Latisse®

Are your lashes thinning over time?

Not enough lashes? LATISSE® grows lashes longer, fuller and darker.

Great eyelashes don’t just happen overnight. That’s why it’s important to note that LATISSE^® solution works gradually and remarkably — with full results at week 16.

Once you begin, you must continue applying the topical solution each night and follow the directions for best results. If you stop using LATISSE^® at any time, your eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

5 steps • Once daily • 16 weeks

It’s important that you understand how to use LATISSE^® correctly. 5 application steps.

It takes 16 weeks for full results

LATISSE^® solution works gradually. While you may start seeing longer lashes after 4 weeks, you must use LATISSE^® daily for 16 weeks for full results. You should not reduce or stop daily application of LATISSE^® when you first notice results.

• Think routine: Try to incorporate LATISSE^® into your daily routine—for example, after you’ve washed your face and brushed your teeth, put on your LATISSE^®.
• Keep it handy: Store the LATISSE^® bottle near your skin care products or toothbrush so you won’t forget to apply it each night.
• Chart your progress: When you start using LATISSE^® solution, be sure to mark your calendar and take pictures throughout the weeks (0, 4, 8, 12, 16), so you can have your own before and after photos.

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers from Latisse Primary Investigators.

Does LATISSE® work?

Dr. Steve Yoelin, Ophthalmologist: For the majority of my patients, LATISSE® has worked well to grow their lashes, which mirrors what we saw in the LATISSE® clinical study. The lashes grow gradually over time with some people beginning to see longer lashes in about four weeks, with full growth at 16 weeks.

I participated as a clinical investigator in the LATISSE® clinical study, which was conducted at 16 sites across the country and included 278 people. Throughout the course of the 16-week treatment period, each participant was photographed and evaluated at 4-week intervals (week 0 to week 16) for differences in their overall lash prominence, including length, thickness and darkness. At the end of the 16-week treatment period, the results showed that LATISSE® was effective for 78% (107/137) of those participating vs. 18% (26/141) for those in the vehicle group (the vehicle was the same solution as LATISSE®, but without the active ingredient).

Specifically, patients treated with LATISSE® in the clinical study experienced a:

• 25% increase in lash length (vs. 2% for vehicle)
• 106% increase in lash thickness/fullness (vs. 12% for vehicle)
• 18% increase in lash darkness (vs. 3% for vehicle)

How does LATISSE® solution work?

Dr. Jeanine Downie, Dermatologist: We do not know exactly how LATISSE® works; however, we believe it does so by increasing the growth cycle (anagen) phase of your eyelash hair cycle. Anagen is the growth phase of all hair. We believe that it increases the length of the anagen phase and the number of hairs in this growth phase.

How is LATISSE® solution different than other lash products that don’t require a prescription?

Dr. Jeanine Downie, Dermatologist: My patients ask me this all the time. LATISSE® is the only FDA-approved product to grow lashes longer, fuller and darker for those who do not have enough lashes. It has been studied for safety and efficacy and is available only by prescription.

Why do I have to get a prescription and see a doctor to use LATISSE®?

Dr. Amir Moradi, Plastic Surgeon: LATISSE® is a prescription medication to grow the eyelashes longer, fuller and darker, indicated for people with inadequate or not enough lashes. LATISSE® needs to be prescribed by a doctor to assure the proper treatment and use.

How do I use LATISSE®?

Dr. Amir Moradi, Plastic Surgeon: LATISSE® is a treatment you apply yourself each evening to the base of the upper eyelashes. Each LATISSE® kit contains detailed instructions for proper application. You can also watch a video demonstration in the How-to-Apply section of this website.

I tell my patients to remove any makeup, clean the upper eyelids and remove their contact lenses, if applicable. Contact lenses can be placed back in the eye after 15 minutes following the application of LATISSE®. Then, using the single-use applicator brush provided in the package, one drop of LATISSE® is placed on the applicator brush and applied to the base of the upper eyelid lash margin (DO NOT APPLY in your eye or the lower lash line as excess hair growth outside the treatment area may occur). The same process is repeated using a fresh applicator brush to avoid cross contamination. Be careful not to allow the tip of the bottle or applicator to contact surrounding structures, fingers or any other unintended surface in order to avoid contamination by common bacteria known to cause infections. After applying, any excess fluid should be blotted off with a tissue. For best results, LATISSE® needs to be used once a day for 16 weeks. Using LATISSE® more than once a day will not grow your lashes faster or improve the effectiveness of the product.

What are the potential side effects? Have you seen any with your patients?

Dr. Wendy Lee, Oculoplastic Surgeon: 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 in the clinical study. 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.

If LATISSE® patients develop a new ocular condition (e.g., trauma or infection), experience a sudden decrease in visual acuity, have ocular surgery or develop any ocular reactions, particularly conjunctivitis and eyelid reactions, they should immediately seek their physician’s advice concerning the continued use of LATISSE® solution.

In my practice, most of my patients tolerate LATISSE® well. The adverse events I have seen in some of my patients, such as itchy eyes and eye redness, are consistent with those most commonly reported in the LATISSE® clinical trial. I also conducted my own clinical study at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Adverse events reported in my study were the same as those seen in the Allergan clinical trials.

Can LATISSE® harm my eyes?

Dr. Marguerite McDonald, Ophthalmologist: LATISSE® is an ophthalmic solution. If any solution gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. You do not need to rinse your eyes. LATISSE® is not an eye drop. DO NOT APPLY in your eye or to the lower lid.

How soon will I see results?

Dr. Deborah Sherman, Oculoplastic Surgeon: I tell my patients that they need to be patient when using LATISSE® as the growth is gradual over time. Some may start to notice longer lashes after about a month and many should experience full results in approximately four months. This is similar to the clinical trial results, but individual results may vary. Just like it takes some time for LATISSE® to work, if use of LATISSE® is discontinued, eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over the course of several weeks to months.

Do I really have to use LATISSE® daily?

Dr. Deborah Sherman, Oculoplastic Surgeon: Yes, LATISSE® should be applied daily to the base of the upper eyelashes. To achieve the full effect of longer, fuller and darker lashes, you should use the product daily for 16 weeks.

What if I forget to apply one night? Or a few nights?

Dr. Charles Boyd, Plastic Surgeon: If you miss an application or a few, don’t try to catch up. You don’t want to double up on your treatments. Just apply the LATISSE® treatment the next evening and restart your schedule.

Can I use LATISSE® solution if I wear contacts?

Dr. Marguerite McDonald, Ophthalmologist: Yes, but you should take them out before applying LATISSE®. Just remove your contact lenses and then wait for 15 minutes after applying LATISSE® before putting your contacts back in.

Is there anyone who should not use LATISSE®?

Dr. Wendy Lee, Oculoplastic Surgeon: LATISSE® is not appropriate for people who are allergic to bimatoprost or any other ingredient in the product. If you are under care for glaucoma, notify your ophthalmologist that you are using LATISSE®. As noted in the LATISSE® product label, people using medications for the treatment of any eye pressure problems should only use LATISSE® under close doctor care. Also, anyone with known or suspected active eye disease, or anyone who is at risk for eye disorders, should check with an eye doctor before using LATISSE®.