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This eyebrow growth serum contains hyaluronic acid, hydrating botanicals, and biotin to help nourish and protect the brows against damage by increasing moisture and flexibility, says Vanessa Coppola, founder and cosmetic aesthetic specialist at Bare Aesthetic in Closter, New Jersey. For those looking for hair loss remedies, this serum may also be beneficial. “This serum contains a proprietary mix of peptides that may help to enhance brow growth and fullness, including Capixyl 5%, which is said to block Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a sex hormone that is linked to hair loss,” she says. “Blockage of this androgen has been shown to help improve hair growth, and this approach has been utilized in many hair growth formulas targeted to treat alopecia or other causes of hair loss in men and women.”
Do you need a prescription eyebrow growth serum?
Latisse, an FDA-approved prescription serum for eyelash growth, can also be applied to your brows, says Julie Woodward, MD, chief of oculofacial surgery at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. The active ingredient, bimatoprost, is also marketed as Lumigan for glaucoma. (Eyelash growth was a serendipitous side effect seen in glaucoma trials.)
Although using Latisse for eyebrow fullness is considered “off-label,” since it hasn’t been FDA approved for such use, some research has shown it to work. But you don’t necessarily need a prescription product for fuller, lusher brows, Dr. Woodward says. Over-the-counter products can help improve thickness, and some even encourage more hair growth as well.
How we chose the best eyebrow growth serums
We’ve carefully curated the best eyebrow growth serums based on recommendations from dermatologists and other experts, proven research, and positive user reviews. When choosing a serum, look for products that contain biotin (vitamin B7) and panthenol (a vitamin B5 derivative) to strengthen hair, as well as antioxidants, amino acids like arginine, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, or keratin, a type of protein that makes up your hair follicle.
“Prostaglandin analogs are another type of active ingredient that gives these serums their power,” says Dr. Woodward. Look for the suffix “prost” on the label to see if your serum contains a prostaglandin analog, which exerts hormone-like effects to stimulate hair growth. As a general rule, serums start to work within a few weeks, and the effects last only for as long as you continue to use them. Always do a patch test first to make sure the serum won’t irritate sensitive skin.
A word of caution
While over-grooming is often the cause of thin or thinning brows, it’s not always a purely cosmetic issue, says Candace Spann, MD, a Las Vegas-based dermatologist. “Sometimes thinning brows can be an underlying medical issue,” she says, “especially if the thinning is occurring on the outer thirds of your brows.” This is a telltale sign of a hidden thyroid problem, she explains. Check in with your doctor, especially if you have other symptoms of hypothyroidism such as weight gain, increased sensitivity to cold, and/or dry skin.
If that’s not the case, check out the list below to find the perfect eyebrow growth serum for your specific needs.
Sources:
- Julie Woodward, MD, chief, oculofacial surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
- Dermatologic Surgery: “Bimatoprost 0.03% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis”
- Vivian Bucay, MD, a dermatologist and clinical assistant professor in the department of physician assistant studies at the University of Texas Health Science Center
- Joel Schlessinger, MD, a dermatologist in Omaha, Nebraska
- Howard Sobel, MD, director and founder Sobel Skin, and attending dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital
- Sarah Ford, an aesthetician in Los Angeles
- Ginger L. Urbaniak, MD, a cosmetic doctor in Largo, Florida
- Diane Hilal-Campo, MD, an ophthalmologist in Oakland, New Jersey
- Vanessa Coppola, the founder of Bare Aesthetic in Closter, New Jersey
- Candace Spann, MD, a dermatologist in Las Vegas