Latisse

Latisse 

Latisse is a serum that can help stimulate the growth of lashes. When applied to the lashline, it encourages lashes to grow fuller, darker, and longer. 

Many women (and men) opt to use Latisse because they don’t want to bother with the annoyance of mascara or eyeliner to fake darker and longer lashes. This product can cut down on morning prep time and even save you money by rendering other eyelash products obsolete. 

Why We Like Latisse

Let’s be honest: we could all use some prep-time shortcuts. And short of tattooing eyeliner on our eyelids, we’d try just about anything we can think of to get out the door a little quicker each morning.

Latisse encourages the growth of natural lashes. That’s right, no more stick-on lashes for formal events or swiping on clumpy, spidery mascara anymore each morning. 

This product comes in a bottle that fits in any size purse, handbag, or backpack. It comes with an easy-to-use applicator. Just apply once a day (in the morning or evening), and you can expect to see longer, darker lashes in a few weeks to two months.

Some of our favorite benefits of using Latisse include:

• It’s easy to apply
• Only need to apply Latisse once a day
• Serum begins working in just a few days to a few weeks
• Encourages natural lash growth
• Treats hypotrichosis, lost lashes, and sparse lashes
• Few side effects

Causes of Thinning Lashes

If your lashes are thinning, you’re not alone. Thinning lashes are a common women’s health issue that thousands of women report experiencing every year. The causes are wide-ranging and severity varies from person to person. Many women start losing their eyelashes and/or hair during or after menopause. Some simply lose them because they fail to remove eye makeup nightly or use harsh cleansers or beauty products.

Others suffer from hypotrichosis, a condition that prevents lashes from growing. This condition is often genetic. Some patients suffer from anxiety and compulsively pull their lashes out. 

In clinical studies, Latisse has been shown to help stimulate eyelash growth in both men and women. It can also encourage hair growth in patients that have sparse lashes and/or simply want longer lashes.

Some of the most common reasons for thinning lashes also include:

• Age
• Medication side effect
• Eye infections
• Thyroid imbalances
• Hormone imbalances
• Poor hygiene 
• Hypotrichosis

It doesn’t matter why your lashes are sparse. In most cases, Latisse should be able to help your lashes grow back longer and darker than they were previously. Even if you’ve never had full lashes, Latisse can probably help reverse the effects of hypotrichosis. 

How Latisse Works

Latisse is the brand name for bimatoprost solution 0.03%. It helps encourage both the stimulation of lash growth and prevents lashes from falling out prematurely. People who use Latisse report growing thicker, longer, and darker lashes.

This product has been tested in clinical trials and was shown effective in the growth and regrowth of hair.

Researchers don’t 100% understand how or why Latisse works (yes, we’re super frustrated about that too!). But we know that it does work.

In clinical trials, 78% of patients saw thicker, darker hair growth after using Latisse. Did we mention that this was a randomized, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, parallel-group study? 

During this study, 137 people applied Latisse every night.

Lashes didn’t just grow, either. Patients saw lashes grow 106% fuller, 25% longer, and 18% darker. Latisse’s before-and-after photos are pretty impressive.

Most of the women in the trial were over the age of 35, so it’s approved for mature patients, too. 

It is important to note that Latisse isn’t for everyone. Some patients didn’t see substantial hair growth at all (though, those patients were few and far between). Others experienced slightly uncomfortable side effects.

It’s never a bad idea to chat with your doctor about possible side effects and the efficacy of a product before getting a prescription.

We should also mention that it’s important to apply Latisse to your upper eyelids only and never your lower eyelids.

How Long Does It Take for Latisse to Work?

We love Latisse because it’s a tried-and-true product that has helped thousands of women get the lashes they’ve always wanted. Yet, good things do come to those who wait.

If you’re looking for a quick lash fix, Latisse might not be for you. This product works well over time — not overnight. It’s meant to be a product that offers gradual results. While it’s tempting to want to wow your friends and coworkers with your new lashes, it might take a few months before anyone notices. 

Latisse performed a study in 2001; at the end of 16 weeks, patients’ eyelashes grew (on average) approximately 1.4 mm and had become noticeably fuller and thicker.  

Latisse can take several weeks to up to several months to show full results. The product prolongs the lash growth phase, meaning that it encourages lashes to grow — and not to fall out too soon (a common reason for thinning and sparse lashes). 

If you don’t see any change after two months, talk to your doctor about other options. You might want to chat with your doctor about the proper application of Latisse, as using the product incorrectly is one of the most common reasons the product fails. 

Is Latisse Safe?

Latisse has been approved by the FDA and is safe for most patients. Anyone using LUMIGAN® (or other prostaglandin analogs) should tell their doctor during a Latisse consultation. 

While this product has been deemed safe by the FDA, it’s important to understand possible side effects. Some patients are more susceptible to certain side effects, so you should always tell your doctor if you:

• Suffer from dry eyes
• Wear contact lenses
• Experience eye pressure
• Use medicated eye drops

Common Side Effects

Like most prescription medications, Latisse comes with a few side effects. The most common side effects of Latisse include:

• ​Brown skin pigmentation
• Eye redness
• Eyelid skin darkening
• Eye irritation
• Increased brown pigmentation in the colored part of the eye
• Itchy eyes
• Hair growth around the eyes 

Many of Latisse’s customers experience some form of brown skin pigmentation or darkening of the skin on the eyelids. This is natural and is not permanent.

Some patients also experience increased brown pigmentation in the colored part of the eyes. This pigmentation is permanent. If you’re concerned that your eyes may change color, we don’t recommend using Latisse.

You should only use Latisse as directed by your doctor. One of the most common causes of side effects is the improper use of this product. Don’t ever use Latisse on your lower lids — only on your upper ones. If you experience any allergic reactions, contact your doctor, and stop using Latisse.

Is Latisse Worth It?

When it comes to lash-growth serums, Latisse definitely isn’t the only kid on the block. While this serum is the only prescription-strength serum approved for lash growth, it isn’t the only one on the market.

There are plenty of over-the-counter eye serums to choose from. The downside to these serums is they aren’t as strong as Latisse. Since they’re also not prescription-strength, their efficacy isn’t tested by the FDA (or any other organization for that matter). 

The upside to other serums is that they don’t generally come with side effects. Though, over-the-counter manufacturers aren’t required to list side effects on their product labels, making it difficult to know if a product does or doesn’t have any known side effects. 

If you’re looking for longer lashes (or any lashes at all), we think Latisse is totally worth the hassle of getting a prescription. Though, the hassle of getting a prescription isn’t such a hassle if you opt for getting one through your online doctor. 

It’s important to note that Latisse doesn’t thicken lashes. 

How Much Does Latisse Cost?

Latisse usually costs around $120 for a one-month supply, though the costs may vary through different providers. 

Companies like Rory offer Latisse for only $99 for the first month’s supply (normally $110 for a 3 ML bottle). It offers the 5 ML bottle for only $148 for the first month (normally $159).

Some companies offer major discounts if you make a three-or-more-month commitment (which isn’t a bad idea since Latisse takes a few weeks to a few months to start working anyway). 

The active ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, which is available as a glaucoma medication but isn’t sold for lash growth by a generic brand manufacturer. 

Health insurance doesn’t cover the cost of Latisse. 

What Do We Think About Latisse?

When it comes to eyelash length, Latisse is where it’s at. We love that this company has come up with a solution to sparse and non-existent lashes. We also love how easy it is to apply the product — and that it can be applied at night, so as to not ruin your makeup.

Latisse is easy to use, comes with very few side effects, and is easy to buy. We can’t think of too many other prescriptions that are this easy to get. 

We also love how Latisse works gradually to regrow lashes. You won’t be disappointed with dramatic or fake-looking lashes. 

And the amount of money you’re going to save by forgoing mascara, eyeliner, lash curlers, and other products that give the illusion of long lashes? It makes this product totally worth the price. 

Providers Offering Latisse

You currently need a prescription to purchase Latisse. Does that mean you need to make a special trip to your doctor’s office to get one? Nope!

Many online doctors are now offering Latisse — some don’t even charge a fee to chat with a doctor! 

Currently, Skin Solutions.MD and Rory are the only two providers in our network that offer Latisse. Both offer this product at a special price point for first-time users — $99 for the first month’s worth of product, to be exact. 

If you already have a prescription for Latisse, you can always get it filled through GoodRx, an online pharmacy.

If you’re struggling with sparse or no lashes, we recommend checking out one of the above providers. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a prescription for Latisse (and your first dose will arrive in just a few days!).