Latisse Improves Eyelash Growth in Controlled Study

Latisse Improves Eyelash Growth in Controlled Study

Latisse, which is the brand name for the drug bimatoprost, has been found to effectively and safely grow eyelashes in a double-blinded scientific study published in the May 2012 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The study found that the drug starts showing improved eyelash growth at week 4 of using the medication. The growth is notable by week 8 and even more substantial by week 12. The majority of subjects using bimatoprost, 78.1% of the group, found improvements in eyelash prominence, length, fullness, and darkness by week 16. Only 18.4% of subjects using the placebo found such improvements at 16 weeks.

In the safety component of the study, adverse events were tallied and subjects were given ophthalmic examinations. Bimatoprost was found to have a “very good” safety profile. The only adverse event that occurred in a statistically significant greater proportion among those who used bimatoprost was conjunctival hyperemia, also known as “red eye”. This adverse event happened in only 3.6% of subjects — five out of 137 — and none of the subjects discontinued participation in the study. Ophthalmic examination of subjects during the study revealed that there is no statistically significant change in iris pigmentation due to bimatoprost. There was also no statistically significant change in visual acuity.

Bimatoprost, which mimics a type of “messenger molecule” called a prostaglandin, was initially designed to treat glaucoma. It was known for several years that the drug’s side effect was eyelash growth, and it was approved by the Food & Drug Administration in 2008 under the brand name of Latisse. The physiological mechanism by which bimatoprost affects eyelash growth is unknown and requires further scientific study.

Latisse — which is owned by the California-based pharmaceutical company Allergan, Inc. — is also being studied as a treatment for hair loss. That study is underway, and is on-going as of the most recent update in January 2012. The study should be complete by September 2012.

Read about Latisse/Bimatoprost

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Drs. Schweiger and Bernstein Publish First Case Study Of Latisse For Eyebrow Restoration

The January 2012 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology contains an article, written by Drs. Schweiger and Bernstein, which is the first case study of eyebrow growth from the topical use of bimatoprost.

Latisse (bimatoprost) is a topical medication that is FDA-approved for eyelash growth. Some physicians have used the medication for “off-label” use, such as use with eyelashes and scalp hair. However, until recently, there had not been any published medical literature describing the off-label use.

In the case report, a 47-year-old Caucasian woman visited Bernstein Medical for an evaluation of hair loss in one of her eyebrows, also known as eyebrow hypotrichosis. The hair loss was gradual, but had become cosmetically significant, and so she became interested in treating her thinning left eyebrow.

At her evaluation, the doctor discussed treatment options with the patient, including Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and medical treatment with bimatoprost. She decided on medical treatment, and so started a four month treatment regime.

At a follow-up visit four months later, the patient reported significant thickening of her left lateral eyebrow. […] Physical examination revealed increased left eyebrow density, hair length, darker color, slight skin pigmentation, and eyelash treatment.

The conclusion of the article states:

We report one of the first cases of topical bimatoprost for successful treatment of eyebrow hypotrichosis. Studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical bimatoprost to treat eyebrow hypotrichosis.

Also noted is that if the efficacy and safety of the medication are confirmed through additional testing, it would be a viable non-surgical option for eyebrow restoration.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Eyelash Enhancement Segment On Good Morning America Features Dr. Schweiger

Dr. Scweiger on GMA - Eyelash Enhancement

From hair extensions to eyelash enhancement, our resident expert on hair loss in women is on the case. Dr. Eric Schweiger was featured in a segment on Good Morning America where he discussed the enhancement of eyelashes, which he called, “a universal sign of beauty.”

According to Dr. Schweiger, eyelash enhancement is growing in popularity. One way to enhance your lashes is through topical hair loss medication called Latisse. Here is what Dr. Schweiger said on the topic:

“Latisse is a medicine you apply to the eyelash skin, and it actually increases the growth phase of the eyelashes,” Schweiger said, referring to the prescription treatment that is the first and only FDA-approved eyelash growth product. “You get longer, fuller eyelashes.”

In recent years, Latisse has attracted media attention for its eyelash growing properties. Testing has begun for use as an eyebrow enhancer and begun testing for hair loss on the scalp.

Read more about Latisse, which is the brand name for the product. The active ingredient in the medication is called bimatoprost.

The GMA segment goes on to discuss eyelash enhancement using eyelash extensions. Watch the segment below, or visit the article on ABC News:

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Hair Cloning “Just A Question Of Time” Dr. Bernstein Tells New York Times

NYT - New Stratagems in the Quest for Hair

Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times

Dr. Bernstein is featured in Douglas Quenqua’s article in the New York Times — “New Stratagems in the Quest for Hair” — about the latest advances in hair restoration. The article mentions Dr. Bernstein’s pioneering research on hair cloning, including his studies on hair multiplication using the breakthrough biotechnology of ACell’s MatriStem^® extracellular matrix.

On hair cloning:

Dr. Robert M. Bernstein, clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University, is now one of several researchers experimenting with [ACell MatriStem].

“It’s just a question of time now” before hair cloning becomes a reality, Dr. Bernstein said. “We keep on moving back that time, but I think there’s absolutely no doubt that it’s going to be done.”

He believes hair cloning will be commercially available within 10 years. This may sound like a long time to wait, but “it’s important to remember that baldness is unlike other conditions where you can progress past the point of being helped,” Dr. Bernstein said. “Once we have a cure for hair loss, everyone will be able to benefit.”

On male pattern baldness:

“Hair has been an evolutionary sign of health and sexuality and youth, and that doesn’t change,” Dr. Bernstein said. “Shaved heads look cool, but not everyone wants one, and not everyone looks good with one.”

The article also discusses interest among hair restoration physicians in researching the use of the eyelash growth medication Latisse for hair regrowth on the scalp.

Go here to read the article at the NYT.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Latisse Drug as Hair Loss Treatment? Trials Under Way on New Formulation of Bimatoprost

Latisse, the brand name for the drug bimatoprost, is commonly used to promote eyelash growth in women who want their eyelashes to be longer, thicker, and darker, typically for cosmetic reasons. It is also used to promote growth of eyebrow hair.

In a publication on ClinicalTrials.gov titled, “Safety and Pharmacokinetics Study of New Formulation of Bimatoprost in Patients With Alopecia,” Allergan, the pharmaceutical company that produces Latisse, has announced a new study on the safety and efficacy of a new formulation of bimatoprost for use as a topical hair loss treatment for general baldness.

The study, based out of Tempe, Arizona, will test two different formulations of bimatoprost in men who suffer from moderate male pattern baldness and women who have moderate female patterned alopecia.

According to the details of the study, the test involves, “One mL dose applied evenly onto pre-specified balding area on scalp – single dose in the am followed by multiple doses daily in the am for 14 days.” The goal of the testing is to measure the results of a single dose of bimatoprost, as well as multiple doses over time. The completion date of the study is February 2011, so we will look for the results and share them with you when they are available.

Update:

The results of the study have been published and it did not result in the FDA approving Latisse for hair loss on the scalp. Latisse was found to be not nearly as effective in treating hair loss as the control group that used minoxidil 5% solution. See the results of the study on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Visit our page on Latisse/Bimatoprost for more information on the drug and its off-label use. View the publication on ClinicalTrials.gov for more specifics on the study. Read about other medical hair loss treatments on our page on medications.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

Dr. Bernstein Discusses Eyelash Enhancement On The Today Show

Dr. Robert M. Bernstein was interviewed for a segment on The Today Show on the subject of eyelash enhancement and use of the eyelash medication Latisse.

Dr. Bernstein first appears about two minutes into the clip.

View the complete video:

For more on eyelash and eyebrow restoration, visit our eyebrow transplant page or our Latisse page.

You can view this video and others on hair transplantation and hair restoration in our Hair Transplant Video section.

Posted by Robert M. Bernstein M.D.

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Eyelash Growth

Latisse Improves Eyelash Growth in Controlled Study

Drs. Schweiger and Bernstein Publish First Case Study Of Latisse For Eyebrow Restoration

Eyelash Enhancement Segment On Good Morning America Features Dr. Schweiger

Hair Cloning “Just A Question Of Time” Dr. Bernstein Tells New York Times

Latisse Drug as Hair Loss Treatment? Trials Under Way on New Formulation of Bimatoprost

Dr. Bernstein Discusses Eyelash Enhancement On The Today Show

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