The prostaglandin derivatives contained in eyelash serums are known to have some effect in making eyelashes and eyebrows appear thicker. However, for treating scalp hair loss, they have not been shown to have clear advantages over minoxidil in terms of cost, skin irritation, or efficiency, so they are generally not recommended.
Key summary
✔ Prostaglandin derivatives in eyelash serums have been reported to make eyelashes appear thicker.
✔ For treating scalp hair loss, they are generally not recommended when cost, skin irritation, and efficiency are taken into account.
✔ For the scalp, verified treatments such as minoxidil are chosen first.
✔ Using a product long term based only on social media reviews requires careful judgment.
“If it really does make eyelashes grow, couldn’t I apply it to my head? What about applying it where I have no eyebrows?”
After I explained the prostaglandin derivative ingredients found in expensive eyelash serums in a previous article, these questions naturally followed. I am Yoo Hwa-jung, Director of Modi Hair Plant Clinic. Today, I will go over whether this ingredient can be applied to the scalp or eyebrows, and why it is not actually used as a treatment, from the perspective of ingredients and efficiency.
Can eyelash serum be applied to the eyebrows?
It is true that prostaglandin derivatives make eyebrows appear thicker. In fact, when this ingredient was applied around the eyes for several days, eyebrows were observed to become thicker and darker. Even so, there are reasons why it has not been officially released as an eyebrow treatment.
- Prostaglandin derivatives themselves are a relatively expensive raw material.
- Skin irritation may occur in some users.
- Decisively, when cost and irritation are considered, the reasonable advantages over the already available minoxidil were not significant.
So for those concerned about sparse eyebrows, if existing eyebrows are present, I usually advise, “Just use minoxidil.” Minoxidil is relatively inexpensive, causes less skin irritation, and has sufficient clinical experience regarding its effects and safety.
The problem grows when moving to the scalp
| Eye area | Scalp |
|---|---|
| Small application area | Large application area |
| Low cost | High cost |
| Less irritation | Increased irritation |
| Low absorption | Increased absorption |
The same principle works even less favorably on the scalp.
- Areas of hair loss on the scalp are far larger in area than the eye area.
- Because the stratum corneum of the scalp is thicker, more product must be applied.
- Accordingly, costs increase, and the possibility of side effects such as local skin irritation also increases.
- The more widely and heavily it is applied, the more of the ingredient is absorbed overall.
Moreover, for scalp hair loss there is no clear evidence that it works better than minoxidil, which is already marketed and approved, and in particular it does not show the expected benefits for male pattern hair loss. For these combined reasons, prostaglandin derivatives have not become a standard treatment for the scalp or eyebrows.
How should we view the “miracle reviews” on social media?
On social media, there are quite a few reviews with before-and-after photos saying, “After 4 or 6 weeks of applying it, they got much thicker.” This does not mean such effects are entirely false. Given the characteristics of the prostaglandin derivative ingredient mentioned above, a visible change toward a thicker appearance may indeed occur after a certain period of use.
The issue is what comes next. Because this change is cosmetic in purpose, things generally return to their original state once use is stopped. That means it must be applied continuously over the long term, and the possibility of side effects must be carried along the whole time. When weighing whether the benefit of a thicker appearance is worth accepting the side effects of long-term use, I find it difficult to readily recommend.
Prostaglandin vs. minoxidil comparison table
| Item | Prostaglandin | Minoxidil |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | High | Low |
| Irritation | May occur | Relatively little |
| Evidence for hair loss treatment | Limited | Abundant |
| Standard treatment | No | Recommended |
Frequently asked questions
So is it illegal to apply eyelash serum to the scalp?
Under Korean law, this does not mean that the use itself is illegal. However, considering cost, skin irritation, and the amount absorbed over a large area together, it is inefficient for the purpose of scalp hair growth, so personally I do not recommend it.
There are already verified hair loss treatments, so is there a reason to use this?
In terms of effect and cost-effectiveness, there are already approved hair loss treatment products on the market. I see little reason to choose a product whose benefits are unclear and whose potential for side effects is greater. Since the right treatment varies according to your condition, I recommend consulting a specialist.
My eyebrows are really sparse — is there anything I can do?
If you have some existing eyebrows, minoxidil and similar options can be considered first, and if you have almost no eyebrows at all, you can compare other methods such as an eyebrow transplant through a consultation. Since the suitable method differs from person to person, I recommend a medical consultation.
Can eyelash serum grow hair on the head?
Temporary changes may occur, but to date there is not sufficient evidence to recommend it as a treatment for scalp hair loss.
In summary
- It is true that prostaglandin derivatives make eyebrows and eyelashes appear thicker, but due to issues of cost, irritation, and efficiency, they are not used as a standard treatment for the eyebrows or scalp.
- The scalp has a large area and a thick stratum corneum, so using the same ingredient there increases the burden of cost and side effects.
- For scalp hair loss, already verified options such as minoxidil are a more reasonable choice.
- Changes described in social media reviews may occur, but you should also consider that these are cosmetic effects that generally revert once use is stopped.
The conclusion is simple. Taking actual usage experience and the evidence available so far together, no clear advantage over existing hair loss treatments has been confirmed. Considering cost and side effects, it is reasonable to choose verified treatments first.
References
- Blume-Peytavi U, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study to assess the efficacy of a 24-week topical treatment by latanoprost 0.1% on hair growth and pigmentation in healthy volunteers with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012. View original
- Efficacy and safety of bimatoprost 0.01% for the treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis: a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study. PubMed. View original
- Comparative study of the efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil 2% versus topical bimatoprost 0.01% versus 0.03% in treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis: a randomized controlled trial. PMC. View original
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This article was reorganized based on a YouTube video by Director Yoo Hwa-jung of Modi Hair Plant Clinic. This article is intended to provide general medical information and does not replace individual diagnosis or prescription.