What is Latanoprost?

Latanoprost is used in the medical field as well as the cosmetic industry. Latanoprost is a prostaglandin, a fatty acid that has hormone-like effects on the body.

What Does Latanoprost Treat?

As an eye drop, it is used to treat glaucoma by relieving the pressure inside the eye. However, it also works as an eyelash grower by creating more hair follicles during the hair growth cycle.

Latanoprost is FDA approved for use on the upper eyelashes only. It may spread to the lower lashes as you blink but the effect will be primarily on the upper lashes. It won’t matter if the medication gets into your eyes since it is used that way for glaucoma and is very unlikely to cause any damage.

How to Use Latanoprost

Before applying latanoprost, wash your hands and face and remove all makeup from the eyes. The solution is placed at the roots of the upper lashes once nightly with a single-use applicator.

If you wear contacts, they can absorb the product and become discolored. To reduce this risk, remove your contacts before applying the solution and wait for 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Precautions and Side Effects

Latanoprost is considered safe for adults but be sure to mention any current medications to your provider. Patients may experience eyelid itching, dry eyes, eyelid darkening and bloodshot eyes. Eye and eyelid swelling may also occur, if this happens report to your provider immediately.

When used alone, these fatty acids can cause light irises to become darker over the years. It may cause a permanent brown discoloration of the iris when used over months or years. When used in eyelash grower, the side effects should fade when you stop using the product.

Another side effect that may occur is periorbital fat atrophy. This is a hollowing-out appearance of the eyelids. This type of fat atrophy is permanent and may be severe. If you notice this happening, you should stop using Latanoprost immediately.