Eyelashes can seem to be the most insignificant part of a person’s facial features. However, this is far from the truth. These short hairs that grow on our eyelids actually have a very important purpose: they protect your eyes from harmful foreign objects, as well as cause you to blink to keep your eyeballs moist and healthy. But besides these functional purposes, eyelashes also add a great deal to a person’s appearance. When you look at someone with damaged or missing lashes, their appearance looks incomplete.

What Causes Unhealthy Eyelashes?

Unhealthy, thin, or sparse eyelashes are often caused by allergies to eye makeup or contact lenses. Other causes include medication, nutritional deficiencies, health conditions like hypothyroidism, environmental toxins, or overuse or rough use of cosmetic tools like brushes or eyelash curlers.

People who have thin, unhealthy eyelashes finally have a solution: Latisse. Latisse is a product used to give patients longer, stronger, and fuller-looking eyelashes. It is an eyelash enhancer and helps your lashes gain volume and length. This prescribed product will have you kissing those false eyelashes and extensions goodbye.

What Is Latisse?

Latisse is a prescription eyelash treatment that was approved by the FDA in 2008. Its active ingredient is bimatoprost, which is primarily used to treat glaucoma. Latisse gained approval for eyelash treatment by the FDA after several patients with glaucoma who were using bimatoprost showed signs of improved eyelash growth. It is a semi-permanent topical treatment that was designed to treat eyelash hypotrichosis, the condition that causes thin, sparse lashes.

How Does Latisse Work?

This treatment works by retaining your eyelashes in their growth phase for longer periods of time. It stimulates the hair cells to transition to an active growth phase from an inactive one. Like all the hair on your body, eyelashes also grow in three stages: anagen, categen, and telogen. Latisse stimulates your eyelashes to remain in the anagen stage, the active growth phase, for a longer duration, resulting in longer, thicker lashes.

Latisse, unlike false eyelashes and extensions, does not require a lot of time for application. All you have to do is apply the topical treatment over your lash line every night before you sleep.

Benefits of Latisse

Eyelash extensions and false lashes can give you longer, fuller lashes instantly, but they are temporary. You have to remove them at the end of the day. Putting them on can be a cumbersome, time-consuming task. Extensions and false lashes also do not give you a natural look. When you wear them, people can instantly identify that you have eyelash extensions or false lashes on. Latisse, on the other hand, helps your own natural eyelashes grow. It helps restore the fullness of your eyelashes, making them appear thicker, longer, and darker. And since they are your own lashes, they will not fall off or come undone during your daily activities.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Latisse?

Women and men of any age are eligible to undergo Latisse treatment. Results can be seen just four weeks after nightly application. These results will remain for as long as you continue applying Latisse. If you discontinue use, then your lashes will gradually return to their previous appearance.

Restore Those Lashes

Experienced medical professional Dr. Burke Chegar is double-board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology. Dr. Chegar offers a wide range of aesthetic solutions and will be happy to help you with eyelash issues or other cosmetic issues. Contact us to schedule your consultation.