If you’re balding and willing your hair to grow back, then here is some good news. New research reveals how the FDA-approved glaucoma drug Lumigan (bimatoprost) causes human hair to regrow. We already know that Lumigan can help with the thickness and growth of your eyelashes, But can this enhanced growth also extend to your scalp hair?
In this article, we’ll explore how Lumigan reverses hair growth on the scalp and the potential downsides of this medication for use on the head. In addition, you can buy Lumigan online to treat glaucoma effectively.
How Does Lumigan Reverse Hair Growth?
Lumigan (bimatoprost) is primarily known for its use in treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension. However, it has also been associated with an interesting side effect related to hair growth. Here’s how it works:
- Prostaglandin Receptors: Bimatoprost contains fatty acids that bind to prostaglandin receptors. In hair follicles, these receptors are found.
- Hair Growth Mechanism: Bimatoprost is believed to affect hair follicles by:
- Raising the percentage of hairs in the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
- Prolonging the duration of this growth phase.
Clinical Evidence
In March 2023, Frontiers in Medicine published a systematic study and meta-analysis of topical prostaglandin analogs (including bimatoprost) for treating hair loss. The study included six randomized controlled trials that compared prostaglandin analogs with placebos. The key findings are as follows:
- Results showed that prostaglandin analogs significantly improved hair length and density (p < 0.001).
- Adverse events were comparable between the experimental group and the control group.
In patients with hair loss, topical prostaglandin analogs demonstrated better therapeutic efficacy and safety than placebo. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal dose and treatment frequency.
What Can Lumigan Do for Scalp Hair?
Lumigan is growing interest in its potential for treating hair loss, particularly androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). It may promote hair growth by prolonging the anagen stage of your hair follicle cycle and growing the number of hairs in this phase. The hair growth cycle contains three stages: anagen (growth phase), catagen (transitional phase), and telogen (resting phase). It’s thought to work by stimulating the prostaglandin pathway (a series of biochemical reactions involving prostaglandins, which are lipid compounds derived from fatty acids). It plays a role in hair growth regulation.
In a review in the National Library of Medicine, researchers measured Bimatoprost’s benefits in two different ways. In one experiment, they tested whether Bimatoprost could speed up hair strand synthesis in a scalp follicle culture. Using Bimatoprost, they shaved some mice and then measured regrowth in vivo after applying it to the shaved areas. These tests were compared with controls that contained only the vehicle but no active ingredients. Bimatoprost led to faster hair growth or synthesis after 42 days in both of these experiments.
The Taylor and Francis Group review study discussed the possibility of Bimatoprost becoming FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia (male and female pattern hair loss) in the future. According to the study, Bimatoprost is likely to become the third FDA-approved hair loss treatment. Nowadays, Minoxidil and Finasteride are the two FDA-approved agents.
A pilot study in Karger Dermatology investigated whether the drug might be more effective than the standard corticosteroid treatment (mometasone furoate) in autoimmune alopecia areata. For three weeks, 30 people with patchy alopecia areata were unsystematically allotted to receive either bimatoprost two times daily or mometasone furoate once daily. After three weeks, improvements were measured using the Severity Of Alopecia Tool (SALT).In patches that responded after three weeks, bimatoprost significantly improved time response, regrowth percentage, and side effects, but not in patches without the medicine.
What Are the Downsides for Lumigan Used on the Scalp?
There are potential downsides and considerations to take into account when using bimatoprost on the scalp:
- A disadvantage of using Bimatoprost as a hair loss treatment is that hair loss can return once the treatment has been stopped.
- It does not address the root cause of follicular damage, which is dihydrotestosterone (DHT) if you suffer from androgenetic alopecia hair loss, which is a hormonal and genetic issue.
- It may be absorbed systemically into the bloodstream when applied to the scalp. As a result, bimatoprost may cause side effects elsewhere in the body, including eye irritation or changes in the color of the iris, similar to those experienced with its original purpose.
- It is expensive, especially if used long-term for scalp hair growth. Some people may not be covered by insurance for this off-label use, which makes it a significant financial investment.
- The long-term effects of Bimatoprost on the scalp for hair growth are not fully understood. Before committing to long-term use, you should consider potential risks and advantages with your healthcare professional.
- Bimatoprost may be more difficult to apply to the scalp than to the eyelashes. Ensure even distribution and absorption across the scalp by exerting additional effort and precision.
- It is currently not approved for use on scalp hair, which may deter people from trying it for hair loss treatment. If you don’t want to use a watery solution, you will need to get this prescribed off-label from a doctor and find a topical cream for you.
- It can cause side effects like an application site may experience irritation, itching, redness, and dryness. If used on the scalp, some users may also experience darkening of the skin around the application area.
It’s crucial to discuss with your healthcare professional before using bimatoprost on your scalp to understand the potential risks and advantages, as well as alternative treatments that might be available. Additionally, if you want to buy Lumigan online, then order drugs from Canada to get them at the most affordable prices.
Concluding Thoughts
Lumigan, a drug primarily used for treating glaucoma, shows promising potential in promoting scalp hair growth. Studies suggest that it may lengthen the growth phase of hair follicles, leading to increased hair density and thickness. However, there are important considerations to bear in mind. Lumigan’s effectiveness for scalp hair growth is still being researched, and it may not address underlying causes of hair loss like DHT.
Additionally, it can be costly, may have systemic side effects, and requires careful application. Before considering Lumigan for hair loss, it’s crucial to discuss it with your healthcare professional to weigh the potential risks and benefits. Further studies are needed to fully understand its long-term effects on scalp hair growth.
