LATISSE® Eyelash Enhancement

LATISSE® enhances your natural eyelashes by promoting eyelash growth, resulting in longer, thicker, darker eyelashes.

LATISSE® is an innovative new FDA-approved treatment for eyelash lengthening. Available by prescription only, LATISSE® can help enhance patient eyelashes in three areas: length, thickness and darkness. For patients suffering from inadequate eyelashes (hypotrichosis), daily drops of LATISSE® can promote the growth of long and lush natural eyelashes.

As the first and only FDA approved cosmetic treatment for your lashes, LATISSE® has been proven to grow longer, fuller and darker eyelashes. By using LATISSE® once-a-day, patients will notice the cosmetic impact of this treatment gradually. During the consultation, Dr. Foster will explain the at-home process in which the solution will be applied to the base of your upper eyelashes. Call 732.914.2233 to book your appointment in our Toms River office, or 732.449.2099 for our Manasquan office.

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How does LATISSE Work?

As with many discoveries, LATISSE® was discovered by accident when scientists were researching something else. Scientists at the well-known aesthetic company Allergan were working on an eyedrop to relieve intraocular pressure in the eye for glaucoma patients. Subjects in the test found that their eyelashes grew during the study, so the company began testing the active ingredient, bimatoprost, specifically for growing eyelashes. It proved effective and the FDA approved it in December 2008. It is believed that the bimatoprost increases the anagen phase (that’s the growth phase) of the eyelashes.

But LATISSE® requires consistent, diligent application; it doesn’t work overnight. The active ingredient, bimatoprost, is the key. When you apply LATISSE® nightly on the upper lash, just like you do with eyeliner, the bimatoprost in LATISSE® stimulates the lashes to grow. The treatment works gradually, and your eyelashes will experience real growth over time, generally 12 to 16 weeks. But you must stay with it — once you start the treatment, the topical solution must be applied continuously each night until you achieve the desired results.

The Science Behind LATISSE®

Bimatoprost (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%) is the active ingredient in LATISSE® and what is responsible for lash growth possible. The exact cause of this growth is unknown, but LATISSE® is thought to affect the growth phase of eyelash hair in two distinct ways. First, LATISSE® prolongs the overall length of this growth phase, causing lashes to grow for a longer period of time. Second, Latisse® impacts the number of new eyelash hair created in this phase.

What kind of results can I expect with LATISSE?

In tests, LATISSE® was shown to be effective in 78% of the participants at the end of the 16-week test period. Specifically, patients using LATISSE® experienced a:

• 25% increase in lash length
• 106% increase in lash thickness/fullness
• 18% increase in lash darkness

When Will I See Results?

Results typically start to show in 8 weeks, with noticeable results in appearing in roughly 16 weeks.

How long will my results from LATISSE last?

Patients usually achieve their peak eyelash growth at around 10 weeks. To maintain your results over time, you can then cut your LATISSE® use to every other night. This will keep your eyelashes from becoming dormant for long periods.

What are the possible side effects with LATISSE?

LATISSE® is generally safe and effective. This had to be documented and proven through clinical trials for Allergan to gain FDA-approval of LATISSE for growing eyelashes.

The side effects associated with it are often due to sloppy application. This can create redness in the whites of the eyes. It can also make the eyes itchy and red. It can also create dryness with the person’s eyes.

In very rare instances, LATISSE® can darken the eyelids if it is applied away from the eyelashes.

Are there any special warnings associated with LATISSE use?

There are some special warnings with LATISSE:

• LATISSE® use may cause darkening of the eyelid skin, although this reverses if use is stopped. This is the result of sloppy application away from the eyelashes.
• LATISSE® use may cause increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, and this is likely to be permanent.
• LATISSE® may cause hair growth beyond the eyelashes on areas that the product frequently touches. This can be avoided by blotting away any excess solution on these other areas.

Can LATISSE usage cause the color of my eyes to change?

This is possible. Increased brown iris pigmentation has occurred when the same formulation of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution was instilled directly into the eye to treat elevated intraocular pressure/glaucoma. This was not a side effect reported in the clinical studies with LATISSE® that were used to gain FDA approval. But it was a side effect when the formula was used to treat glaucoma prior to the creation of LATISSE® as a product for eyelash growth.

Is LATISSE a replacement for mascara?

You could think of LATISSE® as a natural mascara of sorts. It stimulates the individual hair follicles that house your eyelashes to keep their hairs in the growth phase of the hair life cycle for longer periods. This makes your eyelashes longer and thicker. Once LATISSE® does its job, you may feel you no longer need mascara, or certainly not as much, as you formerly used.

Is LATISSE a replacement for mascara?

You could think of LATISSE® as a natural mascara of sorts. It stimulates the individual hair follicles that house your eyelashes to keep their hairs in the growth phase of the hair life cycle for longer periods. This makes your eyelashes longer and thicker. Once LATISSE® does its job, you may feel you no longer need mascara, or certainly not as much, as you formerly used.

Can I still use mascara when I am using LATISSE?

Yes. It’s okay to use mascara or other makeup at the same time as you use LATISSE®. You simply apply the LATISSE® first, then you allow it at least 15 minutes to dry and be fully absorbed by your skin before you apply mascara or other makeup. It’s better, however, to use it at night after you’ve removed your mascara and other makeup and cleaned your face.

What happens if I stop using LATISSE?

If you decide to completely stop applying LATISSE® to your eyelashes, they will gradually return to their former state. They’ll lose the extra thickness, length, and color provided by the medication. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or more for this to occur.

Rather than completely stopping use, patients often opt to reduce the frequency to experiment with the right mix to maintain the results they seek.