Is Latisse Worth It?

Everywhere you look, from top models on billboards to the woman next to you on the airplane, it seems that women are batting 1000—with eyelashes, that is. But it’s not that every other woman on earth has hit the lash lottery but you—what’s most likely responsible is not only fake eyelashes, but also the prescription agent Latisse, along with its non-prescription-strength imitators.

Released in 2010, Latisse is a prescription-only treatment formulated with a prostaglanoid called bimatoprost, and it really does work to grow longer, darker lashes. In one published FDA-reviewed clinical trial, approximately 140 volunteers’ eyelashes typically grew 25 percent longer, 106 percent thicker and 18 percent darker with Latisse (bimatoprost) than those in the non-treatment (control) group. An over-the-counter product called Revitalash ($67.95, Amazon.com) contains a milder prostaglanoid called latanoprost. Both ingredients are prostaglandin derivatives that work on the same receptors, although latanoprost is weaker.

Latisse and other prostaglanoid-based treatments only offer big-time results if they are used regularly for 2-4 weeks, and the problem is that some women experience skin darkening or slight eye pain, and end up stopping sooner. The good news is that the skin darkening is mostly preventable: Place some skin cream or Vaseline around your eyes prior to application, apply only a small amount of the Latisse solution, and use only the applicator brush that comes with the product.

Other potential risks include a very slightly higher risk of glaucoma, although the FDA designated the active ingredient in Latisse as being perfectly safe. Still, some users report they feel “pain” in their eyes after using the product and feel uncomfortable using it.

Although many women are fearful of Latisse due to the possible side effects, only 3.6 percent of patients in the Allergan study experienced eye itching and red eyes, and none had a change of eye color. As Dr. Howard Kaplan, M.D. reports to the New York Times, “A change in eye color is a potential side effect of using Latisse, though it is not a common one. Because it’s possible for this side effect to occur, it’s important to weigh the potential risks and benefits of using the product with your physician.”  Indeed, any change in eye color that occurs is likely to be permanent, particularly if you have light-colored eyes.

Overall, however, Latisse is considered to be worth it. In numerous studies, Latisse has been proven safe and highly effective for increasing the number and length of eyelashes when used regularly. It is important to make sure that you are using the product properly and, as always, check with a physician if you have any concerns.

Read more of Nicki's thoughts on beauty and skincare at Future Derm. If you have a question you'd like her to address, visit her Facebook page.