Will Rogaine Help Grow Fuller Eyebrows? We Asked Experts

Our quest for the perfect eyebrows occasionally makes us turn to unconventional tactics. We tint and tattoo them. We over-pluck them (and consequently fill them in), and then make ourselves crazy trying to grow them back. Rinse and repeat, as they say.

The brow regrowth journey is a twisted tale, and suffice it to say, we’re willing to try just about everything to get them looking full and lush. Though one modality has us proceeding with trepidation—and that’s Rogaine. (Yes, the popular regrowth treatment for the hair that grows on your scalp.) Does it actually work? Are there side effects? We spoke with brow stylist Joey Healy, trichologist Penny James, and board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, to get all the answers before you try it out. Keep reading to learn more about using Rogaine for eyebrow growth.

What Is Rogaine?

Rogaine (or its generic name, minoxidil) is a topical hair growth treatment. While it is unknown exactly how it works, it seems to help dilate blood vessels in the scalp, which then improves hair follicle function and stimulates hair growth. It generates hair regrowth while preventing future hair loss—a seemingly win-win situation.

It is available in two different concentrations: two percent and five percent. Dermatologists usually advise you to begin with five percent, as results typically aren’t seen at the two percent level.

Can You Use Rogaine on Your Eyebrows?

When it comes down to it, most experts wouldn’t advise putting Rogaine anywhere but the scalp. “Rogaine is a topical solution for the scalp only,” says James. “The skin’s just too thin around the eyebrow bone, and Rogaine has not been cleared by the FDA to be used anywhere else but the scalp.”

In fact, you really shouldn’t put anything near your eye area that isn’t meant for it. “The active ingredient in Rogaine is minoxidil, and the first concern I have is putting anything that’s a chemical around the eye area that’s not indicated for the eye area,” says Healy. “Nowhere does Rogaine claim this is effective or should be used for eyebrows.”

“I’ve talked to many dermatologists about this, and trust me… brow hair and head hair are very different entities and have very different cycles of growth, which has a lot to do with why I wouldn’t recommend Rogaine for your brows,” Healy continues. “Your brows and your eyelashes are more similar, and your brows and the hair on your head are less similar.”

Does Rogaine Work on Eyebrows?

Here’s the thing: You might actually see some results if you do try it out, according to Dr. King—although she notes you risk side effects like burning, dryness, itchiness, redness, scaling, and unwanted hair growth. (Once again: Yikes, and we certainly do not advise it.)

A 2012 study investigated the efficacy of minoxidil versus bimatoprost (Latisse) for eyebrows. After 16 weeks, both formulas were deemed equally effective for hair regeneration. “A subsequent study compared Rogaine with a placebo and found that participants who used Rogaine saw better results overall,” according to Dr. King.

So, researchers have, in fact, concluded that Rogaine can be an effective treatment for eyebrows. That said, it’s probably not worth the risk.

Side Effects

Ultimately, given the side effects, this is one hack you should probably avoid. One study published in 2014 concluded that there were “minimal side effects” after using Rogaine as a brow growth treatment. But according to every expert interviewed, if you put Rogaine on your brows, you’re putting yourself at risk for edema (aka swelling and inflammation), erythema (red patches), and pruritus (or chronic itchy skin). “When you apply Rogaine to anywhere but your scalp, you risk irritation and possibly getting the formula in your eye, which would be terrible,” says Healy. “[You might see] rash, dermatitis, and unwanted excess hair in the form of peach fuzz around the brow and general dryness of the skin.”

To that last point, minoxidil is known for its drying components and some people who use it on their scalp experience dandruff. Those drying qualities would likely only be exacerbated by thinner eyebrow hair and the more delicate, sensitive skin surrounding it.  

What Are Some Better Brow Growth Solutions?

Instead of Rogaine, you can try castor oil, some safe, DIY treatments, Latisse, serums specifically formulated for eyebrows (especially those with peptides), or microblading. The bottom line is that you’re better off keeping your brows as they are than trying Rogaine, which might harm your skin. “Rogaine has never and will never tell you to use it on your eyebrows,” says Healy.