury.
One of the other major known side effects of Latisse is that it darkens hair. For eyelashes, this is less of a concern since many people apply mascara to make their lashes appear darker.
However, if you have lighter eyebrows, Latisse could potentially make them much darker in appearance.
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- upper respiratory tract infection
- skin itching
- runny nose
- sinusitis
It’s unknown whether these symptoms were related to using Latisse or isolated incidents.
According to the Optum Store, a sister site of Healthline and online platform that offers affordable medications and products, the average cost for brand-name Latisse starts at $115 a month, while the generic product, bimatoprost, is $70 a month at time of publication.
Topical therapies used on the scalp for hair loss (such as minoxidil) are not FDA approved for eyebrows. However, some people may use these off-label to treat eyebrow hair loss.
There are also over-the-counter products that promise to help grow eyebrow hair. These are usually serums that contain ingredients like biotin, peptides, oils, or fatty acids to condition or strengthen existing eyebrow hairs. However, they don’t necessarily affect the growth phase as Latisse does.
Investigating a potential underlying condition may also be beneficial. Several underlying conditions can cause eyebrow hair loss, or hypotrichosis, including:
- autoimmune disorders, such as alopecia areata
- endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
- history of trauma or damage to the eyebrows (such as from a cut, overplucking, or chemical burns from dyeing)
- nutritional deficiencies, such as biotin, iron, or zinc deficiencies
A doctor may be able to identify one of these conditions as the underlying cause of eyebrow hair loss. By treating the underlying cause, you may experience increased eyebrow hair growth.
The brand recommends removing contact lenses before you apply Latisse. These instructions are outlined for using the product on eyelashes as intended, but it’s best to remove your contact lenses for use on eyebrows, too.
Latisse may take months to see results. One 2019 study saw that bimatoprost (0.01%) improved participants’ eyebrows after daily use over 6 months.
Latisse is intended for use at night.
Although it’s pricey, Latisse may be an option for treating eyebrow hair loss. But because it’s available only by prescription, you’ll need to ask your doctor if you can use Latisse off-label for eyebrow growth.
No serious side effects have been reported from using Latisse for eyebrow hair growth. However, Latisse may not be a good fit for people with lighter-colored eyebrows, as it could darken them.
It may also be more impactful to treat any potential underlying conditions causing hair loss rather than using Latisse as a “Bandaid solution.”