Lumigan eye drops

Lumigan contains the active ingredient Bimatoprost, and is used to treat eyelash hypotrichosis. This is a condition that affects your hair growth. Lumigan improves the growth, length, thickness, and darkness of your eyelashes.

Lumigan was originally developed to treat glaucoma, a disease that causes the pressure in your eyes to increase. However, it is also effective for enhancing eyelash growth.

The normal eyelash growth cycle involves 3 phases, anagen, catagen, and telogen. The active ingredient, Bimatoprost, belongs to a class of medicines called prostaglandin analogs. It is thought to work by increasing the amount of time the eyelashes spend in the active growth phase (anagen) of the eyelash cycle.

Eyelash growth cycle phases

During the anagen phase, the cells divide rapidly and the eyelashes grow thicker and longer.

Lumigan has many benefits making it a useful treatment for eyelash growth.

Lumigan has been shown to be effective for eyelash growth. In one study, 278 adult patients were allocated to use either Bimatoprost (generic Lumigan) or a placebo vehicle over 4 months.

Patients who used Bimatoprost for 16 weeks experienced the following results:

• 106% fuller eyelashes in patients using Bimatoprost, compared with only 12% using the placebo.
• 25% eyelash growth in patients using Bimatoprost, compared to 2% of patients using the placebo.
• 18% darker eyelashes in patients using Bimatoprost, compared with 3% using the placebo.

Clinical trial results demonstrating the effects
of Bimatoprost vs Placebo

This medication is recommended for adults who have thin or sparse eyelashes and are seeking longer, fuller, or darker lashes.

Who cannot use it?

There are certain groups of people who this medicine may not be suitable for. Do not use Lumigan if you are allergic to Bimatoprost or to any of the other ingredients in this medicine.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Lumigan if you:

• Use or have used prescription products for eye pressure problems
• Have risk factors for eye diseases (e.g. glaucoma)
• Have eye problems (e.g. macular edema, iritis, uveitis, lens extraction/aphakia)
• Have had eye surgery
• Have a current eye infection

Dosage

For adults, the recommended dose is to apply Lumigan solution to each eyelid once daily for 16 weeks.

Administering your dose

To apply the product correctly, we recommend that you follow the steps below:

1. Ensure your face is clean, and makeup free. If you wear contact lenses, remove before use.
2. Remove one sterile applicator from the pack and place one drop of the solution close to the tip of the applicator.
3. Apply Lumigan by brushing the applicator along the base of the upper eyelashes (where the eyelashes meet the skin), going from the inner lash line to the outer.
4. Blot any excess solution with a tissue.
5. Dispose of the applicator after one use, then repeat steps 2 to 4 for the opposite eyelid. Make sure to use a new, sterile applicator to help reduce the potential for contamination from one eyelid to another.

How to apply Lumigan eyelash solution

Clean your face

Prepare

Apply

Blot the excess

Dispose

Do not apply this solution into the eye or on the lower eyelid.

When do I use it?

The best time to apply Lumigan is once daily in the evening. This ensures the product stays on your eyelids without being disturbed by makeup, skincare products, or daily activities.

You only need to apply this product once a day. Using it more frequently will not increase eyelash growth and may increase the risk of experiencing side effects.

What if I miss a dose?

If you forget to apply a dose, simply continue with your next scheduled application. Do not apply more than one dose to make up for the missed application.

In studies, patients may start to notice some improvements in their eyelashes as early as 8 weeks after applying this medicine daily. However, it typically takes 16 weeks to see the maximum effect.

The results may be delayed if you forget to apply this solution daily.

Lumigan should be applied daily for 16 weeks. Longer, thicker, and darker eyelashes are visible by 12–16 weeks. Your healthcare provider will inform you when to stop using this medicine.

If you stop using this solution, your eyelashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.

Certain lifestyle changes can help improve the effectiveness of this solution. Consider making the following changes:

Essential lifestyle changes for Doxycycline users

	Maintain cleanliness Keep your eyelids and eyelashes clean. Remove all makeup before applying the solution to prevent irritation.
	Remove contact lenses Lumigan contains an ingredient which can absorb into lenses and cause eye irritation. If you wear contact lenses, remove these before applying Lumigan, and put them back in after 15 minutes.
	Avoid lash extensions Eyelash extensions can damage your natural lashes over time. Avoid getting eyelash extensions when using this solution as it may hinder progress.
	Avoid using too many other products Make sure other skincare products or eye creams you use do not interfere with this medicine. Apply them after the solution has completely dried.

Bimatoprost (Lumigan) is safe for most people to use.

Common side effects

The most common side effects include experiencing an itching sensation in the eyes and/or red eyes.

Less common side effects

Other side effects are less common and usually occur around the skin where the solution is applied, or in the eyes. These include:

• Skin darkening where the solution is applied (this goes away when you stop using Lumigan)
• Irritated eyes
• Dry eyes
• Red eyelids

A few people using Lumigan may notice brown darkening of the coloured part of the eye (iris) which can be permanent. This is rare and only occurs when the solution gets into the eye. There is also a chance that hair may grow outside the treated area.

Seek medical help immediately if you develop any of the following:

• New eye conditions
• Eye infections (e.g. conjunctivitis)
• Sudden decrease in vision
• Eye or eyelid reactions

How to manage the side effects

Some side effects of Lumigan can be managed at home. Here are some tips on how to manage the common side effects of this medicine:

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including non-prescription medicines, supplements or natural health products.

Certain eye drops, such as those used to treat glaucoma (e.g. Bimatoprost, Latanoprost, and Travoprost) may interact with this medication. Consult your doctor if you use any other eye medication.

Store these drops between 2°C to 25°C. Keep the bottle in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity. Avoid exposing it to extreme heat or cold, as this can affect the solution. Make sure to keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal

Dispose of any unused or expired medicine by taking it to your nearest pharmacy. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the bottle or packaging.

Lumigan (Bimatoprost) eye drops are not available to buy over the counter as it is prescription only. Here at HealthExpress we have registered prescribers who can prescribe this solution for you if you meet the requirements.

Lumigan is available to order online from HealthExpress. Simply complete our quick and easy online consultation. This will then be reviewed by one of our doctors.

If this treatment is approved for you, your order will be dispatched from our pharmacy and delivered straight to your door. We offer free next-day delivery service and deliver all our medications in discreet packaging.

Here at HealthExpress, our patients are at the forefront of our care. We are fully CQC approved, and our medical team is GMC registered. All our treatments are shipped from our licensed UK pharmacy.

You can also get your treatments delivered straight to your chosen location in discreet packaging.

All orders made with HealthExpress include free next-day delivery, a free online consultation, and a free prescription if approved by one of our UK-registered doctors.

We currently do not offer any alternatives to Lumigan for eyelash growth at HealthExpress.