Considering Latisse for Longer Lashes? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
Eyelash extensions, false lashes, coats and coats of mascara - all ways to achieve those sought after long, beautiful lashes. Adding length and volume enhance your features and natural beauty. But when your friends ask - are those real? What if you could say - yes!
Latisse is the only FDA-approved treatment to grow your own lashes. This prescription lash serum boasts proven results to grow lashes that are fuller, darker, and thicker! So if you’re tired of piling on the mascara and ready to just wake up with great lashes, Latisse may be the solution you’re looking for.
How Latisse Works to Grow Your Lashes
The active ingredient in Latisse is Bimatoprost, which is actually a medication originally produced solely to treat glaucoma (brand name Lumigan). Turns out - people using the drug for their eye condition were noticing longer, fuller lashes.This led to the development of Latisse! It’s not uncommon for medications to be discovered this way. That’s a medication side effect I can get behind!
To understand how Latisse works – let me quick explain your eyelash life cycle.
Your lashes go through a growth cycle (as does all of your hair). There are three different phases of the growth cycle happening at any given time. All of your lashes are randomly in one of these cycles right now.
Growing – your lashes are actively lengthening
Transition – the growth has stopped and the hair follicle starts to shrink
Resting – the lash will shed and you’ll move back into the growth cycle
Bimatoprost stimulates the follicle when it’s in the rest phase to move into the growth phase. This gives you a higher amount of active, growing follicles a.k.a your own lashes growing when they normally wouldn’t be! Only about 40% of your lashes are in the growth phase at the same time. This makes a big difference because typically that resting phase can last for months. This means you have a higher percentage of visible lashes all growing at once.
Some other nice things Latisse does for your lashes? Bimatoprost increases the width of the bulb – which helps your lash grow thicker. The product also stimulates the production of melanin, which darkens your lashes. Thicker, darker lashes? Yes!
The Latisse Application Process & Tips
The application of Latisse is pretty straightforward. First – wash your face and remove any makeup. Open up the tray and remove an applicator (there are two). Place a drop of Latisse near the tip of the application brush.
Draw the applicator along the skin of the upper eyelid – right where your lashes meet your skin. If there’s any excess solution, you should just blot it away with a tissue (pro tip, swipe the excess along those eyebrows!) Then – throw away that applicator and grab the second one from the package to repeat the steps for the other eye.
That’s it! Apply once a day for 16 weeks. Once you achieve your desired results, you may be able to move to a lower frequency for maintenance.
Some additional tips:
If you do wear contacts, remove them prior to application. Wait 15 minutes to reinsert.
Remember to only apply Latisse to your TOP lashes. Just through blinking, some will reach your lower lashes. Adding more could look unnatural.
Don’t reuse the applicators, and be careful not to touch the tip of the bottle to anything. The last thing you want is an eye infection!
Regardless of time of day – wait at least 15 minutes for the product to dry before applying make up or going to bed.
What to Expect When Using Latisse
As much as we love our immediate results (hello Amazon prime) it’s going to take more than a couple days to see changes. Remember – this is growth of your natural lashes. You could notice some changes within 4 weeks, but the full effect will take 3 to 4 months. The change will be gradual, so taking weekly pictures is a great way to see your progress as you go. Don’t stop once you notice growth, or reach your desired results! Your lashes will return to their natural state once you stop using the product. Overall, you will notice a difference in the length, darkness, and thickness of your lashes!
Latisse Side Effects
Okay let me address the one you’ve probably heard first. Yes, in rare occurrences the product has been shown to darken your eye color. This is described as a ‘permanent’ side effect, so definitely could make you concerned. Bimatoprost has the ability to increase the size of melanin granules in your iris - the colored part of your eye. Brown eyes have lots of melanin, and pure blue eyes don’t have any – so not as much of a concern if you fall into these categories. If you have hazel eyes, or other mixed coloring, you probably have the highest likelihood of experiencing this (rare) side effect. Remember, this isn’t the eye drop version of the drug for glaucoma (Lumigan), it’s only brushed onto your upper lash which makes the likelihood of this side effect so infrequent.
The most common side effects of red, dry, and itchy eyes affected 4% of clinical trial patients.This is more likely for you if you’re already prone to eye irritation. Latisse can also darken the skin right at the border of your lashes. These side effects will dissipate when you stop using the product.
If you’re interested in trying Latisse, book an appointment with me at Polished MedSpa. I’d love to answer any questions and get you started on the journey of growing your own beautiful lashes!