Prescription eyelash treatments for lush lashes

Hypotrichosis is the medical term for when there’s not enough hair on the head or other areas of the body where hair usually grows. It also applies when eyelashes are too short, too thin or when they do not grow at all. There are treatments for eyelash growth but not other forms of hypotrichosis.

A lack of eyelashes may be genetic. Some people may notice their lashes thin as they age or because of hormonal changes like menopause, chronic stress or irritation. It can also be related to chemotherapy or behavioral habits, like picking at your eyelashes.

Eyelashes play an important role in eye health. They help protect eyes from dust, debris and other things that cause eye pain. They are also sensitive to movement—like the whiskers of a cat. So if an insect or dirt comes too close to the eye, they can trigger a protective blink reflex. This can help protect the eye from injury or irritation.

Hypotrichosis is usually pretty simple to diagnose because the symptoms are easily visible. But the underlying cause may be more complicated to figure out. Your medical provider can help you determine if hypotrichosis is causing symptoms or if they’re the result of another condition, like a certain medication or hormonal condition. Once they make a diagnosis, they can prescribe the right eyelash growth treatment.

There are two options for hypotrichosis: Bimatoprost and Latisse. Both are applied using a one-time applicator directly on the upper eyelid, similar to how you might apply eyeliner. Currently, there are no prescription eyelash growth pills available.

Treatment for hypotrichosis should only be applied to the upper eyelash area. If applied to other areas, it may cause unwanted hair growth or skin discoloration. These medications should not be applied to the lower lid—the medication will naturally spread there as you blink.

It can take several weeks to notice eyelash growth and up to 16 weeks to see full effects.

It is thought that eyelash growth medicines like Latisse and Bimatoprost cause hair follicles to move from their resting phase into an active growth phase. They may also increase the number of eyelash hairs.

Eyelash growth only lasts as long as you use these medications. If you stop treatment, eyelashes will likely return to their previous appearance.

The medications used to promote eyelash growth are the same medications prescribed to reduce eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. For this reason, it’s important to tell your medical provider if you use any other eye drops or if you have other eye conditions. Do not take these medications without a prescription or without consulting your medical provider.

Right now, we don’t submit medical consultation claims to health insurance companies. But you can use insurance for any resulting prescriptions at your pharmacy.

We’ll send you a reminder for an online assessment when it’s time for your next refill.