Latisse – An Eyelash Lengthener for You?

Reviewed by Yael Halaas, MD

You may have seen the commercials for Latisse — an FDA-approved eyelash lengthening drug. Actress and icon Brooke Shields seems to love what Latisse does for her lashes, but is it right for you?

It may be if you have tried false eyelashes and are forever caking on the mascara in an effort to make your lashes look lush. Latisse may also complement other facial procedures such as injectables or eyelid surgery by enhancing the natural length, thickness and color of your lashes.

Manufactured by Allergan, Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) is approved for the inability to grow eyelashes, aka eyelash hypotrichosis. It is prescription-only and is sold in many facial plastic surgeons' offices. Your doctor can prescribe and fill your prescription in his or her office, or you may have to fill the prescription at a drug store.

Latisse contains the same active ingredient found in the glaucoma drug Lumigan. Researchers actually discovered its eyelash-growing ability rather serendipitously when people with glaucoma taking Lumigan started sprouting longer, fuller and darker lashes.

Exactly how Latisse works is not completely understood, but it may increase the amount of time that your eyelashes are in a growth phase and boost the number of hairs grown during this phase.

Latisse and Lumigan are different in many important ways. For one, Lumigan is an eye drop, while Latisse is dabbed along the lash line of the upper eyelids with a sterile applicator. Sixty such applicators are included with the package, and these are the only appropriate applicators to use with Latisse. These applicators can be used only once.

Latisse Results

Studies show you can expect a 25 percent increase in the length of your eyelashes, a 106 percent increase in the thickness/fullness of your lashes and an 18 percent increase in the darkness of your eyelashes if you use Latisse. These improvements tend to occur in eight weeks, and full results are visible in 16 weeks.

But the improvements only last for as long as you use Latisse. Some physicians may recommend less-frequent use of Latisse — such as every other day after four months — to maintain the results. Ask your doctor for guidance before cutting back.

Your physician may also recommend other ways to maximize the results of your Latisse treatment. These may include:

• Washing your face and applying Latisse along the upper eyelid/eyelash line only. The Latisse should spread to your lower eyelid when you blink.
• Blotting Latisse off any skin other than the upper eyelid lash line because it may cause hair growth in other skin areas on which it is inadvertently applied.

Latisse Risks and Side Effects

Latisse side effects may include:

• Darkening of the skin around the eyelids
• Brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye
• Red eyes
• Itchy eyes

Latisse is not for everyone. If you are taking antibiotics and heart medications, or have certain diseases or severe allergies, you may not be eligible for Latisse. Pregnant women and people with skin infections of the upper eyelids should not use Latisse.

Latisse Cost

Latisse costs approximately $120 for a one-month supply. Latisse is not covered by insurance.

Latisse: Other Uses?

Latisse is also being studied to see if it can help people who have lost their eyelashes due to the side effects of chemotherapy to treat cancer. Chemotherapy kills all of the quick-growing cells in the body, including those cells in your hair roots. Some physicians are also researching whether this drug has a place in treating hair loss in other areas of the body such as the head.

 

In addition to non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures, All About Facial Rejuvenation provides consumer-focused material on facial plastic surgery procedures such as nose reshaping surgery and face lift.

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(Updated on 01/31/2012)
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