The desire to have long and full eyelashes is a prevalent female beauty need. Many solutions to eyelash enhancement are available including mascara and eyelash extensions. Recent research has looked at making your own eyelashes grow using topical drugs. One such recent topical product used spironolactone (an old high blood pressure medication), which was very effective, but has been pulled from the market due to company proprietary conflicts.
The eyelash hair growth product to enter the market is Latisse. (Allergan manufacturer) This is actually a glaucoma drug that was discovered to coincidentally make such patient’s eyelashes grow. Similar in some ways to Rogaine which was a high blood pressure emdication that had the side effect of scalp hair growth. Latisse, chemically known as a 0.03% bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for inadequate or insufficient eyelashes. This topical agent makes lash growth possible because of its active ingredient, bimatoprost. Although it is not known why it actually works, research suggests that it stimulates the growth of eyelashes by keeping them longer in their actibe growth phase, known as anagen. Remember, hairs go through growth and rest phases which differ for hair on various parts of the body. Eyelash hair, for example, grows a lot less than scalp hair because it has a much shorter and infrequent growth phase. This drug prolongs the eyelash hair growth phase. Knowing that this is how it works shoudl also tell some important issues about it. (see below)
Latisse is a once-a-day treatment you apply topically to the base of your upper eyelashes. Eyelash growth won’t happen overnight. It takes time and regular applications. Clinical studies show that you will begin seeing results around 4 weeks with full results after 16 weeks. Once you begin treatment, you must keep using it each night. Results appear gradually. Once you have full results in 4 months or so, you must continue using it to maintain. If you stop, your eyelashes will eventually return to where you started. This is exactly similar to the scalp treatment of Rogaine. If you remove the stimulus, you will remove the results. In some patients, itchy eyes and eye redness may occur. This may go away as you get used to the product. Be sure that you are applying it properly. (see below)
Incorporate Latisse into your nightly routine after you’ve washed your face and brushed your teeth. Only use it once a night, and don’t overuse it, as this may increase the chance of experiencing eye redness or itchiness. If you miss a dose one night, don’t apply more to try and catch up. If your eye makeup remover leaves an oily residue on your eyelids, wipe off any excess oils with soap and water to ensure a clean surface before you apply it. Always use the sterile, disposable FDA-approved applicator provided in the kit. Don’t try to apply it with a cotton swab. The applicator is specially designed to hold a drop and release a drop and to ensure as well as ensure safety. Don’t let the tip of the bottle or applicator contact your fingers or any other dirty surface to avoid contamination and risk eye irritation or infection.
Latisse brings another valuable resource to eyelash enhancement and beauty. It will not, however, create the same effect as eyelash extensions. It will thicken your eyelashes and may add up to 4mm of length. (which is a lot for an eyelash) But it will be your own eyelashes and avoids the maintenance issues associated with other eyelash products.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana