Are you tired of layering on the mascara or getting eyelash extensions every two weeks in order to make your lashes appear longer and more ample? If so, then Allergan Latisse may be just what you’re looking for. This miracle lash-growing serum has its pros and its cons. Before you embark on your new lash adventure, you should take the time to read Latisse reviews to understand where it shines and where the advantages may not be so clear.
What is Latisse?
Latisse is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hypotrichosis or insufficient eyelashes. The main drug in Latisse was originally used under a different name to treat glaucoma, but an observed side effect was the growth of eyelashes. That led to Latisse, a medication specifically marketed to treat insufficient eyelash growth to help you grow thicker, longer lashes.
How Does Latisse Work?
Latisse is applied along the lash line. Over time, it encourages the new growth of thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes through a process that keeps the hair cycle in the growth phase. The eyelashes, just like hair that grows other places on the body, grows for a time and then falls out. This treatment extends the growth phase of the eyelashes and increases the number of hairs that grow.
How Do You Use Latisse?
Latisse is used by applying it along the upper lash line every night with the applicators supplied. It then spreads along the lower lash line as you blink. Before application, your face should be clean and your contact lenses removed. You only apply Latisse to the top of the lash line, never to the bottom line or directly in the eye.
It can take up to two months of regular nightly use to begin to see results. After three to four months, your treatment may move to every other night. Stopping treatment will result in your lashes gradually returning to their state before you started using the drug.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Latisse does have a few potential side effects, which is why it’s only available by prescription. Some of the most common side effects include:
- Darkened eyelids along the lash line that may look like eyeliner (a plus!)
- Irritation of the eyes, in which case you would stop treatment (5% of users may experience this)
These side effects will go away once you discontinue use. Watch Dr. Nazarian dispel Latisse myths in this video!
Is It Safe to Use Latisse?
Latisse has been deemed safe to use by the FDA, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right treatment option for everyone. For most people with healthy eyes, it’s perfectly safe. However, if you develop any side effects from its use, then it’s important to stop use and consult with the prescriber of the medication. When being prescribed Latisse, you may be asked a variety of questions such as:
- Have you ever been diagnosed with glaucoma?
- Do you have a history of hair loss in the eyebrows or eyelashes?
- Do you currently have an eye infection?
- Do you have a history of shingles around the eye area?
- Do you have any irritated or broken skin around the eye?
- Do you have a history of discoloration of the eyelids?
What Can You Do to Make Latisse More Effective?
If you’re going to go to the trouble of using Latisse to help make your eyelashes thicker, then you need to make sure you’re doing all you can to guarantee success. That means working Latisse into your existing nighttime beauty regimen.
To do this, follow the directions of application to the letter for Latisse. Once you’ve cleaned your face, removed all your makeup, moisturized, and taken out your contacts, then use the single-use applicator brush to apply it only to the top lash line. Make sure to discard the brush after each use – you never want to reuse them or you can run the risk of infection.
Make sure not to get any excess in the eye, on the lower lid, or around the eye to help decrease the side effects such as unwanted hair growth. Once you’ve applied it to your top lash line, then you should use a tissue to blot around the eye and soak up any that may have escaped from the area you intend to use it.
Latisse Reviews
So, what are people saying about Latisse? You can go right to the manufacturer website to see testimonials from real patients who have had success with the product. Many say that they have experienced:
- Thicker lashes
- Longer lashes
- Darker lashes
Believe it or not, many women love the darkening effect that Latisse has on their lashes, especially those with naturally light lashes. Those with darker lashes now have lashes that stand out and even show up in pictures. Think about it – you apply mascara for the same impact, but why do that when you can have natural lashes that highlight your eyes with Latisse?
What Happens Once The Goal Length is Achieved
Many people wonder what they do when they get the lashes they finally want through using Allergan Latisse. Well, you may use Latisse less frequently at that point, but you shouldn’t stop using it altogether or the effects will stop and your lashes will return to what they were before treatment.
Once you achieve your goal, then you simply work to maintain the length and thickness you desire. Typically, that means using Latisse 2-3 times per week to maintain results.
What About Other Lash-Boosting Products?
No doubt there are other products on the market that claim to have the same results as Latisse, but you should be wary. Some of the products use the same active ingredient as found in Latisse while others use botanicals.
The truth is that while some companies may use the same ingredients, there’s no other treatment approved by the FDA to lengthen lashes nor have these been tested to the extent Latisse has. Until competitors can go through the clinical testing Latisse has, their claims are all they have. It’s probably best to stick with the approved product that you know works.
Can You Use Latisse For Eyebrows?
Are you a victim of overplucking your eyebrows? If so, there’s good news! You can use Latisse to fill in sparse eyebrows. It will have the same effect on the hair that grows from your brows, which means you may have to spend more time grooming longer, thicker brows. A tiny drop can do the trick to help fill in your eyebrows – you don’t want to go overboard!
How Much Does Latisse Cost?
The cost of Latisse varies. You’ll need to check with the prescriber since you may be able to get a discount for a supply that lasts you several months. On average, the price works out to somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 per month.
Can Pregnant Women Use Latisse?
Even though Latisse isn’t ingested, it’s still not considered safe for pregnant women simply because it’s not been tested on pregnant women. That’s why no medical professional can recommend it to a pregnant woman, especially because the impact on the fetus is unknown for something that ultimately is for a cosmetic effect. But don’t worry – you can start Latisse again once you have the baby.
A Few Latisse Usage Tips
Once you decide to take the plunge and begin using Latisse, there are some important tips to keep in mind to keep you safe and make it effective. You should:
- Use it only as directed
- Wash your hands before and after you use the product
- Remove any contact lenses you wear before you apply Latisse and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them after application
- Apply the solution only to a clean, makeup-free face
- Use a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess solution from around the eye area
- Always use the disposable applicators included (one for each eye) and never reuse them
- Be careful during application so that hair growth doesn’t occur where you don’t want it to
- If you miss a dose, don’t double up the next application – only use one dose each time no matter how long it has been since your last application
- Only use Latisse once per day as using it more frequently will not make your lashes grow faster or increase the treatment’s effectiveness
- Don’t touch the tip of the bottle or the applicator to help avoid contamination
- Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dry place
Find Out More about Latisse
If you’re interested in purchasing Allergan Latisse online through The Skin Spot or simply learning more about it, one of our nurses would be happy to do a Skype consultation to help you get started.
Latisse has a proven track record of doing exactly what it claims – producing thicker and longer lashes. It’s safe and it’s effective and is a product we trust at The Skin Spot to provide the results you want. So why wait? If you’re interested in what Latisse can do for you, then contact us for a consultation today.