Ophthamologists and current studies have indicated that Latisse for cosmetic uses might cause PAP - a sinking in of the eyes with long term use and loss of fat and fat cells around the eyes.
Will I have significant fat loss occur around the orbital/eye socket area, resulting in a depression? No. This myth originates with the eye drop version of Bimatoprost, which was applied directly into the eye. There has been no recorded evidence of this occurring when used in its Latisse variation.
Lash serums often use Compounds known as prostaglandin analogs to lengthen and darken your lashes. While prostaglandin analogs can enhance your lashes, they can also cause hyperpigmentation, as well as irritation, and even fat loss.
Conclusion: Bimatoprost may lead to an alteration of the eyelid with deepening of the lid sulcus and may also be responsible for an iatrogenic orbital fat atrophy. A possible mechanism of action might be the induction of apoptosis of orbital fibroblasts with a remodelling of the extracellular matrix.
The periorbital fat atrophy is most apparent with uniocular use and both doctors and patients need to be aware of this side effect before commencing treatment. The effects, however, appear to be reversible with treatment cessation.
Bringing the fullness back into the orbit can be performed with injections of hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm or with fat grafting. Restylane and Juvederm offer a temporary correction as most fillers suitable for the orbit are resorbed by the body in 6 to 9 months.
Answer: Fat grafting for peri- orbital fullness
The most common areas I try to restore volume to are the cheeks, nasolabial folds, lips and tear troughs/ peri- orbital regions. One option to restore this volume is to use tissue fillers (hyaluronic acid based such as Juvederm and Restylane are most popular).
In conclusion, using MRI, we quantitatively showed that bimatoprost lowered the orbital fat volume and reduced the enophthalmos value. The enophthalmos could be caused by the bimatoprost-induced decrease in orbital fat.
If you stop using LATISSE® at any time, your eyelashes will return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months. Set your sights on growth. As the treatment progresses, you'll first begin to see changes in length. Then, gradually, you'll notice more thickness and darkness in your lashes.
Orbital fat loss may be seen with aging (but it can also enlarge), and it may be seen after inflammatory conditions, trauma, with certain medications (including topical prostaglandin drops and steroid injections), and in some medical conditions.
It's important to note that exposure to prostaglandins doesn't kill fat cells or reduce their number. In fact, people have the same number of fat cells in their bodies their entire adult lives.
“It's possible that loss of fat around the eye may be permanent in some special cases, but for most cases it'll resolve gradually when you stop taking Latisse,” says Dr. Schwartz.
Many people have some degree of fat loss or lid skin tightening around their eyes after using Latisse for eyelash growth. Most find it unnoticeable or like the appearance, some decide to stop the medication, others keep going and have a little filler injected to get the look they want.
The deepening of the upper eyelid sulcus, lid thinning and fibrosis are unlikely to fully resolve with the discontinuation of Latisse. The effect is the permament premature aging of the eyelids.
Droopy lower eyelids are not an adverse reaction that has been reported with Latisse. Fortunately, side effects from Latisse are quite uncommon. Less than 4 percent of people experienced redness, irritation and itching of the upper eyelid which was reversible upon discontinuation.
Answer: Taking a break from Latisse
To maintain results of any hair growth promoter, be that Latisse for the lashes, minoxidil the scalp, or any drug that stimulates growth, taking a break is not recommended.
In general, a 5ml bottle can last between four and eight months. There are 112 doses in 5 milliliters. You will likely apply this daily for 16 weeks, or almost 4 months. In some cases, the medication may only need to be applied every day during the initiation phase.
Dermatologists do not recommend using Latisse on lower lashes. Applying Latisse to areas beyond the upper lash line may cause excess hair growth in unwanted areas. For best results, Latisse should only be applied to your upper lash line.
In addition to chronic irritation, Latisse has also been known to darken the eyelid skin and the iris color in people with light brown or hazel eyes, as well as potentially causing a “sunken eye” appearance by shrinking the layers of orbital fat around the eye socket.
Good candidates for eyelid rejuvenation with Latisse are:
Those with excessive upper eyelid skin with hooding.
Possible side effects. The most common side effects after using LATISSE® are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness, which were reported in approximately 4% of clinical trial patients. LATISSE® solution may cause other less common side effects which typically occur close to where LATISSE® is applied.
The most common treatment for under eye hollowness is the use of a cosmetic hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane or Juvederm to restore volume under the eyes. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body, so these fillers are generally hypoallergenic.
To plump up the skin under your eyes, you want to gently apply products that will intensely moisturize this sensitive area. Look for products that contain ultra-hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, squalene, and avocado oil.
A smooth hyaluronic acid injectable gel with built-in numbing cream refreshes and replumps the hollow under-eye area. Tear trough fillers are therefore ideal when it comes to combating the sunken look that makes our eye area more shadowy and depressed as we age.