Latisse is becoming more and more popular at our dermatology practice in Knoxville. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Latisse:
Could Latisse solution cause the color of my eyes to change?
Latisse use may cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely permanent. While very infrequent, increased iris pigmentation has occurred when Latisse was administered.
Is Latisse an eye drop?
Latisse solution is applied topically, along the skin of the upper eyelashes. It is not intended for use in the eyes, but if some solution does get into your eye, you do not need to rinse it. See the full instructions in the packaging and apply as instructed by your doctor.
If I apply more Latisse, will I get faster results?
No. Latisse works gradually over the 16-week treatment period. Use of Latisse more than once a day will not increase the growth of eyelashes. Please follow the directions, as instructed by your doctor.
Since Latisse is relatively new, should I wait before using it?
Latisse received its FDA approval in December 2008, after a team of 16 experienced doctors from all over the country conducted clinical studies. Latisse is from Allergan, a specialty pharmaceutical company. Approximately 2 million bottles of Latisse have been sold.
What is Allergan?
Allergan is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, with over 60 years of eye care experience.
Could it darken my eyelids?
Skin hyperpigmentation (or skin darkening) is a less common side effect, which typically occurs close to where the solution is applied on the skin. This is due to an increase of melanin in the skin. The pigmentation is expected to increase as long as bimatoprost is administered, but has been reported to be reversible in most patients upon discontinuation of bimatoprost.
Can it harm my eyesight?
Latisse is an opthalmic solution. If any solution gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. You do not need to rinse your eyes. Latisse is not an eye drop. DO NOT APPLY in your eye or to the lower lid.
Who besides a specialist can prescribe Latisse solution?
Many different types of doctors can prescribe Latisse, including dermatologists, plastic surgeons, opthalmologists, OB/GYNs and primary care doctors. However, not all doctors may be familiar with it. You will get your best results from a physician who specializes in cosmetic medicine, like a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
How is Latisse different from over-the-counter products for lash growth?
Latisse is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadfequate or not enough lashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker.
Is latisse a replacement for mascara?
No. Latisse does not work in place of mascara. Latisse is a solution treatment for inadequate or not enough lashes and requires a prescription from a doctor. However, mascara can be used on your eyelashes in addition to Latisse.
Do I need to refill my Latisse prescription every month?
To achieve the full effect of Latisse – longer, fuller, darker lashes – you will need to use the product daily for 16 weeks. After that point, you should talk to your doctor about ongoing use.
Does Clair Danes really use Latisse?
Yes. Claire Danes is using Latisse and is happy with her results.
Are the lashes in the Before & After Latisse photos retouched?
The results you see posted in all of our Before & After galleries are real photographs of actual Latisse users without mascara. Their lashes have not been retouched or altered in any way.
What happens if I stop using Latisse?
If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.Want to know more? Here are the answers to some other common questions:
What is Latisse (bimatoprost opthalmic solution) 0.03%?
Latisse solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker.
What is hypotrichosis?
Hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.
How was Latisse discovered?
It’s a sotry of how one great product led to another. In 2001, Allergen developed a medicated eye drop used to treat ocular hypertension. Then, a side effect was discovered – patients began growing longer, fuller and darker lashes. This led Allergan to study the active ingredient in this other product, and after a clinical trial, Latisse was born, earning its FDA approval in December 2008.
How does Latisse work?
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,m it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. The exact way it works is unknown.
Is Latisse effective?
The Latisse clinical study was conducted at 16 sites across the country and included 278 participants. Throughout the course of the 16-week treatments, each participant was photographed and evaluated at 4-week intervals (week 0 to week 16) for differences in their overall lash prominence, including elements of length, thickness and fullness. At 16 weeks, the results showed that Latisse was effective for 78% (107/137) of those participating, versus 18% (26/141) for the vehicle group. Vehicle is the same as Latisse, without its active ingredient.
How soon will I see results?
Latisse users may start to see longer lashes at 4 weeks, with full growth at 16 weeks. The growth is gradual over time.
How do I apply Latisse?
Latisse solution is a once-a-day treatment you apply yourself each evening to the base of the upper eyelashes. DO NOT APPLY in your eye or to the lower lid, because excess hair growth outside the treatment area may occur. See the full instructions and apply as instructed by your doctor.
Why do the directions say to only apply Latisse solution to the base of the upper lashes?
The clinical studies of Latisse were conducted on patients who applied the product to the base of their upper lashes only. DO NOT APPLY in your eye or to the lower lid. There is the potential for hair growth to occur in areas where Latisse solution comes in repeated contact with the skin surface. It is important to apply Latisse only to the skin of the upper eyelid margin at the base of the eyelashes using the accompanying sterile applicators, and to carefully blot any excess Latisse from the eyelid margin to avoid its running onto the cheek or other skin areas.
What if I forget to apply one night? Or a few nights?
If you miss an application, or a few, don’t try to catch up. Just apply the Latisse treatment the next evening and stay on schedule.
How do I maintain my results?
To achieve the full effect of Latisse, you will need to use the product daily for 16 weeks. After that point, you can talk to your doctor about its ongoing use.
What should I do if I wear contact lenses?
Contact lens wearers can use Latisse. They need to remove their lenses before applying the solution and can reinsert their contacts 15 minutes afterwards.
Are there many Latisse users?
Yes. To date, approximately 2 million bottles of Latisse have been sold.
What are the possible side effects of Latisse?
The most common side effects after using Latisse solution are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. This was reported in approximately 4% of patients. Latisse solution may cause other less common side effects which typically occur on the skin close to where Latisse is applied, or in the eyes. These include skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes and redness of the eyelids.If you develop a new ocular condition (e.g. trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have ocular surgery, or develop any ocular reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions, you should immediately seek your physician’s advice concerning the continued use of the Latisse solution.
Are there any special warnings associated with Latisse use?
Latisse solution is intended for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. Refer to the illustration below. DO NOT APPLY to the lower eyelid. If you are using other products in the same class for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), or if you have a history of abnormal IOP, you should only use Latisse under the close supervision of your physician.Latisse use may cause darkening of the eyelid skin which may be reversible. Latisse use may also cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye which is likely to be permanent.It is possible for hair growth to occur in other areas of your skin that Latisse frequently touches. Any excess solution outside the upper eyelid margin should be blotted with a tissue or other absorbent material to reduce the chance of this from happening. It is also possible for a difference in eyelash length, thickness, fullness, pigmentation (darkness), number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth to occur between eyes (e.g. results may vary for each eye). These differences, should they occur, will usually go away if you stop using Latisse.
What should I do if I get Latisse into my eye?
Latisse solution is an opthalmic drug product. If any gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. The eye does not need to be rinsed.
Who should not use Latisse?
Do not use Latisse solution if you are allergic to one of its ingredients.
What are the ingredients in Latisse?
Active ingredient: bimatoprost. Inactive ingredients: benzalkonium chloride; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic; citric acid; purified water. Sodium Hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH. The pH during its shelf life ranges from 6.8 to 7.8.
What is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)?
This is a condition where the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. Latisse may decrease IOP. So talk to your doctor if you are using IOP-lowering medications. Concurrent administration of Latisse and certain IOP-lowering medications in ocular hypertensive patients should be closely monitored for changes in intraocular pressure.
What should I do if I experience eye redness?
Eye redness may occur immediately after use. Consult your doctor if the redness persists or you notice other symptoms as well. If you develop a new eye condition (e.g. trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have eye surgery, or develop any eye reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions, you should immediately seek your physician’s advice concerning the continued use of Latisse.
What should I do if I experience eye itching?
Eye itching may occur immediately after use. Consult your doctor if the itching persists or if you notice other symptoms as well. If you develop a new eye condition (e.g. trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have eye surgery or develop any eye reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions, you should immediately seek your physician’s advice concerning the continued use of Latisse.Learn more about Latisse by clicking on this link to my website or from Allergan.
