Latisse side effects: what are women really experiencing?
The FDA yesterday issued a letter to Allergan regarding their lack of warnings on the Latisse Web site about possible side effects of using the eyelash lengthening product, claiming the company is misleading consumers.
Top rated cosmetic treatment
At RealSelf.com, Latisse turns out to be one of the highest rated procedures, with 86% of those who’ve used Latisse believing it was worth it. Side effects are certainly discussed, yet the most controversy has swirled around whether or not to buy the generic version of Latisse, the glaucoma drug Lumigan.
By way of background, Latisse was approved by the FDA this past December, and since then has become a popular treatment for those looking to enhance their eyelashes.
Allergan has put significant marketing dollars behind Latisse, blanketing TV and women’s magazines with ads featuring Brooke Shields. The actress promotes the product for it's efficacy, but also the charitable component to the ad campaign. "As a mother, I am so proud to associate myself with LATISSE, which is not only a wonderful product (I use LATISSE daily), but has the vision to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help children around the country," states Shields.
Latisse side effects
The FDA letter specifically calls out the possible risk of hair growth is places other than the eyelash, as well as the risk of bacterial keratitis from contamination for Latisse or the applicator itself. While these risks are disturbing, none of the reviews on RealSelf to-date note these specific adverse effects.
Medical experts in the web community have explained to consumers that Latisse side effects could include hair growth in other areas as well as:
- Darkening of eyelid skin (this may be reversible once stopped)
- Possible increase in the brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye (this is likely to be permanent)
- Itching, eye redness, dryness and irritation of the eye or surounding eyelid skin where Latisse may be applied.
Considering Latisse?
If you’re considering trying Latisse out, it's worth taking the time to read about real people's experiences with the product. Here's a sampling of stories posted:
La
tisse - Great results after 17 weeks
Latisse results vs jan marini - no irritation
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4 posts
1 Oct 2009
I have used it for 5 months & am impressed with the results...i really noticed the biggest difference after 12 weeks. I have brown eyes already and have not experienced side effects. I forget to use it at least 5x a month with no problems. I even use the same applicator on both eyes with no problems...don't tell Allergen or the FDA. Honestly, I love it and would be very upset if it went off the market.
1 post
3 Oct 2009
This product is wonderful! I suffer from: thin, brittle, sparsley eye lashes. I would even like to mention that I would accidently pull my eyelashes out. (Not that I'm pulling on them tightly or yanking them out of my eye, but my eyelashes were so easy to just fall out!) I have been using Latisse for 3 months now, and what an AWESOME decision I made! I do not suffer from any side effects. If I had to say something negative, it's only when I wake up in the morning that I have to use Systane eye drops to bring moisture back to my eye. Otherwise, a few yawns can do the trick. Without telling anyone my pain and suffering of eyelashes, I have been receiving many compliments. All from other women who comment how long and thick they are. I AM SHOCKED! People do notice! If you are struggling with the decision to do it -- DO NOT WAIT! I noticed within 2 month (keep applying it every night) and then BAM! all of a sudden, you'll notice a difference. My eyelashes are so healthy now, I can't pull my lashes out. I no longer suffer from "Trichotillomania" and this has been a complete reverse on what was happening to me. THANK YOU FDA for approving! I will be a lifetime user!
60 posts
14 Oct 2009
Has anyone tried this on sparse brows yet?
1 post
14 Oct 2009
If you want to save a bundle of money, just have your doctor prescribe Lumigan instead of Latisse. If you have insurance, it costs whatever your co-pay is, and if you don't have insurance, it is MUCH less than Latisse. Allergan jacks up the price on everything they manufacture and fight any other company that manufactures any product to "compete" with their products (i.e. Dysport and Botox---they lost that lawsuit, and you can get Dysport for half the cost of Botox). Allergan just "stole" the product called Lumigan and got it apprived for a different use---doctors and patients have knows for years that Lumigan grows lashes. Allergan just jumped on the bandwagon and decided to market it for eyelash growth. So, Allergan has no right to "sue" anybody else for "infringing" on their patents, since they basically "stole" the Botox ingredient and Lunigan ingredient and had them approved for different uses---they didn't "manufacture" or "invent" anything. They just steal other company's products and profits from it. Save a lot of money and get Lumigan instead. Plus--you can get Lumigan in 7.5ml bottles, which will last for a few months, instead of paying nearly $200 a month for Latisse. It definitely works to grow lashes---I just hate Allergan as a company, and any way you can prevent giving them any $$$ for their stolen products is a good thing. Big pharma sucks.
1 post
14 Oct 2009
Has anyone experienced a sight darkening of the iris? I noticed there are dark spots that weren't there before. It is one of the side effects that the website talks about.
1 post
15 Oct 2009
I love the results from Latisse but I do have one problem. I have brown eyes and the outer part of my pupil has turned gray. It isn't noticable yet because the discolored area is covered by my eyelids but if I open them real wide you can see the change...kind of scary.
1 post
6 Nov 2009
There is something called arcus senilis that is a grey ring like change around the colored part of the eye that some people are born with and others get as they age. Check it out because what you might have is a normal thing and not from the treatment.
1 post
7 Nov 2009
Love It!! I had lost nearly all of my eyelashes on one eye and very thin on the other. I was getting very depressed, so I went to my doctor. After a check-up to make sure there wasn't anything going on with my Thyroid I started using Latisse. After 12 weeks the results are fantastic. One eye is still a little thinner, but I have lashes!! With a little mascara they look FANTASTIC!! Only side affect is the skin darkening. I also use one brush for both eyes and have found that one bottle lasts beyond 60 days. With no insurance coverage this helps a lot.
1 post
25 Nov 2009
I have used for less than a month, and not every night. My eyeballs are raw. It didn't dawn on me until just now that this might be a side effect. Aaarrrggh! Must go to a doctor tomorrow. Scary.
1 post
7 Dec 2009
My hair is growing much faster and has lost its curl. Has anyone else experienced this? Been using Latisse for 3 months.