Dr Bernard Hayot
Book an appointment

Eye surgery

Before / after results →The whole area →

Lipofilling

Before / after results →The whole area →

Face lift

The whole area →

Aesthetic medicine

Before / after results →The whole area →

Dr Hayot

Discover Dr Hayot →

LATISSE®, eye drops that thicken and lengthen the eyelashes

2019-12-172 min read

Written and reviewed by Dr Bernard Hayot, ophthalmologist, RPPS 10003926226.

LATISSE®, eye drops that thicken and lengthen the eyelashes

What is LATISSE®?

Latisse® is a treatment approved by the FDA since 2008, used to compensate for a lack of eyelashes and to increase lash growth, length, thickness and colour.

A glaucoma medicine

Latisse® is based on Allergan ’s Lumigan, a medicine used to treat glaucoma. The main sign of glaucoma is a rise in intraocular pressure. Lumigan was first used as eye drops, but patients reported that the side effects of the treatment included a stimulation of eyelash growth and a darkening of the lashes.

An innovative product for the lashes

LATISSE®is an innovative product that has been available since the first quarter of 2009 in the United States forlengthening the eyelashes.

Latisse® solution works in two ways to stimulate lash growth:

  • 1 – by lengthening the life of the lash, that is, its growth phase (the anagen phase),
  • 2 – by supplying the ingredients needed to stimulate lash growth during that phase.

What we do know is that, in clinical trials, most people noticed a change in their lashes after about 4 to 8 weeks.

What does the eyelash treatment involve?

The treatment is applied daily to the base of the lashes on the upper eyelid with an applicator, so that results appear gradually from 8 weeks onwards, with the final result reached at 16 weeks. If treatment is stopped, its effect can last up to 5 months, the average life of a lash. To maintain the effect, we therefore recommend continuing the treatment.

Every evening before going to bed, remove all eye make-up, take out your contact lenses and wash your face thoroughly. Once your eyelids are dry, you can apply Latisse® solution. Simply place a drop of the solution on the sterile applicator brush, then apply it to the upper eyelid in a single stroke. The product will spread to the lashes of the lower eyelid on its own, simply by closing your eyes.

The applicators supplied are sterile and are therefore single-use, for one eye only. Change the applicator for the other eye to avoid any risk of contamination from one eye to the other. The product comes in sterile single-dose units, which must not be placed in direct contact with the outside environment, the fingers or any other surface during use, in order to prevent eye infections. Each box of Latisse contains 60 disposable applicators.

Who can benefit from an eyelash treatment?

Latisse® eyelash treatment is recommended for people with hypotrichosis, that is, reduced or irregular hair growth. You can have the treatment if you wish to lengthen, thicken or darken your eyelashes. It can also be prescribed for women who have lost their lashes after chemotherapy.

There are, however, certain precautions to take before starting treatment. Avoid the treatment if you have no visible eyelashes, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or intend to be, or if you have an eye infection.

If you feel that your lashes are too short, too thin or too light, contact Dr Hayot, an ophthalmologist specialising in eye rejuvenation.

Protocols, dosages and fees are never published here: they are determined at the consultation, after examination, and provided in writing in the quotation.

This page is for information. It does not replace a consultation: every situation is judged on examination.

Request an appointment
Read more

The full text by Dr Hayot

The detailed version published on the site, kept in full. Each chapter unfolds.

What is LATISSE®?
Latisse® is a treatment approved by the FDA since 2008, used to compensate for a lack of eyelashes and to increase lash growth, length, thickness and colour.

A glaucoma medicine

Latisse® is based on Allergan 's Lumigan, a drug used to treat glaucoma of the eye. The main symptom of glaucoma is an increase in IOP (intra-ocular pressure). Lumigan was initially applied in the form of eye drops, but patients reported that the side-effects of this treatment included a stimulation of eyelash growth and a darkening of the lashes.

An innovative product for the lashes

LATISSE®is an innovative product that has been available since the first quarter of 2009 in the United States forlengthening the eyelashes. Used under prescription only, this drug called Latisse® ophthalmic solution bimatoprost a quantity determined at the consultation from Allergan, is used in the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes, a condition resulting in a scarcity or sometimes even a lack of eyelashes. Latisse® solution works in two ways to stimulate lash growth:
  • 1 - By increasing the lash's lifespan, the growth phase (anagen phase),
  • 2 - By also providing the ingredients needed to stimulate lash growth during this phase.
What we do know is that in clinical trials, most people noticed a change in their lashes in around 4 to 8 weeks. At 16 weeks, a quantity determined at the consultation of patients saw a significant increase in lash length, thickness and darkness.
What does the eyelash treatment involve?
Daily treatment is performed at the base of the eyelash on the upper eyelid with an applicator, so results are gradually visible from 8 weeks onwards, with the final result achieved by 16 weeks. The effect of the treatment can last up to 5 months (average lifespan of the eyelash) if the treatment is interrupted. To maintain the effect, we therefore recommend continuing treatment. Every evening, before going to bed, remove all make-up from around your eyes, take out your contact lenses, wash your face thoroughly, and once your eyelids are dry, you can apply Latisse® solution. Simply apply a drop of solution to the sterile applicator brush, then apply to the upper eyelid in a single stroke. The product will go down the lashes of the lower eyelid by itself, simply by closing your eyes. The applicators supplied are sterile and therefore single-use for one eye only. Change the applicator for the other eye, to avoid any risk of contamination from one eye to the other. The product is packaged in sterile single-dose units, which should not be placed in direct contact with the outside environment, fingers or any other surface during use, to prevent eye infections. Each box of Latisse comes with 60 disposable applicators.
Who can benefit from an eyelash treatment?
Latisse® eyelash treatment is recommended for people suffering from hypotrichosis, i.e. reduced development of the hair system or irregular hair growth. You can have the treatment if you wish to lengthen, thicken or darken your eyelashes. It can also be prescribed for women who have lost their eyelashes after chemotherapy. However, there are certain precautions you should take before starting treatment. Avoid the treatment if you have no visible eyelashes, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or intend to do so, or if you have an eye infection. If you find that your lashes are too short, too thin or too light, contact Dr Hayot, an ophthalmologist specialising in eye rejuvenation.