With the product’s success in helping eyelash growth, it is only logical to wonder: can you use LATISSE® for eyebrows as well?
The loss of eyelashes and eyebrows can be a big issue for some, especially if it results from a much more significant medical condition that needs fighting against.
Eyelashes and eyebrows help patients define who they are as they look at themselves in the mirror, especially when battling severe conditions.
Few products on the market have proven to enhance eyelash and eyebrow growth. The fact that LATISSE® is here to target both comes as a relief to many.
Key Takeaways
- LATISSE® is a prescription treatment approved by the FDA, made with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%.
- Though created for treating loss or lack of growth of eyelashes, LATISSE® is also proven to work effectively for eyebrow hypotrichosis.
- Patients are expected to see their lashes grow fuller, thicker, and darker after 16 weeks of regular everyday product use.
What is LATISSE®?
LATISSE® is a gel-like product aimed at helping lash growth. So far, it is the only FDA-approved product for treating inadequate lashes by prolonging the active lash growth phase.
Available only via a prescription, its effectiveness is proven by results visible after 16 weeks of regular use.
Made with bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03%, formally known as an eyedrop medication for patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension, LATISSE® now offers relief to those patients who feel self-conscious about their lashes. This came to be noted once it was realized that people who used it as an eyedrop medication experienced lash enhancement as well.
Patients using LATISSE® can expect to see their lashes grow:
- Fuller
- Longer
- Darker
Now, due to the effectiveness of the product on lashes, medical professionals have begun to explore using LATISSE® on eyebrows, as well.
The Occurrence of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis
Eyebrow hypotrichosis, also known as madarosis, is a term used for the loss or the lack of growth of eyebrow hair.
It is most common in patients suffering from a severe medical diagnosis or undergoing treatment for one (like lupus or cancer). It can also be a side-effect of various medications and a result of the natural aging process. Some reasons for hypotrichosis remain unknown, and questions about what causes eyebrow hair loss remain unanswered, making this condition even more challenging to treat.
The condition shouldn’t be taken lightly, even though it is often brushed off by society as something unimportant in the grand scheme of things. After all, eyebrows shape our faces, help us express our emotions, and affect how we perceive ourselves.
That’s why it is an issue that is as cosmetical as it is psychological and social.
Thankfully, with medical advances, it is becoming clear that some solutions used for eyelash growth work equally well when applied to eyebrows.
As is the case with LATISSE®.
LATISSE® for Eyebrow Growth
Formal experience and studies confirm that using LATISSE® for eyebrow growth is okay as long as patients comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Before reaching for LATISSE®, a patient needs to acquire a doctor’s prescription. Based on prior medical records, the history of allergies, and the expected effect, the patient can then go on to purchase the product from a licensed source.
As LATISSE® is applied close to the eyes, it is important that the client stays aware of the correct way of using the solution. If any unusual skin reactions occur, it is advisable to stop the treatment immediately.
LATISSE® Product Range
Always make sure that you are getting your products from licensed sources, like Medical Spa Rx. Never gamble with the price or quality of the product; be certain your clients are getting the best care they deserve.
That said, you can find LATISSE® products in two variants:
The difference between the two is only in the amount of the packaged product.
How is LATISSE® Used?
There is no official guidance on how to apply LATISSE® to eyebrows specifically, but the brand gives step-by-step guidance on how to use it on eyelashes.
These steps include:
- Preparation
The advice is to always start with a clean face, clean hands, and no contact lenses in the eyes. The applicator that comes with the product is for single-use only, so it should be removed from its packaging with care for it to stay sterile during the application process.
- Application
The patient should apply only a drop of the solution and then brush it over the tip of the eyelashes or the eyebrow hair. This step requires care and ensuring the product stays away from the eyes, blotting away any excess. The process should be repeated for the other eye or brow – using a fresh applicator.
For LATISSE® to remain an effective eyebrow hypotrichosis treatment, the application should be done regularly, once a day, preferably before bedtime. The patient is expected to see results at about 16 weeks of regular use.
LATISSE® Side Effects
As with all prescription treatments and medicine, it is crucial to consult a medical professional before incorporating this product into a routine. Patients who previously experienced allergies and product sensitivity should avoid using it completely.
Always acquire prescription products from reliable sources, like Medical Spa Rx. Licensed sellers will guarantee that only genuine products, handled safely, are distributed to doctors.
Some of the LATISSE® effects on eyebrows may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Itchiness
- Dryness
- Other skin reactions
- Hair growing in unwanted areas
Allergic reactions to LATISSE® can affect eyesight and lead to other complications, so the use of this product needs to be carefully monitored.
LATISSE® vs. JALUPRO®
LATISSE® is not the only product on the market that offers relief for patients with eyebrow hypotrichosis or those simply looking for eyelash enhancers for additional beautification. Brands like JALUPRO® have created products targeting loss of eyelash and eyebrow hair as well. The differences between LATISSE® and JALUPRO® ENHANCER GEL are somewhat of a personal preference or based on a recommendation from a medical professional who has the most experience using that particular product.
Price is also a factor to be taken into consideration, as well as the application process.
While LATISSE® is a prescription solution and offers perhaps stronger results, JALUPRO® can be purchased easily via licensed online sellers, and it is applied as one would apply mascara while the effects are known to show after two months of regular use.
Whatever your preference, talk to your patient and see which product would fit into their everyday routine.
Conclusion
Eyebrow hypotrichosis is a condition that undoubtedly affects patients’ quality of life. Though some of its causes are an obvious side-effect of medication or other conditions the person may be battling, a great deal of reasons for this occurrence remain a mystery.
Though LATISSE®, a brand of bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, was created to treat eyelashes, experience has proven that it works equally well in patients suffering from lack of eyebrow growth. While other brands are available on the market, LATISSE® has proven its efficiency in patients around the 16-week period, showing improvement in the strength, length, fullness, and darkness of eyebrow hair.
Consider that this is a prescription drug before all, so utmost care must be put into handling and applying the product. Make sure your patient uses a new applicator with each application and that they know they should stop the treatment immediately if they see any signs of an allergic reaction to the product.
FAQ
Does LATISSE® really work on eyebrows?
Experience and studies show that LATISSE® works on eyebrow hair.
Is minoxidil or LATISSE® better for eyebrows?
Studies show that both products are equally effective at treating the loss of eyebrow hair.
What are the side effects of LATISSE® on eyebrows?
Some of the LATISSE® side effects for eyebrows include redness, itchiness, and other mild skin reactions that last only a short while.
Is LATISSE® safe for long-term use?
LATISSE® is proving safe for long-term use, as its effects become visible at around 16 weeks of regular application. Still, precautions need to be taken to ensure no skin allergies occur in the course of the treatment.
What do dermatologists recommend for eyebrow growth?
There are numerous products, not only prescription ones, recommended by dermatologists and created especially for eyebrow hair growth.
What is the best alternative to LATISSE®?
JALUPRO® ENHANCER GEL is one alternative to LATISSE®, while numerous brands can help enhance eyebrow growth with faster or slower results.
References:
1.Carruthers J, Beer K, Carruthers A, et al. Bimatoprost 0.03% for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis. Dermatologic Surgery. 2016;42(5):608-617. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000000755
2. Riahi RR, Cohen PR. Topical Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis with Bimatoprost 0.03% Solution: Case Report and Literature Review. Cureus. Published online May 21, 2018. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.2666
3.ELIAS MJ, WEISS J, WEISS E. Bimatoprost Ophthalmic Solution 0.03% for Eyebrow Growth. Dermatologic Surgery. 2011;37(7):1057-1059. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.01908.x
