Latisse: Rogaine for your Eye-Lashes?

In your mid-thirties — just as you’re beginning to fully combat the other signs of the aging process — your eye-lashes join the revolt, and begin to also deteriorate.

As you grow older, your lashes sadly tend to become thinner, and more prone to falling out. “As we age, our hair follicles weaken and become more brittle, and that includes the lashes,” says clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University, Doris Day. “Plus, [eye-lashes] typically grow more slowly than regular hair.”

When it comes to forcing lashes to grow longer, faster, Latisse, the FDA-approved eye-lash grower “is the gold standard”, says Patricia Farris, a clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Orginally used to treat glaucoma, a side-effect of bimatoprost (the main ingredient of Latisse) was the thick, long eye-lashes that suddenly grew sprouted along the lash line.

During the beginning of use, Latisse can cause eye redness and itchiness, however these effects are passing and usually not troublesome enough for the user to discontinue use. Applied almost like a liquid eye-liner, maximum results are achieved in 16-weeks, and upon discontinuation of use your eye-lashes will slowly resume to their original state.

In the meantime, make sure to always wash mascara off before going to bed. “Sleeping with mascara on will stiffen lashes and lead to breakage,” says Farris.