Grow Fuller Lashes with Latisse® Eyelash Solution
The latest eyelash-enhancing treatment from Allergan is now FDA approved and available by prescription. Latisse® was granted FDA approval in December of 2008.
Latisse comes in two sizes, the original 3mL bottle that is intended to be a 1 month supply, and a new 5mL bottle that comes with 140 brushes for 10 weeks of suggested usage.
Before & After Latisse® Treatment – Photos courtesy of Allergan
How Latisse Works
Latisse is applied to the base of the lashes on the upper eyelid. By keeping hairs in their growth phase, Latisse produces darker, thicker and longer eyelashes. The effects of Latisse appear after a few weeks but they are not permanent. Patients must continue using it or the eyelashes gradually return to their original state.
The eyelash growth effect of Latisse was discovered during clinical trials for a glaucoma eye drop called Lumigan. Researchers noticed that patients were exhibiting longer, fuller lashes. Research was conducted and Allergan Inc brought Latisse to market as an eyelash enhancement product.
How long does Latisse take to work?
Most of my patients begin to see an increase in their lashes by 3-6 weeks. By 16 weeks the lashes have reached their full length and thickness. Discontinuation of the product will result in a return of the lashes to their previous state.
How much does Latisse cost?
Hess Plastic Surgery is now offering Latisse at an introductory offer of $119 for a one month supply. This offer is only good for a limited time. Contact us for more details on Latisse!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Latisse
Q: What is Latisse?
A: Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% was initially developed as a glaucoma medication. In using the medication many patients noticed that their eyelashes grew. Many even had to trim their lashes due to excessive length. Allergan, who owned the medication, began to market the medication for topical use in patients with hypotrichosis (small lashes). The new medications name is Latisse.
Q: How long has Latisse been on the market?
A: Latisse has been available for several years. Its safety record, as an eye drop solution, extends well over 10 years. Any medication that is used in the eye must be very safe.
Q: Why do I need a prescription for Latisse?
A: Many women exhibit hypotrichosis or reduced amount of eyelash growth. Latisse can result in eyelash improvement of 105% in thickness and over 25% in length. Latisse has been approved by the FDA as a prescription medication and not an over-the-counter medication.
Q: How does Latisse work?
Latisse is applied to the base of the upper eyelashes nightly for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks application can be reduced to every 2-3 days to maintain growth. Latisse is not applied to the lower eyelashes. However, during sleep some of the medication will diffuse across to these lashes increasing them as well. Latisse is thought to affect the growth stage of eyelashes by increasing the length of the growth phase and increasing the number of hairs in the growth phase.
Q: Could balding men use Latisse to grow hair?
A: Latisse works on viable hair follicles. Hair loss in men is a result of a hormone change that lead to the demise of hair follicles and therefore Latisse likely would not work in this situation.
Q: Can Latisse be used for hypotrichosis of the eyebrows?
A: The current FDA approval for Latisse is for treatment of eyelash hypotrichosis only. However, further studies are being undertaken to understand its full potential.
Q: Is Latisse expensive?
A: As of January 1, 2010, due to a manufacturer’s price increase, Hess Plastic Surgery will need to increase the price of Latisse to $119/bottle. Each bottle typically lasts 6-8 weeks.
Q: Are there alternatives to Latisse that work the same way?
A: No. Other products that claim to increase eyelash thickness and length are usually conditioners. These do not actually cause the lashes to grow.
