The history of the drug Latisse began in the 1930s. Then bimatoprost began to be used to treat eye diseases. In the 2000s, the American pharmaceutical corporation Allergan (known throughout the world for Botox, Surgiderm and Juvederm fillers) offered patients drops to reduce eye pressure called Lumigan, in which the active substance was the same bimatoprost, but in a lower concentration. And then something amazing began.
History of appearance
Age leaves its mark on faces and eyes: the iris turns pale, eyelashes become thinner, shortened, and even fall out, leaving bald spots on the eyelid. But patients who used Lumigan for a long time began to grow healthy, thick, dark and long eyelashes after some time. Pharmacologists were initially discouraged by this fact, because the drops were therapeutic and at the same time had a lot of side effects.
After some time, Allergan returned to Lumigan again and adapted it to the needs of cosmetology, writing impressive instructions. Inexpensive Lumigan was often bought for cosmetic purposes instead of Latisse; as a result, the drug disappeared from public and pharmacy circulation. Today it is a very popular drug with a proven effect of eyelash growth in the following parameters:
- Eyelashes became thicker in 80% of respondents.
- 25% noted a significant increase in eyelash length.
- Noticeable thickening and darkening of hairs in 18% of cases.
Features and benefits of Latisse
Initially, the drug was used exclusively for medical purposes to treat intraocular pressure. During glaucoma therapy, patients began to pay attention to the side effects of the medicine - improvement in the quality of eyelashes. Patients noticed that the hairs in their eyes noticeably darkened, began to grow rapidly and acquired an unprecedented thickness.
This effect interested beauty experts, and they began a detailed study of the drug Latisse. Soon such an elixir appeared in the assortment of many cosmetic companies. In demand, the substance has gained enormous success and has become a favorite attribute of most women.
Latisse eyelash growth product is available in the form of a clear liquid in a bottle with a drip dispenser. Its volume is designed for 3 milliliters of the drug.
Despite the intimidating name - a medicinal product, the drug does not pose a danger to humans and has a number of advantages:
- light eyelashes become darker after several uses;
- hair thickness increases;
- hair growth increases;
- even “sleeping” eyelashes wake up;
- The drug for eyelash enlargement can be used at home;
- The application procedure takes a little time;
- A convenient bottle allows you to get the required amount of the substance.
You can judge the effectiveness of the presented product. To prevent unexpected side effects, consult a doctor before use.
Bimatoprost and prostaglandins
This main active ingredient is often used in eyelash growth serums, which have proven effectiveness.
Sometimes it is hidden under the wording “pink coral extracts/extracts,” but this is just a marketing ploy; such extracts simply do not exist.
Prostaglandins, namely bimatoprost, are compounds of fatty acids that exist in the body of every person. Their oxidation releases the structures of substances that promote some metabolic processes and inhibit others.
Bimatoprost is an artificially synthesized product similar to the natural one. However, its high concentration can have its own effects:
- medical – decreased blood pressure, eye pain and vision changes,
- cosmetic – improving the thickness and lifespan of eyelashes.
General information about the drug
The composition for lengthening and improving the appearance of eyelashes Latisse is produced by the American concern Allergan, known throughout the world for such drugs as Botox and Juvederm hyaluronic acid filler.
The decision to release the cosmetic product Latisse was made after receiving information about the side effect of the drug for the treatment of glaucoma Lumigan. It contributed not only to a decrease in eye pressure, but also to increased eyelash growth.
The main active ingredient of both drugs is a fatty acid (bimatoprost), recreated synthetically. In nature, it is present in the cells of the human body everywhere, but in small quantities.
Application
The kit includes a 3 ml bottle of 0.03% solution and 60 disposable sterile applicator brushes. The drug lasts for about 1 month of use.
The manufacturer recommends applying the product to cleansed skin of the upper eyelid along the eyelash line so as to moisten the skin, but avoid contact with the mucous membrane of the eye.
Before application, you need to remove your contact lenses, and the procedure is enough once a day (it’s more convenient to do this before bed) and only on the upper eyelid.
The instructions describe in great detail how to use the growth activator:
- Apply 1 drop of serum to a disposable brush,
- pass it over the clean eyelid of one eye,
- throw away the brush.
For the other eye, use a new applicator from the set and also discard it after one use.
The tip of the bottle should not come into contact with other non-sterile surfaces (skin, other brushes) to prevent bacteria from entering the solution.
The manufacturer was unable to fully understand and explain the effect of the drug; bimatoprost is absorbed into the blood and binds to proteins in the blood plasma; after oxidation and breakdown (absorption) of the substance, it is excreted from the body.
The content of the active substance (only 0.03%) is lower than that of medicinal eye drops, and therefore should not cause serious problems during preventive course use.
With long-term use, side effects cannot be ruled out.
Therefore, you must warn your doctor (ophthalmologist, therapist) that you are using eyelash serum with bimatoprost, especially if you are at risk.
Latisse
The effect of treatment develops gradually, in most patients up to 2 months. Patients should be warned that the effect of the drug is not permanent and a gradual return to baseline is expected after discontinuation of use of the drug. In addition, there may be differences in eyelash length, thickness, color intensity, total number of eyelashes, or uneven growth and/or change in direction of eyelash growth.
If the patient forgets to apply the drug, it is applied at the usual time the next day.
Effect on intraocular pressure (IOP)
Bimatoprost reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) when instilled directly into the conjunctival cavity of patients with elevated IOP. In clinical studies, the use of the drug was accompanied by a decrease in IOP as in patients with high IOP. as well as with its normal values, but did not reach clinically significant values. When used together with the drug and prostaglandin analogues (including bimatoprost in the form of eye drops), used to reduce IOP in patients with intraocular hypertension, the hypotensive effect may be reduced. If the patient is receiving treatment with prostaglandin analogues, consultation with the attending physician and monitoring of intraocular pressure are necessary when prescribing additional therapy with the drug.
At-risk groups
Caution should be exercised when using the drug in patients with acute inflammatory diseases of the inner membranes of the eyeball, for example, with uveitis, since the use of the drug may aggravate the course of inflammatory phenomena, in patients with aphakia, pseudophakia with rupture of the posterior capsule of the lens, or in patients with risk factors for the development of macular edema.
Iris pigmentation
Increased pigmentation of the iris is possible, especially with dark pigment; this effect may be irreversible. Increased pigmentation of the iris was observed with instillation of eye drops. Changes in pigmentation are associated, first of all, with an increase in melanin content, as well as an increase in the number of melanocytes.
The duration of the pigmentation enhancement effect is unknown. Changes in iris color during treatment may go unnoticed for a period of several months to several years. There is no information on the clinical significance of the increase in iris pigmentation in the long term. As a rule, when using the drug, brown pigmentation around the pupil spreads concentrically to the periphery of the iris, as a result of which the entire iris or individual sectors acquire a browner color. The use of the drug does not affect the accumulation of pigment on the iris of the eye (nevi and freckles). A significant increase in pigmentation of the iris is not an indication for discontinuation of the drug.
Eyelid skin pigmentation
Bimatoprost has been reported to cause darkening of the skin of the eyelids and periorbital area.
It is expected that pigmentation may increase throughout the duration of drug use, but in most patients it is reversible and gradually disappears when the drug is discontinued.
Hair growth outside the treatment area
Hair growth is possible on those areas of the skin where the drug was accidentally applied. It is important to apply the drug only to the skin of the edge of the upper eyelid along the eyelash growth line, using the supplied sterile applicator; Do not allow the drug to come into contact with your facial skin.
Prevention of microbial contamination of the drug and applicators
To reduce the risk of eye infection, it is recommended to use the drug strictly in accordance with the instructions; the tip of the dropper bottle and the applicator brush should not come into contact with any surfaces, and you should also not touch them with your fingers. It is necessary to use the supplied sterile applicator only 1 time; after use, the applicator is thrown away, since repeated use of the applicator increases the likelihood of bacterial contamination of the drug and its subsequent infection. Using a contaminated product or applicator may result in an infection. Cases of bacterial keratitis have been reported with the use of multi-dose vials of topical ophthalmic products.
Use when wearing contact lenses
The drug contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be adsorbed by soft contact lenses, causing eye irritation and discoloration of soft contact lenses. Contact lenses must be removed before using the drug and reinserted no earlier than 15 minutes later.
If any symptoms occur on the part of the visual organ (eye injury, infectious complication, etc.), if there is a sudden decrease in visual acuity, if it is necessary to undergo a planned ophthalmological operation, as well as if undesirable reactions occur, you should consult an ophthalmologist to resolve the issue about the possibility of further treatment with the drug.
The shelf life of the drug after first opening the bottle is 28 days.
Limitations and Side Effects
Allergan warns that some components of the solution may cause allergies. Serum cannot be used
- pregnant and lactating women,
- people with impaired vision, metabolism (diabetes mellitus), kidney function (nephropathy),
- hypertensive patients
- The activator should not be used by children and adolescents.
Side effects of bimatoprost are not so harmless; they occur in 4% of cases of correct use:
- redness of the eye, eyelid, mucous membrane,
- sensation of itching, dryness, increased tearfulness of the eye,
- the appearance of a dark “colored” strip in the area where the solution is applied.
If the serum gets into the eye, the unwanted effects may be more serious:
- impairment of visibility and quality of vision,
- inflammation of the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye,
- pus and watery eyes,
- the appearance of pain, sensation of a foreign body in the eye,
- cataract,
- migraine, low blood pressure,
- change in the color of the iris and the appearance of a colored ring around it,
- photophobia,
- infectious inflammation.
Given such an impressive list of possible problems and violations, drops must be used with great caution.
In case of severe eye sensitivity and vision diseases, the serum should not be used without the consent of an ophthalmologist. Who wants to be in the 4% of sad statistics?
About analogues
Today, the cost of Latisse fluctuates around 4 thousand rubles; you can purchase the product via the Internet.
At the same time, this serum has many analogues, the action of which is also based on biamtoprost (Kareprost, Karelesh). These activators differ in the company and country of origin, price, and protection against counterfeiting.
One of the brightest competitors - Careprost - has a bad reputation precisely because of numerous counterfeits. Its low price (compared to Latisse) has a magical effect on female customers, and one can only sympathize with the unlucky owners of fakes. Nobody knows what exactly they bought and how safe it is for health.
Others are willing to pay a lot of money for the opportunity to flutter their lush eyelashes beautifully and languidly. But no one gives a 100% guarantee of the same effect (length + thickness + color), just remember the official statistics. Only 25% of those participating in the study noted the length of their eyelashes, and not “eyelashes became 25% longer.”
This is an important nuance that we often miss in pursuit of advertising slogans and the beauty of the girl on the banner.
