Longer Thicker Eyelashes

Latisse is a brand of bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution marketed by Allergan.  Originally intended for usage in patients who had a problem of increased pressure in the eyeballs called open angle glaucoma (which would have led to blindness if left untreated), it was noticed that the patients, while doing well on this eyedrop (which was marketed under the brand name Lumigan), tended to develop longer thicker eyelashes as well.

Longer, thicker eyelashes are one of the hot items on a woman’s list of weapons to set men’s hearts racing, particularly if fluttered seductively.  This discovery of this welcome side effect of bimatoprost led Allergan to market the same item as Latisse. 

The growth of longer, thicker eyelashes are not necessarily due to Latisse alone.  There are lucky women who are born with this trait, and do not need anything to further develop this asset.  It is also claimed that regular application of castor oil or virgin olive oil works wonders.  A more common way is to utilize mascara or use false eyelashes or eyelash extensions.  All these technique have the common problem of taking time to apply, and the results still do not feel as if they are your own, natural eyelashes.

What is Latisse?
Latisse is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% indicated for the growth of longer, thicker and darker eyelashes in those persons who have inadequate or insufficient eyelashes.

How much does a bottle of Latisse cost?
About $120.  Do not trust imitations.  Buy only with a doctor’s prescription, and from recognised pharmacies.  Remember you are buying something you are going to apply on your eyelids, and the chances of the product getting into your eyes will be pretty high

How long does a bottle of Latisse last?
Based on a daily application on both eyes, each bottle should last a month

How do I apply Latisse?
Latisse is applied once a day in the evening to the base of the lashes of the upper eyelids.  For further instructions see here.

Does Latisse really work or is it all hype?
Based on studies, it is shown that the eyelashes typically grew 25 percent longer, 106 percent thicker and 18 percent darker

How does LATISSE™ work?
The active ingredient in LATISSE™ is bimatoprost. Research suggests that bimatoprost acts by increasing the duration of the growth or anagen phase of the hairs, as well as the percentage of hairs in this growth phase. Lashes will grow longer, thicker and darker on bimatoprost.

What if I wear contact lenses?  Can I still use Latisse?
Yes, but you should remove your lenses prior to using Latisse, and reinsert them only 15 minutes after the application of Latisse.

Can everybody use Latisse?
Almost everybody would be expected to want to use Latisse to improve their appearance, but it may not be right for everybody.  Persons who have active eye problems such as infections, broken or irritated skin on the eyes are advised to avoid usage of this product till the eye heals.

What if I stop using Latisse?
Your eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

Longer Lashes

Latisse is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%. It works by stimulating the growth of hair follicles and maintaining the hair in its growth phase for a longer time, resulting in thicker, longer lashes. These effects remain as long as the Latisse solution is applied.

Thus in calculating the cost of Latisse treatment one will have to take into account that treatment will be long term. The cost of Latisse, which is a prescription drug, is estimated to be at about $120 for a bottle that lasts 30days.

Rather expensive a treatment. However the cost of alternatives such as eye lash extensions can vary from $250 to $600, and with replacement every 8 weeks or so, so the costs can add up to quite a bit. Also, if you consider the fact that surgery for eyelash transplant will cost much more (about $3,000 per eye), or that the ultimate goal of longer eyelashes is to look good, both for yourself and for your man, would the cost then be that important? It is said that for a woman to look beautiful, costs are immaterial. This is one situation where the Latisse cost is not important.

Longer Eyelashes 1

Longer Eyelashes 2

Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin receptor stimulant whose effect is to stimulate the growth of hair follicles and lengthen the growth phase of the stimulated hair.  The end result which shows within 8 weeks is thicker, longer lashes.  Application of the Latisse solution is via a sterile disposable applicator, once nightly to the upper eyelid margin at the base of the lashes.

Side effects are uncommon, but need to be mentioned. 
The most common side effect is eye irritation or itchiness due to the solution getting into the eye. 
Sometimes some eye redness is noted because of the same reason. 
Some pigmentation or darkening of the skin near the lid margin may be noted, which is probably reversible.
Some pigmentation of the iris may occur, which may be permanent.
Eye dryness may occur.

Below is a collection of photos of longer lashes obtained from various sources.  Some of these longer lashes are obtained by the clever usage of mascara.  Others are due to clever applications of artificial lashes, and yet others are due to eyelash extensions.  The latest fad: Grow eyelashes.  Growing natural eyelashes is set to be a major fad in this age of back-to-nature it’s-mine-all-my-own living.

Longer Lashes

Longer lashes are one of the more desired assets of most women who prize the attention of men.  There is undoubtedly something very seductive about a sexy woman with attractive thick, longer lashes who may flutter them at a man that she wants to attract.  However it is unfortunate that not all women are blessed with long eyelashes.  In fact, most women have shorter, sparse, thin or no eyelashes at all. 

So how does one get longer lashes?

The answer up to recently is, of course, to use false lashes.  Or get eyelash extensions.  Or use mascara.  All of which smack of one thing:  fake.

The latest answer is one which is set to take the world by storm.  Grow lashes of your own. 

Grow eyelashes. 

Capitalising on the discovery that users of an eyedrop for the treatment of glaucoma tended to grow thicker, longer lashes, Allergan formulated a 0.03% solution of bimatoprost and named it Latisse.  FDA approval was obtained for its usage for growing lashes in end 2008.  All it takes is 8 weeks of consistent once per night application of this preparation to the upper eyelid margin to get beautiful, thicker, longer lashes that you can proudly call your own.

Longer Lashes With Latisse 1

Latisse is a preparation of bimatoprost 0.03% ophthalmic solution in a 3ml bottle designed for usage on the eyelids to grow eyelashes.  Latisse has been shown in scientific studies to grow longer lashes and increase the numbers of lashes by virtue of its effect on the eyelash follicles. Regular usage of Latisse causes the lashes to grow longer, thicker and darker.

Latisse is designed to be applied using a special sterile applicator.  One drop of Latisse is placed on the applicator.  The drop is to be applied to the upper eyelid margin at the base of the lashes.  Any excess is to be blotted off.  One drop is used per night per upper eyelid.  It is not recommended to use Latisse in the lower eyelid.  Instillation of Latisse drops into the eyes will cause pigmentary changes in the iris.  Contact lenses should be removed before application of Latisse as the bimatoprost solution contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative which will be absorbed by the soft contact lenses.

It is noted that growth of new eyelashes will start as early as 8 weeks from onset of treatment.  However, the new eyelashes will drop off after several weeks to months once Latisse is discontinued.
 
The potential for hair growth in other areas on repeated contact with Latisse solution is possible.  It is thus important that there be no prolonged contact with the solution by the prompt wiping off of any excess.

Longer Lashes With Latisse 2 - Applying Latisse