The drug bimatoprost is already available in the US as a prescription treatment for eyelash growth under the name Latisse. It is not yet licensed for use in the UK as a hair loss product, but you can still buy it online by following an easy process. The main active ingredient in this medication is called Lumigan, and it works in a similar way to the brand name version of the drug.

The product is used to promote the growth of longer, fuller, and darker eyelashes by mimicking the action of a natural compound. It does this by triggering cells to produce more melanin, which is the pigment that gives hair and skin their colour. The drug is also used to treat glaucoma by reducing raised pressure in the eye.

This is done by increasing the drainage of aqueous humour out of the eyeball, which decreases the pressure within the eye. Bimatoprost is a synthetic chemical very similar to one of the naturally-occurring compounds known as prostaglandins.

In a recent clinical trial of the drug, bimatoprost was shown to increase eyelash length and volume significantly in just four weeks. These changes were maintained for more than a year, with the results proving that the treatment is safe and effective. The study included a group of patients with idiopathic (naturally occurring) hypotrichosis, and it is believed that the drug may also be beneficial for those with chemotherapy-induced or hormone-related hypotrichosis.

However, the use of the drug is not without some side effects. The most common is red eyes, which occurs in about 1 in 3 people who use the medication. This is likely due to widened blood vessels, not inflammation (swelling) and it usually goes away in about a month. It is also possible to experience a change in the colour of your eyelids or iris, although this effect typically returns to normal after you stop using the medication.

Other side effects that can occur include dry eyes, itchy eyes, and the sensation that something is in your eye. It is important to wash your hands before applying the eye drops, and not touch the dropper tip or any other part of the eye area with your fingers, as this could lead to an eye infection. It is also advisable to remove contact lenses before using the eye drops and not put them back in until 15 minutes after. The preservative in the solution, benzalkonium chloride, can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and cause damage.

It is important to use the medication as your doctor advises. You should always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging and never use more or less than prescribed. It is also a good idea to keep the bottle and single-dose droppers in a cool, dark place and not store them near light or heat sources. You should also make sure that you use the eye drops within the expiry date and discard them when this period is over. bimatoprost uk