Twice daily use of bimatoprost 0.03 % for eyebrow frontal fibrosing alopecia

Bimatoprost (Lumigan, Latisse) for Eyebrow FFA

Bimatroprost is a prostaglandin F2 alpha analogue that is helpful in stimulating hair growth for some types of hairs. It is FDA approved for treating poor eyelash brow (eyelash hypotrichosis) with a once daily application. A recent report supports the use of bimatoprost twice daily in the treatment of eyebrow frontal fibrosing alopecia.

Murad and Bergfeld from the Cleveland Clinic reported a 48 year old female with eyebrow FFA along with scalp FFA. She was intiially treated wtih hydroxychloroqine (200 mg twice daily), clobetasol scalp lotion and tacrolimus 0.01% ointment. Although her scalp FFA improved somewhat, her eyebrow FFA did not improve with the hydroxychlorouqine and the patient was therefore started on an off label use of bimatoprost 0.03 % twice daily. Within 6 months the patient reported improved eyebrows. She did not experience any side effects.

Comment

This is a nice study to have on hand. There are only three things that can really the used on the eyebrows topically in FFA - minoxidil, topical steroids and bimatoprost. We’ve been using bimatoprost (as Latisse) for many eyebrow hair loss conditions - including alopecia areata, frontal fibrosing alopecia, trichotillomania, and other hypotrichotic disorders. While growth does not occur in all patients and the chances of growth depend on the specific condition being treated and its activity, bimatoprost is one of the tools in the toolbox for getting eyebrows to grow.

Reference

Murad A et al. Prostaglandin analogue for eyebrow loss in frontal fibrosing alopecia: a case report.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2019 May 22. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15704. [Epub ahead of print]