Latisse is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication for people with difficulties growing eyelashes or lash loss due to an underlying health condition or stress.
Latisse is the only medication that the FDA has approved to grow eyelashes.
Latisse is a prescription-only medication. This is because Latisse can cause several side effects, and it may not be safe for everyone to use.
Latisse is a branded medication that improves eyelash growth in most people. Still, it may not work if you have certain illnesses that cause eyelash loss or thinning, like alopecia, or receive chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
A specialist can recommend whether Latisse can help you with your condition.
This medication originally only treated glaucoma by lowering the blood pressure in the eye. Still, bimatoprost can also provide cosmetic benefits when applied to the upper lash line instead of directly in the eye.
Latisse is generally effective, and it works by enhancing the length of the time your eyelashes grow and increasing the number of lashes your body produces.
Latisse increases the life cycle of your eyelashes, encouraging them to grow longer, thicker, and darker.
When you start using Latisse, you should notice an improvement in your lashes in less than 2 months of treatment. But the change that this treatment provides isn’t usually permanent.
When you stop using Latisse, your lashes will slowly return to their initial appearance.
An exception to this would be if you have an underlying condition that improves during the time of using Latisse, such as chronic stress or a thyroid condition.
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Bimatoprost, the active ingredient of Latisse, can lower the eye’s pressure and may cause damage to the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision loss.
Before prescribing Latisse, doctors have to determine whether Latisse is safe for you to use, and you may need to attend regular check-ups to determine your eye health.
Latisse can also cause several side effects and irritation, which may cause discomfort after application.
If you’re taking other medications to treat glaucoma or other eye-related health conditions, Latisse may interact with them.
Make sure the doctor is aware of any medication you may be currently taking.
How to apply Latisse
If you wear contact lenses, you should make sure to remove them before you apply Latisse and that you wait for at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.
When you apply Latisse, you should try to avoid direct contact with your eye. You should apply Latisse once nightly unless the doctor has given you different recommendations.
To apply Latisse you can use the disposable sterile applicator that comes in the package of the medication and spread the drug evenly along the skin edge of your upper eyelid at the base of your lashes.
When you apply the correct amount of medication, the upper margin of your eyelid should feel moist without runoff.
If you notice any runoff from the upper lid margin, you should absorb it with a tissue or clean cloth. You can then dispose of the applicator and repeat this on the other eye using a new one.
You don’t need to apply any medication to your lower eyelash line. When you blink and close your eyes, the medication will spread from the upper eyelid to the lower one from the same application.
Possible side effects
Latisse can cause several side effects, including:
eye irritation
changes to the pigmentation of the iris
development of permanent brown spots in the iris
temporary changes to the pigmentation of the eyelids
While Latisse is the only FDA-approved medication for eyelash growth, several cosmetic serums are available in most stores that may help enhance the thickness and length of your lashes.
If Latisse isn’t suitable for you, doctors may prescribe you an alternative drug used as an off-label medication to help you with the growth of your lashes.
This may include medications such as latanoprost (Xalatan, Monopost) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), which are available in forms that you can apply topically, like Latisse.
If your eyelash loss is due to nutrient or vitamin deficiencies, eating a balanced diet that ensures you meet all your nutritional goals may help improve the growth and general look of your lashes.
Summary
Latisse is the only FDA-approved medication for eyelash growth. Latisse is effective if you experience eyelash loss due to stress, underlying illness, or who have difficulties growing lashes.
Still, Latisse may not work for people with certain health conditions.
Latisse is typically safe for use, but it may cause several side effects, including eye irritation and changes in the pigmentation of the iris and skin in the eyelids.
Latisse can also make changes in the intraocular pressure, so it may not be safe for everyone to use.
Doctors can advise whether Latisse is suitable for you and recommend alternative options.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Satyanarayana SD, et al. (2023). Ocular delivery of bimatoprost-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for effective management of glaucoma. https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/16/7/1001
