Originally marketed as Lumigan, Latisse began as a treatment for glaucoma patients. Lumigan users began seeing dramatic changes in the appearance of their eyelashes, so the production companies went to the Federal Drug Administration to have it approved as an eyelash extender with Latisse as its name.

As the only FDA-approved eyelash growth factor on the market, Latisse meets four lash desires for women as it increases the length, diameter, number and color of eyelashes. Generally, if you use Latisse on a nightly basis, you will start seeing results in four weeks, and other people will notice your lush lashes in eight weeks, says dermatologist Kathy Jones, owner of Kathy Jones Skincare. At four months, the product will have taken full effect.

While this product may seem too good to be true, every person who used Latisse during the clinical trials saw the same results — longer, thicker, darker and more lashes. What's more is that none of the trial participants who received a placebo saw a change in their lashes. "You never see results like that," Jones says.

Still, women might fear the possible side effects, which include darker eyelids, brown irises, and red and itchy eyes. But the most common side effect (the red, itchy eyes) only affects three to four percent of Latisse users nationally, Jones says. Because the formula for Latisse was originally used for glaucoma patients, some of the side effects listed are related more to the treatment of glaucoma than the use as an eyelash growth factor, Jones says. Latisse users only put the product on their lash line, however, instead of directly in the eye like Lumigan patients.

Jones has sold Latisse in both of her practices since the week of the product's FDA approval early this year, and in all of her patients who use Latisse, Jones has not seen any other side effects besides the red, itchy eyes. Jones experienced this side effect herself, but it wore off after a short time, she says.

One bottle of Latisse sells for $120, which provides a two-month supply for beginning users and about a four- to six-month supply for maintenance users. Beginning users should apply Latisse nightly for four months, and maintenance users should use the product two or three nights a week after that four-month period.

For more information about Latisse, contact Kathy Jones Skincare online at KathyJonesSkincare.com. Also, you can call (513) 871-8999 or (859) 426-5100.

PHOTO CREDITS
Photographer: Neysa Ruhl Photography
Model: Asheley Wessling
Hair: Kathleen McGuirk
Location: The McAlpin