About Thin Lashes and Eyebrows
Thin eyelashes and eyebrows can be the result of trauma (over plucking, laser, surgery), age, certain medical conditions (hypothyroid, eczema, iron deficiency), and medication (isotretinoin, propranolol). The loss of eye lash and eyebrow hair can cause psychological impairment as the eye area is important for facial identity and facial aesthetics.
Latisse® (Bimatoprost) is a safe, well tolerated, non-invasive prescription medication approved for the treatment of thin lashes. It has also been found to help improve thin eyebrows.
It is not known how Latisse® stimulates hair growth, but it is thought to increase the number of hair follicles in the growth phase of the hair cycle. It can increase hair length, density, darkness, and thickness by increasing the size of the base of the hair shaft. Results begin at 1 month and continue to improve over 3 months.
Patients that have a lack of hair or lash growth or a reduction in the amount of hair or lashes.
Latisse® should not be used by women that are pregnant or breastfeeding. Latisse® may not benefit patients with underlying conditions that cause hair loss such as uncontrolled hypothyroidism, alopecia areata, trichotillomania, and frontal fibrosing alopecia. a life-long disease that can be very troublesome for patients. Inflammatory acne-like lesions may improve, but redness tends to be persistent. There are several treatments available that can help manage symptoms.
The most common side effects of Latisse® are itching of the skin and eyes, pigmentation of the skin or iris, redness of the skin, dry eyes, and eye irritation. This occurs in less that 4% of people.
Latisse® should be applied to the eyebrow or upper eye lash area once a day for the first 12 weeks. Once hair growth is established the frequency of use can be reduced to 3 times per week. Continued use is required to maintain the results.