Latisse Eyelash Enhancement Q & A With Dr. Hess

Q: What is Latisse?

A:  Bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% was initially developed and used for over 10 years 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 over 6 months.  But its safety record, as an eye drop solution, is 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?

A:  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: How is Latisse used?

A: 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.

Q: How long does Latisse take to work?

A: 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.

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: Hess Plastic Surgery has offered Latisse at an introductory price of $99/bottle.  As of January 1, 2010, due to a manufacturer’s increase, we will need to increase the price 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.