LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%
Latisse® (produced by Allergan) is an ophthalmic solution recently approved by the FDA (in December 2008) for growing eyelashes longer, fuller, and darker, and when indicated, it can also be used on the eyebrows (even though I didn’t find this information in the full prescribing information of the product). Back in 2001, Latisse® was initially developed and indicated for the treatment of ocular hypertension/glaucoma (see Lumigan®.) Ever since its approval, Allergan has sold over 1.5 million bottles of Latisse® solution.
Latisse’s results are noticeable after 16 weeks of treatment, if applied correctly on the upper eyelid skin, at the base of the eyelashes (exactly where the eyelashes start growing). It’s not intended to be applied to the lower eyelid, because the constant contact with the eye increases the risk of developing undesired side effects.
The most common side effects after using Latisse® are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness, which were reported in approximately 4% of clinical trial patients. Other less common side effects occur close to where Latisse® is applied. These include skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes and redness of the eyelids.
Although iridal pigmentation was not reported in clinical studies with Latisse® patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, which is likely to be PERMANENT (since the clinical study published by the company treated the patients for only 4 months, beware of this complication, which is IRREVERSIBLE). The lid and eyelashes can become darker as well, but this reaction seems to be reversible upon discontinuation of the product (but it will take weeks or months to go away).
Note that Latisse® stimulates hair growth in any area where it has repeated contact, so avoid applying the product to your mustache area or letting it run down through your cheeks, unless you want to be cast as the bearded woman in the next Cirque du Solei show or on the next Saturday night live episode.
If you have any kind of eye problems, such as intraocular inflammation, macular disease, etc., discuss the benefits and risks of using Latisse® with your physician. Latisse® contains benzalkonium chloride, which may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses should be removed prior to application of solution and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its administration.
Unfortunately, after the 16-week treatment period, if you stop using Latisse®, lashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.
Final note: there’s only one 4-month clinical trial done by the company that sells Latisse®. 278 individuals (Latisse group = 137, control group = 141) were included in the study, and they were subject to a 4-month period treatment with either Latisse® (Latisse group) or an inert vehicle (control group). Treatment was discontinued after 4 months in both groups. Therefore, the long-term results and side effects of Latisse® are not known yet.
References:
http://www.latisse.com/
http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/latisse_pi.pdf
http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-latisse-side-effects-even-scarier-than-we-thought/
Is the result much different than if the patient uses mascara? Besides the mascara looking more fake I guess lol, but since you have to use Latisse everyday to keep up the results it's kind of like the same thing.
ReplyDeleteLatisse costas an average of $120 a month and I believe mascara could give you the same results for a cheaper price (although mascara might look faker when compared to Latisse).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment :)