For as long as I can remember, I have always admired my brother’s gorgeous long eyelashes. My own eyelashes are not exactly something to write home about: sparse, straight and short. So, when I first heard about Latisse, an FDA approved glaucoma medication which happens to increase eyelash growth, my ears definitely perked up. Then, I happened to see the commercials on TV with Brooke Shields showing off her new luscious lashes thanks to Latisse.
Although, I have yet to try Latisse myself, many have used it with success. Latisse is actually a prettier name for bimatoprost a prostaglandin-analog used for reduction of high intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. It’s manufactured and marketed by Allergan (Irvine, CA), and has been FDA approved for the use of glaucoma since 2001. Early on, in clinical trials, researchers found that this drug causes eye redness, itching, dry eye, hyperpigmentation around the eye, and voila!… It also causes eyelash growth! This curious ’side effect’ was thought to be interesting in patients using this prostaglandin eyedrop. In fact, some of these patients reported having to trim their eyelashes occasionally to prevent them from hitting their eyelashes. The rest of the story is history and Latisse was FDA approved for treatment of hypotrichosis (or lack of eyelashes) in December 2008.
So basically, Latisse does cause eyelash growth, but also results in fuller, darker lashes. It does have side effects, like those mentioned above and brown iris pigmentation especially in people with lighter colored eyes. It is also quite costly with a price tag of $90-100+ dollars for a 1 month supply which notably can only be purchased from a doctor’s office. So, ladies, Latisse will buy you the luscious lashes that you have always dreamed of, but once you stop using it, bye bye pretty lashes!