How long does Latisse take to grow eyelashes?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved bimatoprost to treat glaucoma. People who used the drug often also happened to experience eyelash thickening and growth. This led the FDA to approve the drug for lengthening lashes.

As an eyelash treatment, bimatoprost 0.03% is sold under the brand name Latisse. It’s not available over the counter (OTC).

OTC eyelash treatments do not contain FDA-approved ingredients.

Latisse should have an effect on your lashes within 16 weeks, but you may experience more rapid growth. You have to keep using Latisse in order to maintain eyelash growth. 

How soon do eyelashes grow with Latisse treatment?

The company that makes Latisse reports that the treatment works within 16 weeks. This timeframe is based on data from a clinical trial submitted to the FDA in 2008. In that year, the FDA recommended the approval of Latisse for the treatment of hypotrichosis of the eyelashes.  

Hypotrichosis is a condition involving hair loss and thinning. The condition starts during childhood and gets more severe with age. One form of hypotrichosis affects all body hair, while another form affects only the scalp. 

A small 2017 study of 15 people found eyelashes got longer after less than 2 months of Latisse treatment. People who took part in the study were interested in eyelash lengthening and did not necessarily have hypotrichosis. 

Does Latisse make lashes thicker or just longer?

People use Latisse to make lashes thicker, longer, and darker. The company’s promotional information specifically highlights increased thickness or fullness.

A small 2022 study involving 16 people with alopecia areata totalis (AT) and universalis (AU) found that bimatoprost increased eyelash length and thickness but only in those who had eyelashes at the start of the study. The medication did not regrow new eyelashes. 

Who is Latisse for?

Although Latisse has FDA approval for hypotrichosis, doctors prescribe it for anyone who wants to have thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes

An older 2015 study found that using bimatoprost over 1 year helped restore eyelashes after chemotherapy.

According to the FDA prescribing information for Latisse, you should not use the medication if you have a hypersensitivity to it, but otherwise, there are no other contraindications. Side effects that may signal hypersensitivity include eye itching, eye redness, and darkening of your eyelid skin.

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How to use Latisse

Latisse is a once-per-day medication you use at night. Applying it more frequently than once daily won’t result in greater eyelash growth.

To use Latisse, follow these steps:

• Wash your face and remove all makeup.
• Remove contacts.
• Put one drop of Latisse on the disposable applicator.
• Apply Latisse to the skin of your upper eyelid at the base of your eyelashes.
• Blot excess liquid outside your eyelid with a tissue or cloth.
• Use a new applicator and repeat on the other eyelid.

Do not apply Latisse to your lower eyelid. 

You have to continue using Latisse in order to maintain eyelash growth. Once treatment stops, eyelashes go back to their previous level of growth.

Potential side effects

Fewer than 4% of people in clinical studies reported side effects from bimatoprost 0.03%. When they do occur, side effects include:

• eye redness
• itchy eyes
• darkening of the skin around your eyes
• eye irritation
• dry eye
• eyelid redness

Contact your prescribing doctor if you experience any side effects while using Latisse.

How long does bimatoprost take to work for glaucoma?

Bimatoprost 0.01% is an eye drop sold under the brand name Lumigan as a treatment for glaucoma. It is also available as a generic. For open-angle glaucoma, there is a 0.03% strength option.

After placing a drop of Lumigan, the pressure inside your eye starts to go down after 4 hours. The effects last for up to 24 hours.

Other medications for glaucoma include:

• latanoprost (Xalatan)
• travoprost (Travatan)
• tafluprost (Zioptan)
• netarsudil (Rhopressa) 
• latanoprostene bunod (Vyzulta) 
• pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine) 
• apraclonidine (Iopidine) 
• timolol (Betimol) 
• dorzolamide (Trusopt) 

These glaucoma drugs reduce pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve. You need to regularly use these medications to prevent vision loss. 

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What other medications help eyelashes grow?

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Latisse is the only eyelash growth serum approved by the FDA. 

The AAO notes that many OTC products are available to grow eyelashes. However, they may contain ingredients, like isopropyl cloprostenate, for which the safety profile is unknown. 

Summary

Latisse takes about 16 weeks to grow eyelashes. However, some people might notice results sooner.

Latisse is a prescription-only medication. It can help increase the fullness, length, and darkness of eyelashes.

Doctors can prescribe the medication to anyone who wants thicker lashes as long as they are not sensitive to bimatoprost.

Bimatoprost is also sold under the brand name Lumigen as an eye drop treatment for glaucoma. It helps reduce pressure inside the eye, which helps prevent optic nerve damage or worsening glaucoma symptoms.

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