How Latisse® Works

Latisse® is a prescription drug used to grow eyelashes that are thicker, fuller and longer. This product is the only one approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypotrichosis, a condition characterized by a lack of hair growth.

About Hypotrichosis

Some experts believe hypotrichosis is caused by incorrect genetic development or as the symptom of a separate medical condition, such as:

• Graham-Little syndrome
• Hallerman-Streiff syndrome
• Ofuji syndrome
• Certain types of chondrodysplasia

How it Was Discovered
The discovery that Latisse® can be used to grow eyelashes was discovered when the original drug, Lumigan, was prescribed to treat ocular hyposensitive disorder. Lumigan worked by alleviating pressure in the eyes, which is essential for treating conditions like glaucoma. Lumigan had several side effects such as increased eye and eyelid pigmentation, and increased eyelash growth.

Latisse®, a more diluted version of Lumigan, was then introduced into the marketplace with the sole purpose of growing thicker, more attractive eyelashes. But, because Latisse® has the same concentration of Lumigan’s active ingredients, patients taking this prescription are at the same risk of Luimgan’s side effects: developing increased pigmentation in their eye and eyelids.

Other Side Effects

Those taking Latisse® may experience darker colored irises after several months of use, as well as itchy eyes. To date, doctors are unsure how to make eye colors return to their natural shade after Latisse® use.

Manufactured by the pharmaceutical Allergan, which has more than 60 years of experience manufacturing eye care products, Latisse® only works while you are taking it. Once you stop treatment, the attractive benefits will cease.

How Latisse® Works

The active ingredient in Latisse is bimataprost, a synthetic prostamide analog. Prostamides are a type of lipid, or fat molecule. This bimataprost works to alleviate ocular pressure by pushing a substance called aqueous humor out of your eye. This substance often gets trapped between your cornea and iris. An excessive amount of liquid can create pressure that impacts your vision.

Scientists believe that thicker, longer lashes are the result of these bimataprost, which promotes a longer growth period for eyelashes and encourages additional hairs to grow from your eyelid. This seems to be the extent of experts’ knowledge—exactly how the eyelashes grow is still being researched.

While the original Lumigan is taken in the form of daily eye drops, Latisse® is applied directly to your upper eyelashes with an applicator.

Seeing the Results

Once you have been given a prescription for Latisse®, you will apply it to your upper eyelashes once a day. You can expect to see results between eight and 16 weeks after you start treatment. It takes several months for the results to show because your new eyelashes will grow between your existing lashes, and this growth cycle takes weeks to see the outcome.

If you decide to stop using Latisse®, the effects of this prescription drug will begin to disappear over several weeks or months. Ultimately, your eyelashes will look the same as they did prior to treatment.

Latisse® provides an easier, more effective alternative to mascara and lash dye. However, not everyone should use this product. If you have broken or irritated upper eyelid skin, or are currently using another product for excessive intraocular pressure, Latisse® may not be right for you.