Eyelash Extensions vs Latisse

Every woman wants fuller, longer lashes.  Eyelash extensions have become very popular over the past couple of years.  I have a lot of patients asking about extensions vs Latisse treatment.  There are several differences between the two, but they are actually complimentary!

Eyelash Extensions:

Extensions (done properly) are glued to individual lashes.  They will last until the natural lash falls out.  The lashes are typically made from artificial mink to give a soft, fluffy look.  Since your natural lashes don’t fall out all at once, the extensions will thin out over several weeks (typically 3-4 weeks for them to all fall out).  As the extensions fall off, there are generally gaps in the lash line.  Most lash professionals recommend that you have them filled every 2 weeks to prevent these gaps.  The initial application typically takes about 2 hours and costs around $120.  Touch up applications every 2 weeks will take 30-60 minutes and cost $50-70 each.  That means that over a 16 week (4 month) period the cost could be over $600.  During that time you would have spent over 5 hours in the lash salon.

Latisse:

Latisse is an eyelash growth serum.  Initially designed as a medication to treat glaucoma, it has the incredible side effect of causing eyelash growth.  This eyelash growth serum helps keep your lashes from falling out, letting them grow longer and thicker.  You apply Latisse like eyeliner to the lash line and application takes less than 30 seconds.  Latisse does take about 4 months of daily use to reach full effect.  Once you have reached your desired fullness, you can back off to using the product several times a week (or you can continue daily use).  A bottle of Latisse costs around $180 and will last for 10 weeks if you follow Allergan’s instructions (though many patients say that it lasts longer than that).  16 weeks of Latisse will cost you less than $300.

Using Latisse with Eyelash Extensions:

Because they use different mechanisms to give volume and length to your lashes, Latisse and eyelash extensions are actually complimentary!  Eyelash extensions need to be filled because your lashes fall out and Latisse helps prevent your lashes from falling out.  So, using Latisse to slow eyelash loss will likely prolong the life of your extensions, all while making your natural lashes darker and longer.

Latisse is a prescription medication, so you will need to see a doctor before you can purchase it.  You can either buy it through your doctor’s office or at your pharmacy with a prescription from a doctor.  Be wary of buying any medications on line, there are lots of counterfeits out there.  Buying fake Latisse could mean it won’t work, but even worse it could lead to something serious like injury to your eyes.  There are other medications that purport to do the same thing as Latisse, but Latisse is the only medication that has been studied and approved by the FDA specifically for eyelash growth.  Like all prescription medications, Latisse can have some risks.  Be sure to talk with your doctor about the possible risks of using Latisse.

Jennifer Tighe de Soto, MD is a cosmetic surgeon who is board certified through the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.  For more advice from Dr. de Soto on anti-aging, facial rejuvenation or other aesthetic treatments please visit www.omahaliposuction.com where you can read her blog and see before and after photos of actual patients.  If there’s a topic you would like to see us cover in a blog, please Contact Us.