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• Latisse Eyelash Treatment FAQ

  By Dr. Jeffrey J. Roth Sat, August 07, 2010 2:45 am MDT

  A recent article in the New York Times has raised a few questions about LATISSE®. As a board certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, I have prescribed LATISSE® to many patients. Here are some of the more common questions patients ask me before they begin LATISSE® treatment to enhance their eyelashes.

  How was LATISSE® discovered?
  LATISSE® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% was actually discovered as a beneficial side effect of LUMIGAN®, a drug used to treat glaucoma. Patients suffering from glaucoma used LUMIGAN® in eye-drop form. During treatment, they noticed significant eyelash growth. The Allergan company then created a delivery device, basically a drop on a brush, for correct application to the eyelashes. The LATISSE® application treatment is 1/20th of the eye drop treatment dose of LUMIGAN®. Allergan then ran studies on the safety and efficacy of LATISSE® for eyelash growth. The results were excellent and today LATISSE® is the only FDA approved product for eyelash growth.

  What does LATISSE® do?
  Basically, it grows and enhances your own natural eyelashes. Most patients see their eyelashes get longer, thicker, and sometimes darker. LATISSE® users may start to see some results at 8 weeks and full results can usually be seen at 12 to 16 weeks. In clinical studies after four months of treatment, lashes were 25% longer, 106% thicker, and 18% darker. Of course, each individual patient sees unique results when using LATISSE®. The growth is gradual and takes place over time. After four months of treatment, most patients then will go into “maintenance dosage” and use LATISSE® two or three times a week.

  How does LATISSE® make eyelashes grow?
  LATISSE® is believed to affect the growth phase of eyelash hair cycle in two ways: first, it increases the length of the growth phase; second, it increases the total number of hairs during the growth phase.

  What about other eyelash products and treatments?
  LATISSE® solution is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for inadequate or minimal eyelashes. It is proven to grow eyelashes longer, fuller and darker. Most of the other eyelash products on the consumer market today are conditioners, similar to hair conditioners, and they do not grow or enhance lashes.

  What are the possible LATISSE® side effects and complications of using it?
  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. Patients who apply LATISSE® on their face may experience hair growth in the treated area. If you develop any new eye condition after treatments you should immediately seek your physician’s advice concerning the continued use of LATISSE® solution.

  Are there any special warnings for LATISSE® use?
  LATISSE® solution is intended for use on the skin of the upper eyelid margins at the base of the eyelashes. Never apply LATISSE® to the lower eyelid. If you are using LUMIGAN® or 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, number of eyelash hairs, and/or direction of eyelash growth to occur between eyes. These differences, should they occur, will usually go away if you stop using LATISSE®.

  What about eye color/pigmentation changes from LATISSE®?
  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. Remember the dose on the eyelash lid is 1/20th of the dose that goes in the eye. Iris pigmentation was not reported in clinical studies with LATISSE®. As of this writing, no cases of iris pigmentation have been reported, and millions of prescriptions have been filled. The patients at risk for this occurrence are those who have hazel eyes with brown specks. The specks are what may become more brown. Allergan tells us that patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.

  Where do you get LATISSE®? Do you really need a prescription?
  The FDA has approved LATISSE® treatment, and they determined that it should be available only by prescription from a physician. Although any doctor can prescribe LATISSE®, some may be more familiar with this product’s benefits and risks than others.When making an appointment, be sure to tell the receptionist that you want to find out more about LATISSE®. Then you can ask your doctor if LATISSE® is right for you. A recent New York Times article addressed obtaining LATISSE® from a source other than a licensed physician. This is not a good idea. Product authenticity and treatment of possible problems are concerns. Further, some states, (like Nevada), require a special pharmaceutical dispensary license to legally dispense the product in the office.

  Can I use LATISSE® if I wear contact lenses?
  It’s not a problem, contact lenses need to be removed prior to application of LATISSE® and may be reinserted 15 minutes after its administration.

  How do I use LATISSE®?
  Apply one drop on a brush included with the prescription. Brush the medicine on the upper eyelid, and throw the brush away. Then place another drop on another brush. Brush the medicine on the other eyelid, and throw the brush away. Each prescription of LATISSE® has a thirty day supply. LATISSE® has a helpful video for applying the treatment on its website.

  What if I miss a dose?
  If you miss one application or can’t apply the treatment for a few days, don’t try to catch up by “doubling up” on the dosage. Just apply the LATISSE® treatment the next evening and stay on schedule.

  What if I get some in my eye?
  LATISSE® solution is an ophthalmic drug product. If any gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. The eye does not need to be rinsed or cleansed.
  If I stop using LATISSE®, what happens?If you stop using LATISSE®, your eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

  Those are the “Top Ten” LATISSE® questions that I get. If you have any other questions about LATISSE®, please feel free to give us a call at the office.

  Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
  Las Vegas Plastic Surgery
  702-450-0777

  References:

  www.latisse.com
  www.nytimes.com
  Allergan. AMFAST Meeting 2010. Los Angeles CA.

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