まつ毛育毛治療: Downtime
Almost none Category: Eye Surgery Last updated: 2026-07-14
Eyelash growth treatment (treatment for eyelash hypotrichosis) addresses lashes that are short, sparse, or thin: a topical medication prescribed at a medical institution is applied along the base of the lashes to extend the growth phase of the hair cycle, aiming for changes in length, thickness, and fullness. In Japan, a topical medication containing bimatoprost, a prostaglandin-related ingredient, is approved as a treatment for eyelash hypotrichosis. Some medical institutions, however, use medications not approved in Japan, such as overseas generics, so it is reassuring to confirm in advance whether the medication you will be prescribed is domestically approved. Because the treatment involves nothing more than applying the medication, there is almost none of the downtime associated with incisions or injections, and daily life is barely restricted — though side effects such as eyelid pigmentation and itching can occur. How results appear varies from person to person: noticeable change is generally said to take 1–2 months, with around 4 months of continued use as a typical benchmark. This page summarizes the typical course and precautions. For a final decision, please see a doctor for an examination and consultation.
DowntimeAlmost no downti…
PainAlmost none
MakeupNo restrictions …
Work / social lifeAs usual from da…
On this page
- Downtime at a glance
- Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
- Common symptoms
- When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
- Pain and anesthesia
- Tips for a smoother recovery
- Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Spacing and combining with other procedures
- Who it may suit / who should be cautious
- Frequently asked questions
Downtime at a glance
Because this is a topical, apply-only treatment, there is almost no downtime such as swelling or wounds. Work, makeup, and going out are generally possible as usual from the very first day.
Typical downtime is Almost no downtime (if irritation such as itching or redness occurs, it may last from a few days to as long as use continues), and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after As usual from day one (there is no visible change, and taking time off is generally unnecessary). How much swelling or bruising appears varies from person to person, depending on constitution and the extent of treatment.
Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
Day you start
After your consultation and prescription, the usual method is to apply a thin line along the base of the upper lashes once a day, after washing your face at night. There is no visible change and no swelling or wounds, so work and going out can continue as usual. Follow the instructions given at the time of prescription regarding how much to apply and where.
Next day
There is no visible change yet. Makeup and contact lenses can generally be used as usual (see the precautions below on timing relative to application). Some people may notice itching or mild irritation.
Day 3 to 1 week
It is still too early to notice any change in your lashes. During this period, make the nightly application a habit while also checking yourself for side effects such as itching, redness, or pigmentation. If strong irritation or persistent redness occurs, pause use and consult your doctor.
1 month
For some people, this is said to be when lashes begin to feel stronger or longer. Even if you notice nothing yet, it is too early to conclude the treatment is not working — it is designed around continued use. If darkening around the application area starts to bother you, this is a good time to ask your doctor about adjusting your application technique.
2 months
This is said to be when more people begin to notice changes in length, thickness, and fullness. How results appear varies from person to person, and some people notice little change. If you have concerns about your progress, see the medical institution that prescribed the treatment.
4 months (typical benchmark for results)
In clinical trials of the approved medication, results were evaluated after about 4 months of continued use, so this is often treated as one benchmark for judging the treatment. If you wish to maintain the results, discuss options with your doctor, such as continuing while adjusting the frequency. If you stop, your lashes tend to return gradually to their original state.
If you stop
Because eyelashes follow a natural hair cycle, stopping the medication is said to let them return toward their pre-treatment state over a few weeks to a few months. Any pigmentation that developed is also said to fade in most cases after stopping (progress varies from person to person). Consult your doctor about restarting or continuing.
Bars show approximate swelling levels (individual results vary).
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likelihood | When it appears | How long it lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Itching, stinging, or other irritation of the eyelids | Medium | A few days to a few weeks after starting | A few days to as long as use continues (if it does not ease, stopping is expected to bring improvement) | Mild itching or irritation can occur where the medication is applied. If it persists or is severe, do not simply put up with it — consult the doctor who prescribed the treatment. |
| Pigmentation or darkening of the eyelid (application area) | Medium | A few weeks to a few months after starting | Persists during use (after stopping, it is generally said to fade over a few weeks to a few months) | This is said to occur mainly where the solution touches the skin. Applying a thin line only along the lash base and wiping away any excess can be expected to reduce it. |
| Eye redness | Medium | From a few days after starting | A few days to as long as use continues | Redness is said to be more likely if the solution gets into the eye. Keep to the prescribed amount, and rinse your eye if the solution gets in. If redness persists, we recommend seeing a doctor. |
| Dryness or a foreign-body sensation in the eye | Low | After starting use | A few days to as long as use continues | This is usually said to be temporary, but contact lens wearers may be more prone to symptoms. If it bothers you, consult your doctor. |
| Change in iris color (darkening of the colored part of the eye) | Low | After long-term use | Noted as unlikely to reverse even after stopping | The frequency is said to be low, but cases have been reported mainly with use as eye drops that enter the eye. Even when applying to the lashes, care is needed to keep the solution out of the eye. |
| Hollowing of the upper eyelid (deepening of the eyelid sulcus) | Low | After long-term use | Persists during use (improvement after stopping has been reported in some cases) | With long-term use of ingredients in the same class, changes that make the upper eyelid look hollow have been reported. If you notice a change in how your eyes look, consult your doctor. |
When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
| Activity | Typically OK from | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup | No restrictions from day one | Application is generally done at night on clean skin, after cleansing and washing your face. Morning makeup can go on as usual. |
| Face washing / cleansing | No restrictions from day one | Thoroughly removing eye makeup and oils before applying is said to help the solution take hold. Avoid rubbing the eye area hard. |
| Bathing (soaking in the tub) | No restrictions from day one | Applying after your bath and face wash makes the routine easier to keep up. |
| Alcohol | No restrictions from day one | As a topical treatment, it is generally said to involve no particular restrictions on alcohol. |
| Exercise | No restrictions from day one | There are no particular restrictions on exercise. Sweating heavily right after applying could spread the solution, so applying just before bed is the safer routine. |
| Sauna / hot-stone bathing | No restrictions from day one | There are said to be no particular restrictions, but avoiding these right after applying — and applying before bed instead — is thought to help the solution stay in place. |
| Contact lenses | Wait about 15 minutes after applying before reinserting | It is common to be advised to remove your lenses before applying and to wait a while before putting them back in. If you apply at night and simply go to sleep, this is rarely an issue. |
| Application area and amount | As instructed at prescription (usually the upper lash line only) | Apply a single thin dose with the dedicated applicator or a clean brush, and wipe away any solution that strays. Contact with the lower lashes or the skin is considered a cause of pigmentation and of unwanted hair darkening in unintended areas. |
| Rubbing your eyes | Keep to a minimum at all times | Rubbing your eyes after applying can spread the solution and may cause redness, pigmentation, or darkening of the fine hairs around the area. |
| Eyelash curlers, lash perms, extensions | Often considered fine to combine (mind the physical strain) | Combining is often considered possible, but physical strain such as pulling or rubbing can cause lashes to fall out. Tell both the practitioner and your doctor that you are using the treatment. |
Can you hide it? Concealment difficulty ○○○○○ ／ Because this treatment does not cause swelling, wounds, or bruising, there is almost nothing to hide. Even if mild redness or pigmentation appears during use, it is usually said to be easy to cover with eyeshadow or concealer. It can be called an easy treatment to start without others noticing, though progress varies from person to person.
Pain and anesthesia
The typical pain level is Almost none. No anesthesia is needed. Because the treatment involves only applying medication to the skin, the procedure itself is painless. Itching, stinging, or other irritation may occur during use, but it is usually said to be mild. If you experience significant pain or redness, pause use and consult the doctor who prescribed the treatment.
Tips for a smoother recovery
- Apply a thin line along the base of the upper lashes, once a day and only the prescribed amount, and wipe away any excess right away — this can be expected to reduce side effects such as pigmentation.
- Applying at night on clean skin — after washing your face and before skincare — is said to keep the solution from spreading on the skin and to lower the risk of it getting into your eyes.
- If you notice itching, redness, darkening, or a change in how your eyes look, contact the prescribing medical institution early instead of continuing on your own judgment — this makes it easier to keep things from getting worse.
- Because results are said to take 1–2 months or more to appear, small habits that prevent missed applications (pairing it with brushing your teeth, for example) are considered the surest path to results.
Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- How results appear varies from person to person, and you may not experience the change in length or fullness you hoped for. Results are not guaranteed.
- Pigmentation (darkening) can occur where the solution touches the skin. It is generally said to fade after stopping, but how long this takes varies from person to person.
- Although infrequent, changes in iris color (darkening of the colored part of the eye) have been reported, and these are noted as unlikely to reverse even after stopping. It is important to follow the instructions for use so the solution does not get into your eyes.
- With long-term use, changes that make the upper eyelid look hollow (deepening of the eyelid sulcus) have been reported. If you notice a change in how your eyes look, consult your doctor.
- Itching, redness, dryness, or a foreign-body sensation can occur. If symptoms are severe or persistent, pause use and see a doctor.
- If you are using eye drops of the same class (prostaglandin-related) for glaucoma treatment, the effects may overlap. Never combine them on your own judgment — always consult your ophthalmologist first.
- Some medical institutions use medications not approved in Japan, such as overseas generics. Unapproved products have not undergone Japan's review of safety and efficacy and may fall outside the national relief system for adverse drug reactions, so we recommend confirming the approval status of the medication you will be prescribed in advance.
- Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is generally not recommended. Be sure to see a doctor to discuss whether — and how — to proceed.
If a symptom lingers or gets worse, do not try to judge it yourself — contact the medical institution where you had the procedure.
Spacing and combining with other procedures
If you have an occasion — a wedding, a photo shoot — that you want to reach with visibly changed lashes, keep in mind that noticeable results are said to take 1–2 months and the evaluation benchmark is about 4 months, so starting at least 2–4 months before the day gives you a comfortable margin. Plan your start date together with your doctor. This treatment assumes daily application, once a day at night. Increasing the frequency or amount is not considered to improve results and may raise the risk of side effects, so keep to the dosage and method given at prescription. Decisions about how long to continue or when to pause are made with your doctor based on your progress.
| Combined procedure | Timing | Wait time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyelash Extensions & Lash Perms | Wait required | Can be used in the same period (follow the facility's instructions about applying on the day of the salon treatment) | Because the topical treatment and these cosmetic services act in different ways, combining them is often considered possible, but physical strain is one cause of lash loss. Given questions of compatibility with glues and perm solutions, tell both your salon and your doctor. |
| Double Eyelid Surgery (Buried Suture / Incision Method) | Wait required | Pause application until the post-surgical swelling and wounds have settled (at least 1–2 weeks as a guide; for incision methods, until your surgeon approves) | The eyelids are sensitive to irritation after surgery, and solution touching a wound can cause irritation or pigmentation. Check with the surgeon who performed your operation about when to resume. |
| Eyeliner Permanent Makeup | Wait required | Pause application for about 1–2 weeks after the session as a guide | The skin right after permanent makeup carries fine micro-wounds, so to avoid irritation from the solution and the risk of pigmentation, resuming after the scabs have settled is considered the safer course. |
| Botox Injection Around the Eyes (Crow's Feet, etc.) | Same day OK | Same day, or once the needle marks have settled | If the injection sites are close to the application area, you may be advised to skip applying on the day so the solution does not touch the needle marks. Follow your doctor's instructions on the order and when to resume. |
Who it may suit / who should be cautious
May suit you
- Those bothered by eyelashes that are short, sparse, or thin
- Those who want changes in their natural lashes without relying on extensions or false lashes
- Those who noticed no change with over-the-counter lash serums
- Those who want treatment with an approved medication under a doctor's examination and care
- Those who want to work on their eye appearance with a method that involves no downtime
Consider carefully
- Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant soon
- Those using prostaglandin-related eye drops for glaucoma treatment (avoid combining on your own judgment — consult your ophthalmologist)
- Those with inflammation, infection, or wounds in or around the eyes
- Those with a history of allergy to the ingredient
- Those who would find daily application difficult to keep up, or whom a doctor judges unsuitable due to medical conditions or medications
Frequently asked questions
Will my lashes really grow? When will I notice results?
The approved topical medication has been shown in clinical trials to improve eyelash length, thickness, and fullness, but how results appear varies from person to person, and not everyone experiences the same change. Noticeable results are generally said to take 1–2 months from starting, with about 4 months of continued use as the typical benchmark for evaluation. Because results are not guaranteed, continue the treatment while reviewing your progress with your doctor.
How is this different from over-the-counter lash serums?
Over-the-counter serums are cosmetics intended to condition lashes for strength and resilience; they contain no pharmaceutical ingredients that act on hair growth. Medical eyelash growth treatment differs in that it uses a medication approved for treating eyelash hypotrichosis, under a doctor's examination and care. Because it is a medication, attention to side effects is also required, so it is used with proper guidance on how to apply it.
Will my lashes go back to how they were if I stop?
Because eyelashes follow a natural hair cycle, stopping the medication is said to let them return toward their pre-treatment state over a few weeks to a few months. Maintaining the results assumes continued use, but you can discuss how to continue — such as adjusting the frequency — with your doctor. Progress after stopping also varies from person to person.
I'm worried about eyelid pigmentation. Can it be prevented?
Pigmentation is said to occur mainly where the solution touches the skin, so applying a thin line along the lash base, keeping to the prescribed amount, and promptly wiping away any excess can be expected to reduce it. Even if it develops, it is generally said to fade over a few weeks to a few months after stopping. If you are concerned, check your application technique with your doctor.
I heard the color of your eyes can change. Is that true?
Changes in iris color (darkening of the colored part of the eye) have been reported, mainly when the same ingredient is used as glaucoma eye drops placed directly into the eye, and this change is noted as unlikely to reverse after stopping. With application to the lashes the frequency is said to be low, but it is important to follow the prescribed amount and technique so the solution does not get into your eyes. Ask your doctor about any concerns at the time of prescription.
Can I use it if I wear contact lenses?
Use is generally considered possible, but you will usually be advised to remove your lenses before applying and to wait about 15 minutes before reinserting them. If you apply after washing your face at night and then go to sleep, this rarely gets in the way. If you are prone to dryness or redness, consult your doctor.
Can I combine it with eyelash extensions or a lash perm?
Combining is often considered possible, but the physical strain of attaching extensions or perming can cause the lashes you have grown to fall out. Views on compatibility with glues and perm solutions also vary by facility, so tell both your salon and your prescribing doctor that you are using the treatment and follow their guidance.
Is it covered by insurance? How much should I budget?
When done for cosmetic purposes, eyelash growth treatment is generally elective care paid entirely out of pocket. Costs vary by medical institution and by the medication and quantity prescribed, so it is reassuring to confirm the total cost — including the cost of continuing — at your consultation. Coverage may be handled differently in certain situations, such as lash loss after chemotherapy, so if this applies to you, consult your doctor.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for any specific medical institution. All figures are typical guidelines; results and recovery vary from person to person. Please see a physician before making any final decision. The information on this site is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Final decisions about a procedure's suitability, risks, combinations, and intervals must always be made after being examined by a physician.