Alopecia is a common condition observed among people of all ages. It is a disorder that can involve only the scalp as observed in androgenetic alopecia or scalp and body as in alopecia areata or patients under chemotherapy treatment. There are several treatment options with different safety and efficacy outcomes. Bimatoprost, a synthetic prostamide F2α analog originally approved for the treatment of ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma, is now FDA approved as a 0.03%, solution to be applied once daily to increase eyelashes growth. Areas covered: In this review, the authors evaluate the role of bimatoprost in idiopathic hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, in hypotrichosis of the eyelashes associated to chemotherapy, in alopecia areata of the eyelashes and eyebrows and in androgenetic alopecia. In addition, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety and tolerability of bimatoprost are discussed. Expert opinion: Bimatoprost will likely be the third FDA approved weapon in the fight against hair loss. Prostaglandin analogs are the only possible treatment for hypotrichosis and alopecia of the eyelashes regardless of its etiology. Eyebrow hypotrichosis due to alopecia areata or frontal fibrosis alopecia can also possibly benefit of these medications.
Keywords: Androgenetic alopecia; alopecia areata; bimatoprost; chemotherapy-induced alopecia; eyebrows; eyelashes; hypotrichosis; prostamide.