Question: I have recently seen short magazine & news articles about a prescription medication that is supposed grow eyelashes. My eyelashes are really thin and fall out very easily; this has always been a problem. I’ve tried the eyelash extensions and they are such a pain to have put on and eventually come off. Would this stuff work for someone like me or is it only for people who have a body hair disorder?
Answer: The new product that you’ve probably read about is called Latisse. It’s a new prescription medication recently approved by the FDA for treatment of hypotrichosis. This is a condition of decreased eyelash growth. The medication, Latisse (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) has been used in the past as a product named Lumigan, which is indicated for the treatment of glaucoma.
Latisse works by increasing the length, thickness, and darkness of thin eyelashes. The clinical trial performed by the Allergan Corp. showed remarkable results within 4 weeks of the initiation of treatment. Patients who are being treated for glaucoma, (increased intraocular pressure) should obtain medical clearance before using this product; they may need to be monitored or may not be candidates for this indicated use. Latisse should be prescribed by a licensed physician that is familiar with it’s indications, contraindications, and warnings. The risks and complications should be discussed with your physician, such as iris pigmentation, lid pigmentation, and hypersensitivity, to name a few. The dose of the medication and the application of the solution are straightforward as outlined by the materials included in the prescription package.
This medication is an exciting cosmetic break though and will benefit a lot of patients who have been frustrated with thin, short, and sparse eyelashes. Physicians practicing cosmetic surgery around the country are currently being educated on this product, and many will be able to dispense it from their offices very soon. The Cosmetic Surgery Institute is thrilled be one of the first physician’s offices in the country to offer this great new product.
