By now you’ve surely seen the ads for Latisse eyelash enhancement, but you may have questions about how the process works. Latisse is one of the many aesthetic treatments we offer at Gainseville’s Accent MD, so we thought we’d share with you how this process creates thicker, longer lashes.
What causes lash thinning?
Aging brings about thinning hair in all sorts of ways, and eyelashes are far from immune. As you age you may notice you have fewer eyelashes, and that the ones you do have are no longer as long and thick as they once were. You might also find that your eyelash color lightens. The result is that your lashes no longer create the same pleasing frame for your eyes as they once did.
This happens because areas that once produced terminal hair – hair that is thick and dark – begin to produce vellus hair – softer, finer hair that does not have the same depth of pigment as terminal hair. These changes, known as hypotrichosis , can be part of the hormone loss associated with the natural aging process, or they can result from a few separate medical conditions.
How effective is Latisse for thinning lashes?
Clinical trials showed Latisse to be effective in 78% of participants. Most who have used this treatment report that they began to see positive changes in their eyelash thickness within a few weeks.
How is it used, and what are the side effects?
Latisse is a liquid serum that is applied daily to the upper lashes, but not the lower, and it is only available by prescription.
Some reported side effects include darker pigmentation in both the eye and eyelid, as well as burning and itching in the eyes.
It is also important to note that the eyelash changes affected with this treatment are not permanent, so if you decide to discontinue using the product, your eyelashes will eventually return to their previous length and thickness.
Be sure to tell your prescribing doctor if you have any conditions of the eye. Depending on the issue, you may still be able to use Latisse, you’ll just need closer medical supervision. If you opt for another elective procedure involving the eye, such as eyelid surgery, your doctor may ask you to stop treatment for a time leading up to and following your procedure.
If you have any questions about Latisse that haven’t been answered here, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to assist you.