Why Do You Have to Use a New Brush for Each Application on Each Eye with Latisse?

The pivotal Latisse trial used to approve the use of Bitamoprost topically for hypotrichosis utilized one applicator per eye. The FDA approved the use of this medication with this technique to evenly distribute the medication and prevent local infections through repetitive use. I usually tell my patients that once comfortable with the application technique they can use one applicator per application for both eyes.

Dear Patient from Lousville,

It is not necessary to use a separate brush for each eye. My patients usually use one brush for the whole treatment and then in addition use it on their eyebrows if necessary for lash growth there as well. If done in this way, my patients often find that the bottle lasts over a month and the brushes last during this whole time as well. Good luck with you treatment.

Sincerely Yours,

Adam J. Scheiner, M.D.

Allergan recommends using a new brush on each eyelash to prevent the spread of an infection.  It is an ultra-conservative recommendation, and most of my patients use a single brush for both eyelashes, assuming there is not sign of injection or "pink eye."  

Latisse has no antibacterial in it, so to minimize the risk of contamination and infection, they encourage you to use different brushes for each eye.  Revitalash, their competitor, has an antibacterial so the risk is less.

When the FDA approved Latisse they recommend that you use a disposable brush for each eyelid.  The reason for this is to prevent infection and contaminated Latisse product.   The product comes w/ 60 applicators for this reason.  If you were to use the same applicator for both eyes, you must not touch the sterile Latisse bottle to the used applicator. 

 

Dr. Grant Stevens