Up till now, there was no way to actually increase the growth of your eyelashes. The Allergan company recently introduced a new drug called Latisse, which is clinically proven to grow eye lashes longer, thicker and darker.

Lashes 25% longer,106% thicker and 18% darker were reported at the end of a 16 week study, using Latisse. Applied to the upper eyelid only, changes were noted at the 8 week mark. With these numbers Latisse sounds like a mascara advertisement!

The clinical trial consisted of 280 members. 1/2 used the drug for 16 weeks. They applied the drug to the upper eyelid only. Latisse is not recommended for use on the lower eyelids. Latisse was well tolerated by the participates.

Latisse will be sold by prescription only. It will probably not be covered by insurance plans, unless prescribed for a specific medical condition, like hypotrichosis. It is expected to cost about $120.00 for a 30 day supply, ( which includes 60 single use applicators).

3.6% of the members of the study reported eye itching. No other side effects were noted. There is some concern green and hazel eyes might become permanently darkened. The upper eyelid also might be affected by becoming darker.

Ever hear of Botox? Allergan was the company that introduced Botox to the world. It hopes to find similar success with Latisse. When developing a drug to treat glaucoma, called Lumigan, researchers noted a starling side effect, longer thicker eyelashes. The active ingredient called Bimatoprost caused eyelash growth. Allergan developed Latisse to take advantage of this effect. Some other side effects of Lumigan were permanent darkening of the iris. Eyelids were also darker. Latisse is not expected to have similar results because it uses only 5% of the concentration placed on the eyelash. Lumigan is placed directly in the eye.

Eye lash follicles last about 4 to 5 months. So when you stop using Latisse, your lash length will gradually reduce as old lashes fall out to be replaced by normal ones.

It is now possible to actually grow your eyelashes longer and thicker using this FDA approved drug! No need for eyelash extensions or false eyelashes.