Be Careful of Side Effects! - Canada

Welcome to the RealSelf Latisse community and thanks for sharing your story. My eyes are brown but I agree, if I had blue or green eyes I probably wouldn't use Latisse because of the risk of changing my eye colour. It would scare me too much.

Out of curiosity, did you notice any change in your lashes during the three weeks you used Latisse?

I use Latisse (currently using Careprost) and have blue eyes. They haven't turned brown. I also have glaucoma and have used Xalatan (same ingredients as Latisse) for several years. My opthamologist told me that not everyone's blue eyes turn brown, that only the blue eyed people who already have specks of brown in the color have the problem. Mine are apparently pure blue. Thank heavens, I wouldn't want them to turn brown. As for the length of eyelashes, this is a great product. For the first time in my life, I have long eyelashes.

Why would you want to chance your beautiful eyes to a copycat product. There is no guarantee with the real latisse that your eyes will turn dark but when I researched the internet, apparently there has not been a case reported with latisse. This kind of side effect was only seen in the original eye drops (lumagan?)

Ruca: I am not saying generic products will give you darkened iris and not Latisse. However I disagree with "there is no difference" between Latisse and generic products. My pharmacist friend explained to me, even though active ingredients maybe the same, the rest of the solution (99.7%)is likely different. This may affect the effectiveness. She said many branded and generic pills are different because the base they use is different so it may absorb differently. For those that can afford the extra $$, I had just rather use something that has been tested specifically for the purpose I am using it for.

That's fine for you. I've been using Careprost for over a month now (4 drops a night, lashes and brows), and I have experienced ZERO difference between this and Latisse. The only difference is saving over $100 per bottle per month, and not having to wait over 4 months for a pre-paid bottle to be sent (still waiting, Allergan!! Ordered it in APRIL). The side effects I have experienced from Latisse is an excessive dryness of the eye in the mornings, and an occasional itchy feeling on the skin in the brow area. I get the exact same dryness and itchy sensation from Careprost, no more, no less. My lashes and brows are longer then ever, I look and feel great; the generic is an absolute success for myself and my mom (and over 100 members of Makeupalley.com, which is where I learned of the product).
The ingredients of Latisse:

Active ingredient: bimatoprost
Inactive ingredients: benzalkonium chloride; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic; citric acid; and purified water.

The ingredients of Careprost:

Active ingredient bimatoprost 0.03%)
Also contains benzalkonium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate dibasic, citric acid monohydrate, purified water.

FUNNY, LOOKS THE SAME TO ME! I worked with doctors for 13 years, and I am very used to their BS about how patients must buy their namebrand prescriptions because they might be endangering themselves with "mystery" ingredients. The truth has been, in my experience, that they didn't want to lose the business to an outside pharmacy. I used to have a PCP who would always have drug reps in his waiting room who he'd see before me while I waited for my appointment; the next thing I knew, I was being diagnosed with bronchial disorders and given sample Advair disks, or my migraines would be treated with samples of Imitrex (after I just watched the rep walk out of his office). I do my homework, and I don't believe the hype of the doctors who have too much invested in patients buying drugs they have promised to market.

By the way, I want to let the original poster know a little trick: Even though I am a happy user of Careprost, the generic Latisse, I am not going to suggest you switch back to either since you did experience a pigmentation in your iris, which is very unfortunate. What I think you might like to know is that CASTOR OIL of all things has been proven to grow lashes, brows, and even hair on the scalp with great success. I have never tried this, but I have been shocked to read dozens and dozens of women in forums all over the net raving about the benefits of Castor Oil! There is a Youtube video showing how to make a non-greasy petroleum based lash serum, and others in forums have described using the CO in 50/50 mixtures with thinner oils, like sweet almond oil (most popular). I read one forum post from a woman who mixes a scalp serum out of Castor Oil & Avocado Oil because, she claims, Avocado Oil is also known to grow hair. Maybe...? I would suggest you try making your own Castor Oil serum for your lashes (and brows, if you want), and apply it with a cotton swab. I hear it will also darken your lashes just like Latisse does, but I have not heard any hints that it can darken the iris like Bimatoprost can. I have NOT tried this home-serum personally, but I do trust the members of the forum I discovered this in. It might be a great alternative way to get the full, long lashes you were hoping to get with Latisse. I know it took the full 4 months before I saw the full difference with Latisse use, and I've been very happy with it (no difference for me with the generic version). Do a little research on Castor Oil for lash growth for more information. Good luck, I hope you can get the happy results you hoped for!