My lashes are longer than ever, thanks to Latisse — here’s my complete review of the lash growth serum
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Even the best mascaras and eyelash curlers can only do so much to make your eyelashes appear long and luscious — especially when you have naturally straight, stubby lashes like me. That’s why I committed to using Latisse to give my inadequate lashes a boost. After doing some research on lash serums, the prescription-only treatment seemed like the safest and best option for achieving longer and healthier lashes.
Now, six months into using Latisse, I have visibly enhanced eyelashes, thanks to the daily-use serum that takes seconds to apply. Ahead, see my results for yourself and learn how I got a prescription for Latisse without a trip to the doctor’s office.
Latisse, 3-Month Supply
Available through telehealth companies, it’s now easier than ever to get your hands on this prescription-only lash serum. Latisse is the only FDA-approved treatment for boosting growth for sparse lashes — and it works. After four months, I began to notice darker, thicker and longer lashes, with results only getting better from there.
What is Latisse?
“Latisse is the only FDA-approved prescription medication for sparse or inadequate eyelashes,” says Dr. Julia Schwartz, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatology advisor for the direct-to-patient healthcare company Ro. “The active ingredient in Latisse is bimatoprost, which has been clinically shown to promote the growth of longer, thicker and darker eyelashes.”
Bimatoprost was originally used in glaucoma treatment medication, and users of bimatoprost eye drops found that their eyelashes were growing longer and fuller. This was the catalyst for bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analog, being developed into Latisse for use as an eyelash growth serum.
Patients typically can expect to see results after 16 weeks of using the serum daily, and the effects will sustain as long as you continue using Latisse. “If you stop using Latisse, your eyelashes will eventually revert back to their initial length and density,” says Schwartz.
Recently, the risks and side effects of using Latisse and nonprescription prostaglandin analog lash serums have gained attention on social media for causing redness, irritation and even orbital fat loss. Thankfully, these averse effects usually go away or are reversible once you stop using the product (and I didn’t experience any of the above while using Latisse). Schwartz says it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor if you have any concerns about using Latisse, before, during or after treatment.
What we liked about it
Easy to get a prescription online
For prescription-only beauty products and skin care, seeing a doctor and securing the Rx is one of the biggest hurdles. Now, telehealth companies are making it easier to get prescription-strength products without a doctor’s appointment or providing health insurance. There are several that have Latisse, but I opted for Ro because I had already tried its custom Rx skin care and thought the process was easy and painless on its platform.
The first step is signing up and completing a virtual visit, which entails answering some questions online. It includes questions that a doctor would ask, like if you wear prescription glasses, have any preexisting eye conditions, are pregnant or are undergoing any treatments that could prohibit you from using the product. It also asks about your current medications and allergies. And since you aren’t seeing a doctor in real-time, you have to submit a picture of your natural lashes so one of Ro’s licensed health care providers can do a quick visual examination, review your chart and see if you’re a fit for Latisse.
After that, you choose which prescription plan you want. Ro offers a three-month plan with the 5-milliliter bottle for $53/month (you get billed $159 every three months) or an at-will plan with a 3-milliliter bottle for $110/month. Ro also has a promotion for $20 off your first order, if you sign up for the three-month plan. You aren’t charged until a doctor has signed off on your prescription.
I opted for the three-month subscription, which you can cancel at any time. My prescription was approved the same day, and I received my order just a couple days after that.
It takes seconds to apply
Incorporating Latisse into my daily routine couldn’t have been easier. The kit comes with a bottle of solution and 140 disposable applicators. Before applying Latisse, the directions say to remove makeup and contact lenses, and apply any other facial care products. Thus, Latisse became the very last step in my nighttime skin care routine.
Before pulling out the applicators, though, it’s important to know how Latisse fits in with your routine. Schwartz also explains that, “You should not use other eyelash growth serums while using Latisse because there can be an interaction of ingredients, which can lead to unwanted side effects like irritation.” Oil-based eye makeup remover and waterproof mascara can also “interfere with Latisse’s absorption” if still present on the eyelashes, according to the dermatologist. Essentially, you want your eyelids and lashes to be clean and clear of any other products so Latisse can work its magic.
Once I was ready to apply it, I simply opened up a set of applicators (they come in trays of two; one for each eye to keep things sterile) and took one out. Following the directions, I applied one drop of the serum to the brush tip of the applicator and then swept it along the upper lash line of one of my eyes. You want to feel the serum on the lash line, but it shouldn’t be dripping. If there’s excess solution that drips beyond the eyelids, I gently blotted it away with a tissue. Other times, however, it felt like I wasn’t applying anything at all. But Schwartz assures that it’s important to use Latisse only as directed. “Using more medication or increasing the frequency will not speed up the results and can lead to waste of medication and increased side effects,” she says. Then I repeated with another fresh applicator, applying it to the opposite lash line.
This process takes under a minute; the real test of patience is with seeing results. According to clinical trials, users can expect to see longer, fuller and darker lashes after 16 weeks and this was true to my experience. Just as I finished four months of using Latisse as prescribed, my partner commented, “Your eyelashes look so long!” Indeed, it was the length that was the first noticeable difference. As I have naturally dark hair, I actually didn’t notice that my lashes got even darker until taking the “after” photo for this review. But the transformation is apparent in the close-up, and I’m glad I’ve been able to tick all the boxes of Latisse’s claims — I’m calling it a success.
What we didn’t like about it
The disposable, single-use plastic applicators
To guard against infection, a new set of applicators must be used every day. Unfortunately, that means that you’re tossing away small sticks of single-use plastic every time you use Latisse. It feels a bit wasteful, but I understand the reasoning from a health perspective.
However, there’s another gripe I have with the applicators too. They come in sheets of five sets each, which you can tear away on perforated lines. The box that they come in is a bit bulky to keep on my vanity (and is also visually unappealing), so I wanted to come up with a better storage solution. I decided to tear each set of applicators away from the sheet, so I could fit them in a Mason jar. This was an extra step that led me to accidentally tearing open some of the applicators before I was ready to use them. Not a huge deal but a small nuisance nonetheless.
How it compares
While I have not personally tried other lash growth serums, I did weigh the pros and cons of opting for a nonprescription lash growth product, such as Grandelash or Revitalash, before starting Latisse. These products both use prostaglandin analogs to promote lash growth; however, bimatoprost (aka Latisse) is the only prostaglandin analog cleared by the FDA for use as a lash growth solution.
“Latisse’s FDA approval means that it has undergone rigorous testing for safety and efficacy,” explains Schwartz. “There are many over-the-counter (OTC) eyelash serums that also claim to promote the growth of eyelashes, but while these serums are usually relatively safe, they do not always have to disclose all of their ingredients or undergo the same clinical testing that Latisse does. Since Latisse is a prescription medication, this comes with the added benefit of supervision of use by a medical professional.”
Nonprescription options have their merits and have racked up plenty of positive reviews for their ability to visibly increase lash growth. An Underscored contributor who tested Grandelash saw results as early as six weeks into using the lash-enhancing serum.
Nonprescription lash serums are typically cheaper than Latisse too. A three-month supply of the Grandelash serum is $68, while a three-month supply of Revitalash is $100. Whether you opt for a month-to-month plan or quarterly subscription via Ro or another provider, you can expect to pay at least $110 per Latisse order.
Ultimately, the assurance of an FDA-approved product and the access to a physician for any questions or concerns during the course of treatment made me pick Latisse, which I felt made the higher price tag worth the investment.
Bottom line
You’ll need some patience, but if you think of Latisse as any other prescription medication and use it as directed, the results will speak for themselves. Considering its cost, I probably won’t use Latisse for the rest of my life, but for now, I’m thrilled with my long and luscious lashes.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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