Latisse (Bimatoprost) Side Effects

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then eyelashes are the drapes — and nobody wants thin drapes. But thick eyelashes often involve pricey salon visits or applying fiddly fakes at home.

Latisse^® (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution), a prescription medication, may offer a solution. It can promote lash growth and make your lashes darker, thicker and longer.

Originally developed by Allergan, Latisse is an FDA-approved prescription medication for treating hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. Or in simple terms — a lack of voluminous eyelashes. 

But Latisse side effects do exist. We’ll explore the common and the not-so-common ones below. Plus, we’ll share how to apply Latisse to minimize your risk of side effects.

Before we dive deeper into the potential side effects of Latisse, here’s a quick highlight of what we’ll be covering. 

The most commonly reported side effects of Latisse can include: 

• Eye irritation, such as redness, itching, or dryness

• Darkening of the upper eyelids 

Some of the less common side effects of Latisse are: 

• Allergic reaction

• Hair growth outside the treatment area

• Asymmetrical or uneven eyelash growth

• Eye infection

• A permanent change in eye color

• Lower pressure inside your eye

• Periorbital fat loss, a condition that can lead to a sunken or hollow appearance around eyes 

Side effects from Latisse are rare. According to the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), clinical studies have found that the most common adverse reactions happen in only three to four percent of people. 

Here are the common side effects. 

Eye Irritation

One of the most common side effects of Latisse is itchy and red eyes. Latisse can also cause dry eyes, which can pile on the discomfort of your eye redness and itchiness.  

These negative side effects of Latisse should clear up on their own, but speak to your provider or an ophthalmologist if they don’t. 

Darkening of the Upper Eyelids

Latisse makes your eyelashes darker, but it can have this effect on your upper eyelids, too. And your eyelids may get darker and darker if you keep using Latisse. This is called hyperpigmentation. 

Darker lids may make it look like you’ve got sunken eyes. So if you’ve Googled “Latisse side effects sunken eyes” you’re certainly not alone. 

However, this side effect might not happen immediately. 

One 2010 paper looked into four cases of eyelid skin darkening caused by Latisse and found that participants noticed discoloration after three to eight weeks of use.  

Despite noticing skin hyperpigmentation, each participant chose to continue using Latisse. This suggests that the side effect wasn’t severe enough to bother them.  

Want to avoid the smokey-eye look? The good news is this side effect is reversible. Discontinuation of Latisse can reverse the darkening of the upper eyelids, meaning that you should be back to your regular coloring within several weeks or months.  

There are a few less common side effects of Latisse you need to know about. These are a little more concerning — but, once again, they’re rare. 

Allergic Reaction

Latisse can also cause an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction that affects the eyelids or the area around the eyes. This can lead to redness or a rash that’s often associated with a burning sensation and itching.  

Speak to your provider if you have a reaction to Latisse. 

Hair Growth Outside the Treatment Area

Beyond eyelash growth, Latisse can cause hair growth where you might not want it. This can happen if the solution repeatedly comes into contact with skin outside the treatment area.  

For example, if you apply Latisse in a rush and the formula frequently runs down your cheeks, you might notice new hairs growing on your face. 

To reduce your chances of this possible side effect, make sure you’re applying Latisse only to the skin at the base of your eyelashes, called the upper eyelid margin, and blotting away any excess with a tissue or cotton pad. 

Asymmetrical or Uneven Eyelash Growth

Another potential (albeit minor) side effect is the chance of your eyelashes growing asymmetrically. 

This was seen in some participants in one small study, though the researchers stated that one reason for this could be due to users applying the product unevenly. So careful application could be the fix here. 

Eye Infection

There’s a small risk of developing an eye infection from using Latisse. These types of infections include conjunctivitis or a bacterial infection called ocular keratitis. Using the product incorrectly can increase your odds of infection. 

To avoid contamination and potential infection, wash your hands before applying the product. And make sure the tip of the bottle and applicator don’t touch any other surface — so don’t lay them on the side of your sink or touch them with your fingers.  

We’re all for recycling, but don’t reuse the sterile applicators that come with Latisse. They should be used on one eye only, then thrown away. 

If you develop an infection, let your healthcare provider know. 

Change in Eye Color

One scary-sounding bimatoprost side effect is a change in eye color — and this change can be permanent. 

Latisse may increase the amount of brown pigmentation in your irises (the colored part of your eye). This can cause either part of your iris or the entire iris to become browner. 

Changes in iris pigmentation are most common in people with brown or hazel eyes. 

This Latisse eye color change may not happen for several months — or even years — after you start using the product.  To reduce your risk, take care with your application of Latisse to prevent the solution from going into your eyes. 

If you notice changes in your eye color, you don’t need to stop using Latisse. That said, you should seek medical advice if you’re concerned.

Lower eye pressure

Latisse may lower intraocular pressure (IOP) — pressure inside your eyes. However, clinical trials as well as further studies have noted that this isn’t enough of a reduction to cause clinical concern.  

In fact, that’s what bimatoprost does. It’s also the active ingredient in the product Lumigan^®, which is approved to treat elevated intraocular pressure (glaucoma). 

However, Lumigan is an eye drop you apply directly into your eyes, not just to the base of your lashes. Don’t use Latisse as a replacement if you’re treating glaucoma. 

If you’re looking into Latisse for thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes, there are some precautions to be aware of before you get started. 

First off, if you’re allergic to bimatoprost or any other inactive ingredients in Latisse, you shouldn’t use it. 

Next, it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider if you’re using Lumigan — or any other prostaglandin analog drugs for eye pressure problems — and want to start using Latisse. 

The following individuals should also seek advice from a healthcare provider before using Latisse: 

• Pregnant or breastfeeding people

• Those who wear contact lenses

• Individuals with existing eye inflammation, such as uveitis

• People at risk of macular edema or who have known problems with the lens of their eye 

If you’re already using Latisse, it’s also important to let your healthcare provider know if you develop a new eye condition or have an eye surgery. They can advise you on whether you should keep using Latisse. 

There are no additional side effects associated with Latisse used by younger folks. Research into those aged five to 17 didn’t find any further safety concerns.  

Still, the FDA recommends people under 16 not use Latisse because of safety concerns around increased pigmentation from long-term use.  

Some Latisse side effects may be avoided by applying the product correctly and applying the right amount of product.  

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Wash your hands and face. Remove any mascara, makeup and contact lenses if you wear them.

2. Remove the sterile applicator from its tray, taking care not to touch the tip you’ll be touching to your eyelids. Place one drop of Latisse solution onto the area closest to the tip, but not directly onto the tip.

3. Draw the applicator along the skin at the base of the eyelashes. Start at the inner part of the eye and draw outward. Don’t apply Latisse to your lower lash line.

4. Blot any excess product with a tissue or cotton pad.

5. Throw the applicator away and repeat the treatment on the other eye using a new applicator. If you wear contacts, you can pop them back in after 15 minutes.  

Pro tip: Keep Latisse to yourself — no sharing with friends! Nothing ruins a friendship faster than passing on an eye infection. 

Latisse can come with a few hairy side effects. But they’re rare and generally mild — and you may find the benefits of the medication outweigh any possible downsides.  

Here are the key takeaways: 

• Latisse side effects are rare. Common side effects happen in three to four percent of people. They include eye irritation and dryness as well as darkening eyelids.

• Keep an (ahem) eye out for less common side effects. This includes increased iris pigmentation, hair growth outside the lashes, and eye infections.

• Most side effects are reversible. Red, itchy eyes may get better on their own, and darker eyelids may clear up when you stop using Latisse. Changes to your eye color may be permanent, though.  

Latisse can help you get thicker, longer, darker eyelashes — the real triple threat. And it’s cheaper than those pricey salon visits. We’ve covered more in our guide to the cost of Latisse. 

It’s not the only option out there, though.

We rounded up more tips on how to grow longer eyelashes. And if you’re eyeing other treatment options, we’ve compared Latisse versus Lash Boost and other hair loss treatments.

Got more questions? We’ve got answers. Check out our Latisse FAQs for more.