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LATISSE® is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate or not enough eyelashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker.
What is it?
LATISSE® solution is a growth treatment for hypotrichosis (inadequate or not enough eyelashes). In fact, it’s the only FDA-approved treatment clinically proven to grow lashes. And it’s the only lash growth product of its kind available by prescription.
LATISSE® solution is a once-nightly treatment you apply topically to the base of your upper eyelashes, as instructed by your doctor. Then, gradually, the results come in. You may start to see more length in as little as 4 weeks and you should achieve full growth in 16 weeks. It’s not an illusion of growth. It’s real lash growth.
LATISSE® makes lash growth possible because of its active ingredient: bimatoprost. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, LATISSE® is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways: first, it increases the length of this phase, and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase.
What to expect
Great eyelashes don’t just happen overnight. That’s why it’s important to note that LATISSE® solution works gradually and remarkably — with full results at week 16. Once you begin, you must continue applying the topical solution each night and follow the directions for best results. If you stop using LATISSE® at any time, your eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.
As the treatment progresses, you’ll first begin to see changes in length. Then, gradually, you’ll notice more thickness and darkness in your lashes. If you’re satisfied with your results by week 8, don’t stop there. Stick with the treatment. After week 16, you’ll see the full effect of LATISSE® solution — and so will others. After that, you can talk to your doctor about ongoing use.
LATISSE® was created by Allergan. In 2001, Allergan developed a medicated eye drop to treat elevated intraocular pressure. Many patients using this medication also began to grow longer, fuller and darker lashes as a side effect. This led Allergan to study the medication’s active ingredient, bimatoprost, specifically for growing lashes. After a clinical trial, LATISSE® was approved by the FDA in December of 2008.
LATISSE® does have some side effects, the most common of which are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. These were reported in approximately 4% of patients.
Other less common side effects typically occur on the skin close to where LATISSE® is applied, or in the eyes. These include eyelid skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, and redness of the eyelids. Eyelid skin darkening is a result of increased melanin in the skin, making your eyelid skin look a little darker close to where the solution is applied to the skin. This is expected to reverse after several weeks to months if you decide to stop using the product.
If you’re using LATISSE® solution and you develop a new ocular condition or reaction (e.g., trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, or need to have eye surgery, be sure to talk to your doctor immediately concerning the continued use of LATISSE®.
The LATISSE® clinical study was conducted at 16 sites across the country and included 278 participants of varying ages (22 to 78). The study tested LATISSE® solution and a vehicle (or placebo), which was LATISEE® without its active ingredient. Neither patients nor Clinical Investigators knew which group received what treatment. By week 16, the results showed that 78% (107/137) of participants experienced a significant increase in overall eyelash prominence (including elements of length, fullness and darkness), compared to 18% (26/141) for the vehicle group.
Clinical trial results showed lashes were:
- 25% longer (2% for vehicle)
- 106% fuller (12% for vehicle)
- 18% darker (3% for vehicle)