By Carolynn Grimes and Robert Grant MD
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

Want to grow your own long, natural eyelashes?

The secret to long, beautiful eyelashes isn’t a secret anymore with the help of a new prescription on the market. For centuries women have always accentuated the appearance of their eyes by making their lashes look longer and thicker.

 

Dr. Robert Grant, a board certified plastic surgeon from New York says, Latisse makes it possible to get the lashes you had when you were younger or the lashes you’ve always wanted. “For the first time, we have a prescription medicine that actually grows more eyelashes,” says Grant. He says, not only will your lashes grow longer, but Latisse increases the number of lashes that you grow.Latisse is the only FDA approved drug on the market for the purpose of treating sparse eyelashes.

 

There are a few things the consumer should know before using Latisse for eyelash enhancement

1. According to Allergan, the maker of Latisse, the prescription medicine should not be used on the lower lashes. Enough of the medicine naturally gravitates to the lower lashes as your blink. If your eyelids become dry or itchy, the medicine can be used every other day. Grant says, Latisse can also be used by people who wear contact lenses.
2. Allergan recommends that the eye area be cleaned and contact lenses removed before application, then reinserted 15 minutes following the use of Latisse.
3. Most people see full results in three to four months. After your lashes are grown out to where you are happy with them, you can maintain them by using the drug every other day.

Can you  use  other eyelash products with Latisse?

To further enhance the look of your lashes, Grant says many patients will use traditional mascara or one of the more recent commercially available products like LashDip. LashDip is a waterproof chemical that bonds to your natural lashes and can last up to six weeks.

As with all medicines there can be side affects that you should be aware of before you begin using the product, so check with your doctor first. Grant says the vast majority of his patients are pleased with the results from Latisse and have seen a dramatic improvement in the length and number of their eyelashes.