Surgical Artistry Latisse Notes

this website address: www.surgerytoday.com/latisse-notes-2020

What is Latisse?

It is a FDA approved prescription topical medication that makes eyelashes thicker, longer, and darker.  Bimatoprost is the drug name, and Latisse is the same formulation as Lumigan which is Allergan's eyedrops for glaucoma.  Latisse however isn't used as eyedrops, it is topically applied to the upper eyelashes each night.

Scientific mechanism:

Latisse prolongs growth phase of the lashes.

How supplied:

• 2 sizes: 3ML and 5ML.  They come in white boxes with brushes.  The 5ML kit is a larger box and has a lot more brushes than the 3ML, which I like - it's more than what would be proportional.  This way the patients don't run out of brushes as easily.  We usually sell the 5ML - List price: $190, we sell for $149 for now (2020 - prices subject to change - please call our office to find out pricing).  I haven't decided when we would change the price.  The 3ML list price is $120, we sell for $120.
• Interestingly when you open the 3ML and 5ML kit, the size of the bottle is the same for both - just that the 5ML kit is filled all the way up to the top.
• The 5ML lasts about 3 months. 

What's special about Latisse?

• Bimatoprost is the only FDA approved medication for eye lash enhancement
• It is safe for the eye as it is also an eyedrop medication for glaucoma (packaged as Lumigan).
• It was introduced in 2008 with a long track record of safety - especially with it's previous use as an eye drop starting in 2001.
• Over 4 months, it makes eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker.  Usually 25% longer and double thickness (more hairs, rather than each hair being thicker).
• It is used at home as a topical medication and not an office procedure.

How to use?

• Each night before going to sleep, take out contacts, and apply one drop to brush and apply to base of upper eyelash and then throw away brush, then repeat on the other side with new brush.
• Continue this use even after 4 months as our recommended usage.  Some patients at 4 months, go to every other night.  But many of our patients report that every other night isn't as favorable as continuing the every night usage.
• Can one use it in the morning.  Yes.  But using it at night ensures that some of the Latisse applied to the upper eyelashes will drift down to the lower eyelashes because of going to sleep and closing our eyes.  Thus if a nurse is working night shift, then they would consider using it most favorably during the day before going to sleep.

When do you start to see results and when do you get maximum results?

• You start to see results after about 8 weeks (2 months) of use, but maximum results is after 4 months of use.

What to expect:

• 1st week - 10 days: some people get mild redness and mild itchiness - this means that it is working, then at the 2nd week the redness and the itchiness is gone.  Most people will power through the mild redness and itchiness.
• Maximum results is after 4 months of use.  Some don't see results till after 3 months.  But if there are eyelashes present, I've always seen Latisse work.
• Usually expect 25% longer in length, double the thickness, and darker appearance at 4 months.

Contraindications:

• There is a small chance that it can turn hazel eyes more brown which may be permanent. The risk is low.  There is no risk of blue eyes turning brown.  Latisse needs present brown pigment to make that pigment darker.  Blue eyed patients do not have brown pigment in their eyes.
• There is a chance of upper eyelid darkening which is reversible.
• Patients who have glaucoma.  Latisse itself is a glaucoma drug.  While, it may be fine to use Latisse, we will defer to eye doctors and their recommendation for these patients.
• Contact lens wearers.  There is a preservative that could potentially turn contact lenses yellow.  It's best to take the contacts out, apply Latisse, wait 10 minutes for the preservative to evaporate, then put the contacts back in.

Where to buy Latisse in Modesto

• Surgical Artistry: 4754 Dale Road, Modesto, CA 95356. 209-551-1888.
• Did you know that Dr. Calvin Lee was one of the original lecturers on Latisse when it first came out in 2009. Dr. Lee lectured throughout California and Reno giving information to Doctors and Nurses about the product when it was first launched by Allergan.
• When buying Latisse, patients will fill out a Latisse patient form and you will meet with Dr. Calvin Lee or Dr. Tammy Wu and get more details from our staff.  Buyers of Latisse become official patients of Dr. Lee or Dr. Wu.
• Another old link written by Dr. Lee when Latisse first came out - Latisse FAQ

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