Latisse Causing Dark Circles Under the Eyes?

I have dispensed over 3000 Latisse (and previously Lumigan) bottles over the last 3 years and have rarely see darkening of the skin (less than 1%.)  I feel this is in a large part due to the very fine eyeliner brush we give to our patients with each Latisse purchase.  This reusable brush has a much smaller tip and allows for more exact coverage of Latisse to the base of the eyelashes.  By using less product and only applying it to the base of the lashes, which is difficult to do with the FDA approved brushes supplied with the Latisse kit, very little Latisse actually touches the skin and therefore reduces the risk for pigmentation. 

Latisse can sometimes cause darkening of the skin where the product is applied. This darkness will fade after you discontinue using the product. If you are experiencing some darkness at your lower eyes, you may want to try using less product at your upper lash line since it may be transferring some of that product to the lower lid and causing darkness there. You only need a small amount of the product with each application. Also, you may try using a thinner brush that will offer more precise application, but make sure you are using common sense when it comes to hygiene and contamination when using a single brush for multiple applications.

Latisse can darken and/or redden the skin in the area where it is applied, but it's temporary and will go away after you stop using it. 

One of the side effects of Latisse is minor coloring of the skin that you apply the product to. This can look like a light pink line above the lashes (like an eyeliner line). Be sure that you are not allowing any excess product to drip on any other part of your face or eye. This could increase growth of hair in those areas as well as light pigmentation. Luckily, this coloration is reversible and will disappear after stopping the application for several weeks to a couple months. The dark circle under the eye could possibly be from trace amounts of solution getting on the lower lid, especially if you are using Latisse on the lower lid line.To avoid this from happening, only use minimal amount of product (a little goes a long way!) and only use on your upper lashes. You can also purchase an inexpensive eye-liner brush from the drugstore and use this instead of the brushes that come with the product. It allows for more controlled and direct application. Hope that helps!

If you apply Latisse on the lower eyelashes then there is a risk that the product will spill onto the skin of the lower eyelid. This can cause a staining of the skin since it is capable of hyperpigmentation in this area.
I hope this is helpful to you. 
Steve Greene, MD

Yes dark circle is reported.  Should subside gradually once you stop using the product.   Do pay attention to make sure dark circle is not due to loss of fat tissue under eyes reported from using of bimataprost/Latisse.  See attached link.

Latisse can cause pigmentation changes right at the lash line, but should not be the cause of your dark circles.  I would check to make sure you're using a fine brush that makes application easy, and I would also make sure you're not using too much product or rubbing your eyes once the product has been applied.  If it is caused by the product, discontinue use and it will disappear on its own.

Latisse causes the lashes to grow longer, thicker and darker.  I have not seen hyper pigmentation in my practice.  On the lighter side the effects are reversible just by simply stop using the product.

 

"Dr.D"

Latisse is known to cause some patients to have skin darkening in the area where it is applied. It is important only to apply Latisse with the applicators given in the packaging and to only apply one drop at a time. Use a tissue to blot any excess Latisse. Do not apply Latisse to your lower eyelashes/lids. If you are experiencing dark circles under your eyes, make sure that you are not applying too much or too often and that the product is not transferring to your lower eyelids.  To be on the safe side, follow up with your doctor and review how you are applying Latisse. If it turns out that the darkening is from Latisse, it should fade within a few months after cessation of the product.

One of the possible side effects of Latisse is to cause darkening of the skin near where it is applied. This pigmentation is often reversible simply by discontinuing the use of Latisse. Although many physicians recommend the use of Latisse on the lower eyelashes, it is important to realize that it is FDA approved only for use on the upper eyelashes.
Darkening of the skin below the eyes may have other causes other than the use of Latisse.
If you are experiencing pigmentation, or skin darkening, I recommend that you see your prescribing physician to discuss the issue with him or her. Fortunately, this problem usually resolves when Latisse is no longer applied to the area, and in my experience, sometimes resolves simply by decreasing applying Latisse less often once you have achieved the lashes you desire.