The appeal of using Latisse for hair loss is its ease and convenience, as it seems to only require one drop to the affected area once a day; minoxidil (better known as Rogaine) requires two, and Propecia requires daily pill taking.
Since Latisse helps hair grow, a number of people suffering from thinning scalp hair or hair loss have wondered if it will work on their heads. The answer is yes, in some cases. The medicine isn't yet approved by the FDA for use on the scalp, but that hasn't stopped some people from trying.
To date, it appears minoxidil and Latisse are equally effective. A small 16 week study from 2012 compared results in 27 patients who were applying Latisse to one brow and minoxidil to the other. In the minoxidil group, the eyebrow hair of 51.85% of patients (14 ⁄ 27) was evaluated to be slightly increased.
Based on these clinical trial results, BIM appears to be effective for hair regrowth in scalp alopecia. Topical application is the most appropriate method for alopecia treatment because it limits potential side effects, such as unwanted hair growth in other areas, and interactions with other drugs.
Hair Loss Medication: Minoxidil
There's no cure for male-pattern baldness, but some medications can slow it down. Minoxidil is an FDA-approved, over-the-counter treatment you apply to your scalp. It slows the rate of loss and helps some guys grow new hair. But once you stop using it, hair loss returns.
Latisse and Scalp Hair
Firstly Latisse promotes the growth of active hair follicles, but it's ineffective when used on follicles that have stopped growing hair. The skin on the scalp is thicker than the skin around the eyes, meaning that much more product would need to be applied to reach the targeted hair follicles.
Do not use LATISSE® if you are allergic to one of its ingredients. If you use/used prescription products for eye pressure problems, use LATISSE® under doctor care. May cause brown darkening of the colored part of the eye which is likely permanent. LATISSE® may cause eyelid skin darkening which may be reversible.
Injections of corticosteroids: To help your hair regrow, your dermatologist injects this medication into the bald (or thinning) areas. These injections are usually given every 4 to 8 weeks as needed, so you will need to return to your dermatologist's office for treatment.
Does Rogaine work on receding hairlines? Again, because Rogaine is only FDA approved for hair growth at the vertex on top of the scalp, it's not intended to treat receding hairlines. You may want to talk with your doctor about using it in other areas.
Currently, there is only one product proven effective for growth and thickness, which is Latisse. The FDA-approved serum is formulated with an active ingredient called bimatoprost, which not only causes existing lashes to become longer but also stimulates growth in hair follicles not currently producing lashes.
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.
Answer: Latisse forever
You may use it 3 nights a week for maintenance and darkness of the lashes. As to using Latisse indefinitely, as long as you have not experienced any of the Latisse side effects and you are using it as prescribed, then you should be able to continue using Latisse just as needed.
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.
Both formulas are effective, although Revitalash may take longer to work. In general, Revitalash is less expensive than Latisse. “Patients who have tried both may claim to have better results with one than the other,” says Dr. Hanson.
One drop is usually enough to cover both eyes. Unless you have an eye infection or irritation, you can also use 1 brush for both eyes. Just be sure to clean the brush with a little gentle dish washing liquid between uses, rinse and let it dry for sanitation purposes.
Treatment options for hair loss are limited, with the leading treatment being Minoxidil, well known as Rogaine. Latisse works because of its active ingredient, bimatoprost. While the exact mechanism is unknown, bimatoprost is thought to affect eyelashes in their growth phase.
It usually takes at least two months before the lashes begin to thicken, with full results occurring within three to four months. In order to see full results from Latisse, you must be diligent in applying it nightly. If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes will in time return to their previous thickness.
Almost everyone and anyone who wants to achieve those beautiful and long eyelashes can qualify for the treatment. With that being said, the candidate must: Be in good physical health. Be in good mental health.
Lifestyle factors could include using certain hair products, wearing your hair up too tightly, experiencing high stress levels, or not getting enough of certain vitamins and minerals in your diet. People who have immune system deficiencies could also have thinning hair.
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is approved by the FDA for female pattern hair loss. It can slow or stop it in most women and may help hair grow back. But the benefits go away when you stop using it. Corticosteroids can help regrow hair for women with alopecia areata.