General information
Bimatoprost is the active substance of a number of ophthalmologic agents (Kareprost, Bimat, Lumigan, Xlash, etc.) used to treat primary open-angle glaucoma, is now used for cosmetic purposes in the treatment of hypotricosis of eyelashes.
Pharmachologic effect
The substance bimatoprost is a structural analogue of prostaglandins. The exact mechanism of its action is unknown, but it is assumed that the growth and increase in the volume of eyelashes can occur due to an increase in the length of the hair follicle phase and the appearance of a large number of new eyelashes.
Contraindications
- Individual sensitivity to bimatoprost or other components of the drug
- Pregnancy
- Childhood
Side effects
Sometimes the use of the drug causes: itching and burning of the mucous membranes, redness of the eyelids, conjunctival hyperemia, hyperpigmentation of the skin, dry eye syndrome.
In case of accidental contact with eyes, the drug may cause: dry mucous membranes, visual disturbances, foreign body sensations, burning and pain, blepharitis, cataracts, superficial keratitis, discharge and tearing, photophobia, allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctival edema, asthenopia, irido-cyclite, hair growth, infectious complications, headaches, asthenia.
Possible reduction of intraocular pressure.
Overdose
With prolonged re-sublimation of bimatoprost, a change in the color of the iris of the eyes is possible, hypertrichosis.
Interaction with other drugs
When wearing soft contact lenses, before instillation of the drug must be removed. You can wear contact lenses only after 15 minutes.
Despite the lack of laboratory studies of drug interactions, it is necessary to take into account that the effect of drugs that suppress the central nervous system (alcohol, sedatives, barbiturates, opium derivatives, general anesthetics) is possible.
Special instructions and precautionary measures
The effect of the drug appears gradually, over a period of 2 months. It must be remembered that the effect of the use of Bimatoprost is not constant, and in case of termination of its use, it is possible to return to the previous state of the eyelashes. In addition, sometimes there are differences in the length of the new eyelashes, their thickness, color intensity and direction of growth.
If you forget to apply the drug at the time, you should not try to double the dose, the planned application of the drug should take place at the usual time the next evening.
It is not recommended to use the drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding, due to the lack of data from clinical trials. Stored at 2-25 °C.
Composition and release form
Ophthalmic drops Bimatoprost 0.03% for local use, in a plastic bottle 3 ml, equipped with an applicator.
The main active ingredient of the drug: bimatoprost - 0.03 mg / ml.
Additional components: benzalkoniy chloride; sodium chloride; dibasic sodium phosphate; citric acid; distilled water. Sodium hydroxide and / or hydrochloric acid can be added to adjust the pH. The pH level is 6.8 - 7.8.
Indications
Hypotrichosis (insufficient growth) of the eyelashes or their excessive loss.
Mode of application
The preparation is applied once for the night, on previously cleaned eyelids.
One drop of the product is applied to a sterile, horizontally located applicator and evenly distributed over the skin of the upper edge of the eyelid in the zone of the eyelash growth line, passing the applicator along the hairy edge.
The line drawn on the skin should be slightly moist, without leakage of the solution outside the area of the eyelashes. To prevent excessive eyelid moistening, excess liquid must be removed. Apply the solution on the lower eyelid is prohibited.
After a single use, the applicator must be disposed of.
In order to avoid infection, it is necessary to avoid contact of an open bottle with any surfaces.
Eyelash growth products: masthead or marketing?
Over the past few years, dozens of new serums and gels have appeared in Russia, which in record time promise to make eyelashes thick and long. Allure figured out how these tools work and why the Internet is full of scary stories about side effects.
"Hello, do you have funds for the growth of eyelashes?" - We asked, calling the usual Moscow pharmacy. "All disassembled, try to call tomorrow," - said the pharmacist. Gels, serums, conditioners and even eye drops that promise the Malvina effect, today they scatter with the speed of the sent sms. The customers were divided into two camps: some of them write enthusiastic reviews to the manufacturers, others complain about side effects.
Most of the popular drugs are made on the basis of bimatoprost. This is an artificial analogue of prostaglandin - a hormone-like substance found in our body. Bimatoprost began to be used in medicine as early as the 30s of the last century. Since 2001, it has officially been allowed to use in the United States as a medicine for increased eye pressure. At the same time, American ophthalmologists noticed a curious thing: the longer a patient used drops from pressure, the more his eyelashes became more magnificent. The trichologists picked up the baton, adapting bimatoprost for the treatment of eyelid hypotrichosis - insufficient growth of eyelashes. At that moment, the cosmetic industry woke up: in 2005, Age Intervention Eyelash eyelash conditioner was released with bimatoprost. A little later, RevitaLash and MD Lash Factor appeared. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (Food and Drug Administration) authorized the use of bimatoprost in eyelashes by Allergan, which once introduced Botox to cosmetology. For all other manufacturers, this meant only one thing: the development of new synthetic prostaglandins, which would have the same effect on eyelashes as bimatoprost. So four years later, dozens of products appeared on the market with the most diverse composition, but with a similar scheme of action.
How it works
"Unlike hair on the head, eyelashes and eyebrows grow only up to a certain length, given by nature," - says the trichologist at the Kraftway clinic, MD, Darya Tyutcheva. - This length depends on the number of cells of the ciliary papilla. Means with prostaglandins irritate the hair follicle, increase blood circulation and stimulate the cells of the ciliary papillae - due to their rapid division, the growth of eyelashes is accelerated and their length increases. However, an organism is an integral system in which everything is interconnected: by interfering with some processes, you inevitably act on others.
Side effects
By irritating the hair follicle, prostaglandins trigger inflammation in the cells. In addition to the fact that any inflammatory process is harmful in itself, it also leads to dermatitis, and sometimes to allergic conjunctivitis. "Eyes reddened and itchy, tears flow like water," - this is how most of the reviews of girls who used eyelash growth products began. "In addition to prostaglandins, a shock dose of oily extracts of plants, vitamins and preservatives, which are also added to eyelash growth agents, contributes to allergic reactions," said Anastasia Bisharova, an assistant at the Department of Dermatology, Mycology and Cosmetology, RMAPO. "Such a composition can clog the sebaceous glands in the corners of the eyes and along the edge of the eyelid."
Another side effect of prostaglandins is a decrease in intraocular pressure (as we remember, for this purpose they were originally used in medicine). The pressure in the eyeball must be constant, otherwise the metabolic processes in the retina and optic nerve are disturbed. Ophthalmologist, the chief physician of the Sphere clinic, Dr. Eric Eskin explains: "Prostaglandins improve the outflow of fluid circulating in the eye, which causes pressure in the eyeball to drop. When prescribing prostaglandin-based ophthalmic drugs, I always warn patients that they may have a burning sensation in their eyes, as well as pigmentation of the eyelids and iris - they may darken or be covered with specks. "The third of the most common side effects is the vascular grid on the eyelids. "The skin of the eyelids is the thinnest, about 0.4-0.6 mm, the vessels are located very close to its surface. In response to the main effect of prostaglandins - increased blood circulation - the capillaries begin to grow. Some girls even have to mask the vascular grid with a foundation, - says dermatologist Bisharova. "Not a single specialist will undertake to remove it with the traditional laser correction method: it is dangerous not only for the thinnest skin of the eyelids, but also for the eyes."
In addition, many girls get in addition to the long eyelashes "fluff" around the eyes. "The preparation should be applied strictly along the lash line, but since many people use it for the night and then sleep in the face with a pillow, it is smeared all over the face," says Tyutcheva. Manager Anna even had to do electrolysis around the eyes. "I bought the NeuLash air conditioner at Barneys in New York," says Anna. - Put it before bedtime. I did not feel any discomfort: there was no pain in the eyes, no redness. Two months later, the eyelashes really grew noticeably, but at the same time there appeared a rich dark down on the cheekbones and near the eyes. I was frightened, threw out the tube, removed the fluff, and a month later the eyelashes became the same as they were before using the product: long fell out slowly, all I had to do was rub my eyes. "Daria Tyutcheva believes that with the hair removal Anna was in a hurry: the down, most likely, would disappear after some time by itself. However, in April 2011, the Food and Drug Administration recognized NeuLash, which Anna used, as unsafe. It can no longer be called makeup, but is an incorrectly labeled medicine that can only be used under the supervision of a physician.
Vascular mesh on the eyelids and "fluff" around the eyes - these are just some of the complaints of girls who used eyelash growth.
Finally, there is a risk that lashes may just fall out. Here's how the user kis kis kiss described her story on the forum irecommend.ru: "Dryness appeared right away, pain in the eyes - in the evenings and in the morning. <...> But I continued to use it, I hoped it was just addictive. "The girl complains that at some point her eyelashes fell out, and when she grew back, she "turned into some kind of stick". Tyutcheva is inclined to believe that about the "sticks" a girl exaggerates: "The bending of the eyelashes depends on the shape of the hair channel, from which, in fact, they grow. If it is naturally straight, the hair grows straight - and no cosmetic can affect it. "Most likely, the user had a kis kis kiss and before applying the product the eyelashes were straight, she just never had to watch them grow back. Besides the side effects, most of the prostaglandin drugs have a cancellation effect. They are similar to hormonal drugs: you stop using it - and the state can not only return to the former, but also worsen. "If you have avoided contact dermatitis and conjunctivitis and still use the preparations for the growth of eyelashes, you should not sharply abandon them," Tyutcheva explains. - When I treat patients for hair loss on my head, I always explain to them that there are powerful growth stimulants that cannot be thrown at once. They need to gradually "go." Suppose you used a serum once a day, then apply it first every other day, then twice a week and so on - until the tube runs out. "And if you experience any side effects, first go to the doctor, and then in a society for the protection of consumer rights. "They work more efficiently and faster than state structures, and in the event of serious consequences they will help to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer and receive monetary compensation," advises Anatoly Semenov, deputy chairman of the board of the Russian Perfume and Cosmetic Association. The experts who gave comments for this article voice recommended us to find out what they think about the use of eyelash growth ... psychologists. "Many girls cling to some minor flaw - for example, short eyelashes - and blame him for all their troubles," - said psychologist Katerina Dolzhenko. "They naively think that long eyelashes will change not only their appearance, but their whole life." But is it possible to change the fate of a single stroke of eyelashes?
The effect of cancellation.
After giving up the product, long and thick eyelashes on average become "normal" again after a month, although they may fall out completely for a while.
Hyperemia
Stimulation of the vascular network leads to its proliferation. A pigment strip is visible along the line of application.
Conjunctivitis.
An allergic reaction can cause inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye.