Rio Grande Dermatology offers eyelash drugs for $99

Sep 24 2009

Many women desire to have thicker and longer eyelashes. Previously this could only be accomplished with the use of fake lashes. However, due to the discovery of a desirable side effect of a glaucoma drug, Latisse was born. Rio Grande Dermatology, providers of comprehensive dermatology treatments for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, is proud to offer this highly anticipated "eyelash drug" for an introductory price of $99 dollars.

Latisse eyelash treatments produce dramatically longer lashes, with visible results after 4 weeks and noticeably full effects after just 16 weeks. The prescription treatment, containing bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, makes eyelashes longer, thicker, and darker through a simple nightly topical application. Patients can apply it with a disposable applicator, similar to liquid eyeliner.

Originally sold as Lumigan, Latisse began as a glaucoma drug. In 2001, bimatoprost was approved as a drug to lower intraocular pressure in people with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. When doctors then began prescribing the drug for glaucoma treatment, they noticed a desirable side effect: increased eyelash growth. Patients would return with thicker, darker and longer eyelashes in as little as 6 to 8 weeks. So the drug maker repackaged Lumigan as Latisse, an eyelash grower, and got approval from the FDA to sell it. Lumigan drops are applied to the eyes, and Latisse is dabbed along the lash line on the upper eyelids. In December 2008, the FDA approved Latisse for the treatment of hypotrichosis, a medical term for inadequate or sparse eyelashes.

Women spend hundreds of dollars a year on mascara, eyelash curlers and other eyelash treatments in order to look more youthful and beautiful. Because of improper makeup removal or aggressive eyelash curlers, mascara and eyelash curlers can cause eyelashes to become dry and fall out. Patients no longer need to turn to false eyelashes because they can now grow their own longer, stronger, thicker, darker eyelashes. Latisse is best for patients who are unhappy with their eyelashes, are tired of flaking mascara and dealing with waterproof mascara that's difficult to remove. Of course, patients can still use mascara to complement their new, lengthened lashes. However, the "mascara effect" will now be evident all day long even with out mascara.