What is Bimatoprost?
Bimatoprost is a physiologically active fatty acid contained in almost all human cells in small amounts. Bimatoprost influences a number of processes in our body: regulates cell growth helps the body to absorb calcium helps fat breakdown.
Since the 30s of the last century, scientists have learned to synthesize analogues of Bimatoprost and began using them in medicines.
Since 2001, Bimatoprost has been sold in the USA and Europe as a remedy for increased intraocular pressure, that is, glaucoma. It is produced by Allergan, which also produces Botox. Drops containing a Bimatoprost solution are instilled into the eyes, after which relief comes.
American ophthalmologists prescribing Bimatoprost drops to their patients suffering from glaucoma soon noticed that one of the side effects of the drug is the growth of eyelashes! According to US law, if a drug is approved and registered against one ailment, then it can be legally prescribed against another disease. In this case, against hypotrichosis - insufficient growth of hair or eyelashes. Thus, Bimatoprost has been used as a means for eyelash growth since 2002.
How Bimatoprost affects the growth of eyelashes has not been explained for sure by anyone. But in general, the principle of its impact is clear. The product penetrates into the hair sacs, where the cilia begin to grow, promotes blood supply and metabolism, which causes their growth and brings them back to life.
More enterprising Americans quickly realized that if you add Bimatoprost to conditioners for eyelash growth, their effect will repeatedly increase. The first to implement this in 2005 were the manufacturers of Age Intervention Eyelash, the company Jan Marini Skin Research. Then Bimatoprost and its analogues, prostaglandins, began to be added to their products by manufacturers RevitaLash and MD Lash Factor.
As was the case with Botox, the active ingredient of which is botulinum toxin, used to treat facial muscle cramps, later began to be used as a means to correct wrinkles, Bimatoprost decided to register as a means to improve the growth of eyelashes. The first application was submitted by Allergan and since 2008 they have been the sole owners of the right to sell eyelash growth products containing Bimatoprost. In the course of clinical studies prior to the registration of the product, called Latisse, it was proved that after 2-4 months of use, the eyelashes become 25% longer, their volume becomes twice as large, and the eyelashes become darker.
As a result of legal proceedings, competing funds RevitaLash, MD Lash Factor, Advanced Lash and others were forced to stop using Bimatoprost in their products sold on the US market.
Given the high competitiveness of the beauty products market as a whole, as well as the huge turnover of the eyelash growth and care products market, estimated at $ 4 billion per year in the United States alone, a serious battle is underway in the United States and Europe. Manufacturers of traditional remedies are fighting with manufacturers using Bimatoprost in their products. The main and only argument against Bimatoprost are possible side effects.
However, competitors often attribute the side effects that were observed when Bimatoprost was instilled into the eyes to the means containing Bimatoprost. With cosmetic use, that is, when applied to the eyelids, no serious side effects were detected. Moreover, in the USA it was decided to start selling Latisse without a doctor's prescription. This decision was preceded by the results of clinical trials and the use of Bimatoprost for cosmetic purposes for several years.
Is bimatoprost harmful?
Regular use of eyelash growth products with bimatoprost in the composition gave its results: the eyelashes grew and thickened. However, many girls noted not only an excellent result, but also complained of side effects: itching and burning, redness, as well as dry eyes and even conjunctivitis. Manufacturers took into account all these complaints and reduced the concentration of bimatoprost, added a larger amount of buffer solution so that the body does not experience allergic reactions to drugs.
Special attention should be paid to the brush, which is supplied separately in most American and Indian serums for eyelash growth. It is almost impossible to keep the brush in perfect cleanliness, and therefore, when applying the drug, not only gel gets into the eyes, but also pathogenic bacteria.
The drugs that have a built-in applicator brush, similar to eye mascara or eyeliner, are considered the safest for health and do not cause side effects.