Eyelash serum with Bimatoprost: Effect, safety and alternatives

• What Bimatoprost Is and
• How It Works
• Why Its Safety Is Sometimes Questioned
• What the Science Says
• Why Bimatoprost in Cosmetics Is Available Only by Prescription
• Which Serums Contain Bimatoprost
• Bimatoprost, the SuperLash Analog, or Prostaglandin-Free: Which Is Right for You
• Frequently Asked Questions

• Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analog. It prolongs the growth phase of your eyelashes, allowing them to grow longer.
• In studies on cosmetic use along the lash line, side effects are usually mild and temporary.
• In the EU, bimatoprost is classified as a medication. It is available only by prescription not in a serum you can buy over the counter.
• Syrene SuperLash is bimatoprost-free and works with a different prostaglandin analog plus KGF.

Bimatoprost is a synthetic prostaglandin analog: a substance similar to the body’s own fatty acids that prolongs the growth phase of eyelashes. It was developed as a medication for glaucoma (elevated intraocular pressure). During that treatment, something was noticed: patients developed longer and fuller eyelashes. That side effect became the basis for its cosmetic use. The best-known example is Latisse, which was the first product approved by the FDA for eyelash growth in 2008.

It works during the anagen phase—the active growth phase of your eyelashes. Bimatoprost prolongs this phase. As a result, the hairs continue to grow longer before they fall out. The result:

• Longer because the growth phase is extended;
• Thicker because more hairs are in the growth phase at the same time;
• Darker due to increased pigment production.

The first visible results often appear after just 4 to 8 weeks, with the maximum effect occurring after about 12 to 16 weeks (Glaser & Jones, 2010).

It is often claimed that bimatoprost is unsafe for cosmetic use. The most commonly cited concerns are:

• Discoloration of the skin around the eyes (periorbital hyperpigmentation)
• Eye irritation or itching
• Changes in iris color with prolonged use

Context is important here. However, these side effects are very rare and occur mainly when the product is used incorrectly or in excessive amounts. Many of these claims are based on experiences with eye drops (such as Lumigan), where the product is applied directly into the eye—as opposed to the correct application of eyelash serum to the skin above the lash line.

Several clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness and safety of bimatoprost as an eyelash enhancer:

• A randomized study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (Smith et al., 2012) showed a clear increase in eyelash length, thickness, and darkness, with a good safety profile when applied to the lash line.
• A long-term controlled study (Glaser et al., 2015) confirms that side effects are usually mild and temporary when the product is used correctly.
• The FDA approval of Latisse (2008) was based on controlled clinical data.
• Reviews on prostaglandin analogs in dermatology (Fagien, 2010; Choi et al., 2015) reach the same conclusion.

The irony is that bimatoprost is, in fact, one of the most thoroughly studied active ingredients for eyelash growth. Its effects and potential side effects have been extensively described in clinical studies and in the scientific literature.

For many other ingredients used in eyelash serums, such as peptides, botanical extracts, and other prostaglandin analogs, the evidence for both effectiveness and safety when used specifically on the eyelash line is often much more limited.

Websites may therefore claim that such ingredients are “safer” or “milder,” but that does not automatically mean they are better supported by scientific evidence. In the case of bimatoprost, in particular, we know relatively more about both its effects and its risks, because it has been studied much more extensively.

Bimatoprost is not just a regular cosmetic ingredient. It is a registered drug. This has implications for eyelash serums.

In the Netherlands and the rest of the EU, bimatoprost is regulated under the Medicines Act. A doctor may prescribe it for medical reasons. However, it does not belong in a product that you can freely purchase as a cosmetic. Therefore, an eyelash serum that you order without a prescription should not contain bimatoprost.

If you do come across a cosmetic serum containing bimatoprost online, you are essentially using a medication without medical supervision. The substance itself is not banned; its use simply requires medical supervision.

Although Latisse is the best-known brand, there are other eyelash serums containing bimatoprost or related prostaglandin analogues available. Some examples are:

• Careprost (India) – Widely used as an alternative to Latisse.
• Latisse – First FDA-approved medication for short eyelashes.
• Lumigan (off-label use) – Originally for glaucoma, but used as an eyelash serum.
• Old Kruidvat Superlash formula – Contained bimatoprost but has been taken off the shelves for several years

In many European countries, bimatoprost is available only by prescription. This limits its availability.

SuperLash does not contain bimatoprost. It works with a prostaglandin analog that is not bimatoprost, supplemented with KGF (keratinocyte growth factor). The analog promotes a longer growth phase, giving your eyelashes more time to grow. KGF has been added as a growth-promoting ingredient.

Why Syrene Superlash?

• Free from bimatoprost (contains a prostaglandin analogue as an alternative)
• Contains natural peptides and growth factors
• Suitable for daily use, even for sensitive eyes
• Visible results within 4-6 weeks
• Safe, even with prolonged use

Most users notice the first results after about four weeks, with further improvement thereafter. Results vary from person to person. One thin line along the upper lash line per day is enough; using more product will not speed up the results. When used correctly, SuperLash is also suitable for sensitive eyes.

Are you looking for a serum that’s completely free of prostaglandin analogs? Then Organic SuperLash, which is based on peptides and botanical ingredients, is the right choice for you.

An eyelash serum containing bimatoprost can be effective. When used correctly, it has been shown in studies to be effective and well-tolerated. However, as a cosmetic product, bimatoprost should not be available without a prescription. Do you want to achieve the same goal: longer and fuller eyelashes, without this ingredient? Then SuperLash offers a bimatoprost-free alternative. And Organic SuperLash offers a completely prostaglandin-free option.

• Smith S, Fagien S, Whitcup SM, e.a. Eyelash growth in subjects treated with bimatoprost: a multicenter, randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;66(5):801–806.
• Glaser DA, e.a. Long-term safety and efficacy of bimatoprost solution 0·03% application to the eyelid margin for the treatment of idiopathic and chemotherapy-induced eyelash hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Dermatol. 2015;172(5):1384–1394.
• Fagien S. Management of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes: focus on bimatoprost. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2010;3:39–48.
• Choi YM, Diehl J, Levins PC. Promising alternative clinical uses of prostaglandin F2α analogs: beyond the eyelashes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;72(4):712–716.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2008). FDA Approves Latisse to Grow Eyelashes.