A New Drug, Latisse, Makes Eyelashes Grow Longer, Thicker
It is a medical breakthrough. No, not a cure for cancer, but for the short lashed. The FDA has approved a prescription medication that makes your eyelashes grow.
We have known for years that prostaglandin medications used to treat glaucoma have an interesting side effect –they make patients’ eyelashes grow. Now a prescription drug is available that is specifically for treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, (which means sparse lashes).
Eyelashes are hair, just like the hairs on your head and legs. Not all hairs are created equal though; eyelashes are designed to grow a certain (short) length, then stop. The number and thickness of your lashes is determined by your genetics.
Latisse (bimatoprost opthamlic solution 0.03%) is a prescription drug made by Allergan, the makers of Botox. It’s a prostaglandin, an active biologic compound named after the prostate gland, the first place they were found. Latisse has been shown to increase the number, thickness, and darkness of lashes.
Latisse can be applied to the upper eyelashes only and should not be applied directly into the eye. It takes about eight weeks to notice results, and it can take 16 weeks to see the full effects of the drug. Unfortunately, you have to continue using Latisse to maintain the results; if you stop using it, then your eyelashes will go back to the way they were before you started treating them.
Side effects of using Latisse include disoloration of your eyelid. Fortunately this appears to be reversible; the color fades when affected people stop using it. Latisse can also cause darkening of the iris in your eye. Your eye color is genetically determined, but medications can change the color. Latisse might cause increased brown pigmentation of your iris. This side effect, unlike the darkening of your eyelid however, is permanent.
Latisse costs about $120 dollars a month and, of course, is not covered by health insurance. It is apparently already popular among the celebrity crowd: reports say Jenny McCarthy has been using it. The question is how long will it be before someone starts applying it to their eyebrows? I could be the poster boy.
Photo: Nicholas Kenrick (flickr)
So it’s just for those with genetically sparse lashes? Just curious because one of my mom’s friends has no eyelashes, she pulled them all out when she was a kid and now has to wear fakes all the time. When I first saw this I thought maybe it would be good for her.
Hi Jami, if she had lashes at one time, she must have had active follicles. Either way, if she has even dormant follicles present, I’m thinking that Latisse (I use Lumigan from Alldaychemist, the online pharmacy – same as Latisse, but only $12 a vial) might wake them up. Might be worth a try, but might take longer than other people to show results. It would be great if it worked though!
hello
Can you tell me more about Lumigan and how to get it?
Latisse seems really expensive !
-coral
Can you buy the latisse lash product on line or in a store.
On another note, I am a consumer of all things beauty and have worked in the cosmetics industry for quite some time. I have been using Revitalash since it came out a couple years ago and have been very happy with my results. I can actually see a difference. I wanted to let other know that I have not experienced any of the side effects stated by latisse (although anything is possible) and the cost is much more reasonable. Not to mention it can be purchased through your salon/spa because it is strictly a cosmetic!!
I want to become smarter than humans.
@nipchick
Hi! I just pulled up Lumigan and it is sold as a eye drop for glucoma? Are you putting the drops directly on your eyelashes? Thanks!
I bought some Lumigan on-line and used it on my lash line. BEWARE of doing this, as I had a horrible reaction. This stuff is intense! The skin around my eyes turned reddish-brown and I was very itchy. I couldn’t leave the house without a lot of concealer to cover up the discoloration (it took a couple of weeks to go away). I would like to try the Revitalash mentioned above. I’ve been reading some very positive reviews on it on-line. Thanks for the info!!
I would like to know where you can get this latisse for eye lashes. also, how long dose it take to grow. If this cost 120.00 a month.
As the article states it’s 120$ a month, takes 8 weeks to see results
(2 months 240$). If you see growth, great. One problem though.. if you stop the treatment any new growth will be lost and you will revert to having your original levels of eyelashes (Latisse for one year, 1440$ +taxes). You have to get it prescribed by your doctor, as far as I know it’s not an over the counter med.
The scary side to the drug would be permanent eye color change or also called “darkening”. For anyone with blue or light eyes, I’d seriously consider this. They might not change, but if they do it’s irreversible. Since to maintain the new growth one must continue using the product for the rest of their life, there is no data of longterm effects. Eventhought your eyes don’t show any sign of darkening initially it may only be a matter of time.
Latisse = the Propecia (or it’s equivalent Proscar is a prostate med that men use to maintain and potentially regrow hair) equivalent for lashes.
I am using latisse, it is working nicely at five weeks (there is abig difference), but what you are not figuring is that once your lashes reach their full “Potential” the “maintenance” dose is just 2-3 times/week. Also, I am finding that I use it more slowly that estimated (I am very careful to put just one drop per eyelid, and it is not running out as fast as I would have thought. I think that if you are careful with the dosing, don’t waste it, and don’t overdo the maintenance amount, it will not be nearly as expensive as Nic thinks.
Well, it is not $120 a month because after initial 16 weeks, you can reduce to 2-3 drops a week to maintain it. There are about 80 drops a bottle so you do the math.
I have been using Latisse for about 7 weeks and really seeing good results. There is a slight darkening on my lids, but it looks like eye shadow lining my eyes, so it is not an issue for me. I have green eyes, and am carefully monitoring them for the first sign of color change. None so far. I have the same bottle of Latisse that I started with, my doctor’s office told me to expect to get at least 45 days worth per bottle. I have gotten that and based on what I assume is left in my bottle (from shaking it) I am estimating I have another 2 weeks left. And yes, maintenance will be far less expensive. I did the math and it is sooooo worth the cost for me. I had long, lucious lashes as child, until early thirties. They are coming back!!
hi! i went in to try Latisse but i can’t afford $120/month! my salon suggested using Revitalash instead and i hope to get the same results. I’ve read reviews and they are as promising as they say. also, i heard about the side effects of Latisse. really makes me think twice.
I read that you can have the same if not better results without paying $120/month. LiLash tube will last you 5 months and going to cost less that $120. Also you will have 3 month money back. Lilash has great reviews from doctors too
@Leslie
Leslie, I “had” very pretty light green eyes, which are now very dark hazel. This was after using Revitalash for 2 months. BE CAREFUL, to me having fuller, longer lashes was not worth changing my eye color!
Using it for 9 weeks now – Excellent!!! Love my new lashes. Got it from an M.D. backed site right to my door…$89/bottle…www.yourlatisse.com