Latisse for Longer Eyelashes: What is it?

Perhaps your eyelashes have become a bit thin and short, or maybe you just want them to be thicker, longer,  and fuller than they already are.

Regardless there are things that you can do about it aside from just wearing more mascara or extensions to create that illusion. Latisse could be the right solution for growing your lashes.

Latisse is a prescription medication which will help you grow out your eyelashes like never before, which is great if you’ve always dreamed of more luscious lashes but could never manage anything beyond a few thin ones.

Latisse is used by dabbing it on the upper lash line at night with a disposable applicator, which should never be reused unless you’re actively seeking an eye infection. The solution will spread to your lower eyelid on its own as you blink, and you should not try and apply it there according to the manufacturer.

It’s important to remove your contact lenses before applying Latisse, and you should ensure that your face is clean and that you’ve removed any makeup that you might be wearing before trying to apply it. Blot off any excess liquid that falls anywhere outside of the upper eyelid, and use a new applicator for the other eyelid – it’s essential to use each applicator only one time before disposal. This will help to prevent any adverse effects like darkening around the eyelids or eye infections.

The active ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost, which was initially (and still is) prescribed for treating glaucoma and ocular hypertension. While bimatoprost is effective for its intended use, doctors and patients both observed that it also caused eyelashes to grow darker, longer and fuller as a side effect of the treatment and this is how Latisse came into being. When used for treating glaucoma, bimatoprost is sold under the Lumigan brand name, and this should not be used to thicken your eyelashes without a prescription because the medication is stronger and therefore carries more risk for side effects than Latisse.

It’s not unusual for certain medications to have additional cosmetic uses that are only discovered with use, and this is the case with both Latisse as well as Botox – neither of them started out as cosmetic products initially, but cosmetic side-effects proved noteworthy enough that now both are commonly used for beautifying purposes even more than their original intent. Some people consider this an eyelash growing hack.

Before And After Latisse

Latisse is not entirely without risk, which is why you should consult a doctor before you start using it to grow out your lashes. Latisse has been known to cause irises to brown or darken in rare cases, so do keep that in mind. Otherwise, it can cause some discolouration around the eyelids of some patients as well if used for an extended period. This darkening around the eyelids may not go away for a long time even after treatment is stopped, though any permanent effect is quite rare. Aside from that, it may cause the capillaries to become far more pronounced, though aside from making the user look stoned all the time there doesn’t seem to be a lot of risk beyond this.

According to a Latisse Expert Dr. Alex Roher of San Diego Botox,   “these potential side effects, there’s a chance that patients will experience additional hair growth around the eyes if they are careless about allowing Latisse to run off without wiping it. Not a huge risk if you follow the directions, but still important to mention as a note of caution.”

There are also a few minor side effects like burning, itching, and inflammation that can persist as long as Latisse is in use, but these side effects will disappear if treatment is stopped. Due to all of the risks involved, it’s important to consult a doctor before using Latisse.

Since Latisse is relatively easily obtained even without a prescription, it might be tempting to order online without ever consulting a doctor. While that’s simple enough to do and will save you a visit to the doctor, it isn’t advisable because of the potential side-effects. If you get a prescription for Latisse, you won’t have to worry about a counterfeit product, nor will it be adulterated – both legitimate concerns with purchasing it online.

In addition to this, a doctor should make you aware of the risks as well as proper application of the product, which are both things that you would likely miss out on if you’re ordering the stuff from the internet. After all, when the FDA approved the marketing of Latisse for cosmetic purposes, they did so know that there were very real risks that come with the product and that it should be used only under medical supervision – otherwise it would have been approved for over-the-counter use, to begin with.