Eyes Wide Open: Get Thick, Fuller Lashes with Latisse™

Most people agree that the first thing they notice in a person is their eyes. From extravagant mascaras, lush fake lashes and extensions, women often go to great lengths to get lavish, full and long lashes. We can now add a new approach to the list: the doctor.

The FDA has recently approved the first ever prescription treatment, Latisse™, for inadequate and deficient lashes. Originally developed to help avoid vision problems caused by insufficient lashes, Latisse™ is proven to help lashes grow longer, fuller and darker. So women tired of the hassle that comes with uncomfortable extensions, a sea of ineffective mascaras and plain inconvenient fake lashes can now head to their doctor’s office for a consultation on this new miracle drug.

Developed by Allergan®, the makers of Botox® Cosmetic, Latisse™ contains years of research and a clinical trial during which patients noticed visible results in as little as four weeks, with gradual improvements after 16 weeks of regular use. The treatment, which should be available by March, is being marketed as an everyday medication; an easy application on the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes is expected to do the trick.

While it’s still not entirely clear why Latisse™ promotes growth, the answer may be in the active ingredient bimatoprost. This compound is drawn from fatty acids that bind to receptors in the eyelashes and could in turn contribute to the re-growth of hair follicles.

As all other medications that promise miracle results, Latisse™ does have minor side effects of which consumers should be aware. They include redness and itching around the eye area, dryness, and in rare instances, skin darkening where the medication is applied. All that aside, the results are still very promising and would make sought-after, thick, luscious lashes a reality for many. Next up, Allergan® will be researching additional cosmetic uses for Latisse™, including how it stimulates scalp hair and eyebrow growth.

Keep your eyes peeled as I discuss this topic more in coming weeks and months. If you’re interested in trying Latisse™ yourself, consult your doctor first.

Photo source: beaut.ie

Tags: Allergan, Botox, Cosmetic Treatments, Dr. David Schlessinger, Eyelash Extensions, Eyelashes, FDA, hairloss, Latisse, Volume Mascara

This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 4:04 pm and is filed under Cosmetic Treatments. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.