Latest update January 14th, 2021 6:19 PM
Best Way to Grow Longer Thick Lashes in 60 Days
Compare cosmetic-based eyelash enhancers with physician-prescribed eyelash treatments like Latisse.
After learning how expensive lash extensions can be, I started looking at the basics of eyelash conditioners and how to grow your lashes longer and fuller, with less breakage, it’s time to start comparing the various products. There are two basic types of eyelash enhancement products. The first group falls under the category of cosmetic products. In other words, they can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor, and they do not contain any pharmaceuticals or drugs in them. The second group falls under the category of medical aesthetics, are produced by a pharmaceutical company, and can only be prescribed by a physician.
Cosmetic Lash Enhancers
There are several popular lash treatments available over the counter: Enormous Lash by Beauty Society ($95), RevitaLash Eyelash Conditioner ($150), ProCyte MD Lash Factor ($140), and Arbonne Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer ($35).
Revitalash was invented by a physician who wanted to help his wife, who was experiencing hair loss from chemotherapy. She was thrilled with the results, and soon others inquired about using the product.
Enormous Lash works with arginine and sphingolipid to strengthen eyelashes, plusalanyl glutamine and saccharomyces/copper ferment to increase hair production.
ProCyte MD Lash Factor is paraben-free and gentle for sensitive eyes, but cautions that excessive usage can lead to skin darkening around the eye and iris.
Virtual Illusion Lash Enhancer uses natural botanicals to achieve its results, and claims that 85{cea8d9aa62bad3a86c29dffa3a743c41d84271440c9b4bb5bfd3bde47c59ae47} of test subjects experienced eyelash lengthening and strengthening in 14 days.
Medical Aesthetics Prescription Lash Enhancers
Latisse is the first name in prescription lash lengtheners. This prescription treatment was actually discovered during clinical trials of a glaucoma drug, Lumigan. Patients using this drug experienced a side effect of longer, fuller and darker lashes after 4 weeks of treatment for glaucoma. Lumigan’s maker, Allergan, concluded that the active ingredient in Lumigan, a prostaglandin called bimatoprost, was the answer.
It has been approved by the FDA, and is most commonly prescribed by dermatologists. Latisse costs between $120 – $140 per month, but health insurance will not cover this expense since Latisse’s usage is strictly for cosmetic reasons. Usage is daily, but once the desired results are achieved, many customers reduce their applications to one or two applications per week.
Possible side effects include skin darkening of the eyelids, increased brown pigmentation of the iris, excess hair growth in areas that come in repeated contact with skin surfaces, and itchiness of the eye.
Allergan’s website indicates that if Latisse usage is discontinued, the lashes will return to their original state.
Where to Buy Lash Enhancers
Most lash enhancers are available online, through independent consultants in the case of Arbonne, or in higher-end cosmetics stores. Latisse, which is a bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, is only available through your physician.
