What Are Potential Latisse Side Effects?

It’s unusual to see complications following the use of
Latisse. Fortunately, when complications
do occur they tend to be self-limited.Common complications include eye irritation, eye redness, eyelid itching
and eyelid hyperpigmentation.These
usually resolve when Latisse is discontinued.In
patients with light colored irises Latisse can rarely change the iris color to
brown.Unfortunately, this is probably a
permanent change.If any of these problems
occur it’s important to notify your physician as soon as possible.

Side effects from Latisse, if they do are occur, are usually mild and resolve after you discontinue using the product. Some of these side effects include redness, irritation, skin darkening along the lash line, hair growth on surrounding areas, and itching. One side effect that tends to cause some concern with patients with light colored eyes is the possibility of darkening of the iris. This side effect is extremely rare and seems to occur only when multiple drops are placed directly into the eye, which should never be done.  Fortunately, after several years and hundreds of happy patients, we have never seen this happen. 

Side effects of Latisse:rednessitchinessirritationdarkening of the skin in the areaeye drynessOne very rare risk is an increase in brown pigmentation in the irises in green or hazel eyes. However, I haven't seen this occur with any of my patients to date.

The most common side effects after using Latisse are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness, skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, and redness of the eyelids. In the original FDA study, about 4% of patients had these side effects. In our experience, nearly all patients tolerate Latisse well. There often is a slight effect of skin darkening along the lash line which is tolerated because it gives the appearance of eyeliner. This slight skin pigmentation resolves once Latisse is discontinued. There has been information floating around about Latisse changing eye color. First, Latisse was developed from prescription drops used to treat Glaucoma called Lumigan©. Lumigan is an FDA approved eye drop prescription since 2001, meant to be placed directly on the eye daily. In the original Lumigan FDA clinical trials, there was a 1% incidence of hyperpigmentation (or darkening) of the eye color (the iris) in patients with hazel or light brown eyes. In the six years since the release of Latisse there has been NO REPORTED CASES of eye color change due to Latisse that I am aware of. With Latisse the product is applied along the lash line and studies have shown when properly placed, little if any gets on the eye itself. As such, the safety literature that accompanies Latisse mentions this rare risk of a reaction and permanent darkening of your eye color.

Latisse makes longer thicker eye lashes by the application of a medication on the upper eyelid skin.  It was discovered during the treatment of glaucoma by the same medication. In those patients who were putting the medication directly in the eye a very rare side effect occurred in a very few people who had hazel eyes.  Their eye color became darker with a permanent change toward more brown eyes.  Since Latisse is the same medication it carries the warning that it may darken the iris.  This will not happen in blue eyes or brown eyed people.  Actually I have never seen any of my Latisse patient with hazel eyes complain of darkening. 

Latisse is a prostaglandin analog -- think of it as the OPPOSITE of Motrin (which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis by the body).  Therefore, it is not unusual to have some redness of the eyelid with its use.  In terms of effects on the eye itself, there is a very small risk of iris pigmentation changes.  Since it tends to increase inflammation, one reason not to take Latisse would be if you have inflammatory diseases of the eye or eyelids: bad dry eye syndrome, bad blepharitis, or intraocular inflammation (iritis, uveitis).

Rarely users of Latisse may develop itching of the eyelids.  This resolves when the product is stopped.  There is also the extremely rare incidence of light brown (hazel or green) eyes darkening to a darker brown.  As rare as it this side effect is, it has been reported with the use of the medication as a glaucoma treatment where the medication is put directly in the eye.  In the case of Latisse which is placed on the eyelid and not in the eye, darkening of the eye color is even more rare.  Blue eyes do not turn brown.  This darkening is permanent if it does occur.  Latisse is a really fun and very safe product to use for glamourous lashes.

Thicker, longer, darker eyelashes is a goal of a majority of cosmetic patients. Bimatoprost, the active chemical in Latisse, helps to improve the upper eyelashes. Latisse may cause irritation, redness, itching, or hyperpigmentation of the eyelid or eyes. The risk of these is generally low, as long as you follow the application guidelines.

A list below of possible Latisse side effects. We have found Latisse to be an excellent product with limited side effects when used correctly. Follow application instructions including limiting use to upper eyelid.

Itching and/or redness.
Possible darkening of eyelid skin (may be reversible).
Possible darkening of the colored portion of the eye (may be permanent).

The most common side effects after using Latisse are eye itching or eye redness. These were reported by about 4% of patients in the clinical trials. Latisse solution may cause other less common side effects, which typically occur on the skin close to where Latisse is applied, or in the eyes. These include skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness, or redness of the eyelids.