Latisse® (active ingredient is bimatoprost) is the one and only FDA approved treatment for eyelashes which are too short. It is the only lash growth formula which is available by prescription. The treatment involves using the Latisse® solution every night and is applied on top of the eye lashes, it is said that improved growth is seen as soon as one month, and full growth occurs in 4 months. It is believed that bimatoprost works by increasing the length of the anagen (growth) phase of the hair follicles and by increasing the number of hairs in the anagen phase. It is taken as an eye drop solution which contains 0.03 of bimatoprost.
Latisse® was discovered by Allergen, a company which has been involved in eye care for 60 years. It was initially developed as a medicated eye drop which was used to treat elevated intraocular pressure. What was noted though was that many patients noted that they were ending up with fuller, darker longer eye lashes as a welcome side effect. So Allergan starts to examine bimatoprost more closely in view to it being helpful in growing eye lashes. After a clinical trial Latisse® was approved by the FDA in December 2008.
The important findings from the trial were that bimatoprost increases the quantity of hair follicles in the anagen phase, this made the eyelashes look more full and dense. It also increased the length of the eye lashes, as well as increasing the diameter. These effects were seen in both human trials and animals studies. It was also seen that applying the solution to the eyelid margins was also successful and lead to less incidence of red eye and darkening of the iris. It should be noted though that the study was conducted on health individuals, so it may be that it work not so successfully on someone with an underlying condition. Some patients have noticed a skin discoloration.
It has also been indicated by anecdotal evidence that Latisse can help with balding. Dr. Alan. Bauman is a dermatologist and hair restoration expert and has prescribed the drug to willing participants as part of an informal study he has been conducting. He is quoted as saying "What we found is that where patients were applying Latisse, especially in areas where the hair was thinner and wispier and less pigmented, the hair grew thicker, stronger and healthier." It should be noted though that it seems that Latisse is similar to Rogaine and Propecia in that it can only work if there is a hair follicle to start with, if the hair loss has progressed to such an extent that there are no hair follicles at all then this is not going to regrow them. As of writing this Latisse is still very expensive compared to other hair loss medications coming in at up to 150 dollars a month. Allergan has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial study in August 2011 to see whether bimatoprost can be used to treat hair loss.