I’m sure that you are seeing prescription eyelash serums all over the internet right now. Currently, there are tons of start-ups that are offering prescription eyelash serums at a decreased cost and sent right to your front door. But what is really in that prescription serum, and is it good for you?
Generally speaking, if something is FDA-approved, it has gone through testing to prove its results and relatively low percentage of harm. There is only one FDA- approved prescription eyelash serum, and it usually runs about $140+. While it is relatively harmless, it does come with some pretty serious side effects that you need to be aware of.
In this article, we will review the side-effects, costs and time involved in getting a prescription eyelash growth serum. We will also discuss some natural alternatives and even get into the pros of both natural and prescription eyelash serums.
How does something get FDA-approval?
According to Registrar Corp, “To get FDA approval, drug manufacturers must conduct lab, animal, and human clinical testing and submit their data to FDA. FDA will then review the data and may approve the drug if the agency determines that the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks for the intended use.”
Side-Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, “The medication bimatoprost — marketed under the brand name Latisse — is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inadequate eyelashes (hypotrichosis). Bimatoprost is also marketed under the brand name Lumigan, which is used in prescription eye drops to treat glaucoma. Eyelash growth was an unexpected side effect of Lumigan, which led to the creation and marketing of Latisse.”
The medication, bimatoprost does come with some side effects. These include:
- Redness of the thin tissue over the white part of the eye (conjunctiva)
- Itchy, red eyes
- Dry eyes
- Darkened eyelids
- Darkened brown pigmentation in the colored part of the eye (iris)
- Hair growth around the eyes if the medication regularly runs or drips off the eyelids
It is important to note that the most severe side effect, change of eye color, is most likely permanent, should it happen to you. However, the side effect of darkened eyelids might fade when the medication is stopped.
According to RX List, you should, “tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Latisse including severe burning or itching of your eyes, severe redness or swelling in or around your eye, vision problems, eye pain, seeing halos around lights, oozing or discharge from your eye, or increased sensitivity to light.”
Also, if you are pregnant and planning on breastfeeding, you will want to consult your doctor before getting a prescription. It is unknown if bimatoprost is transferred into the milk from the mother.
Cost
According to Very Well Health, “A prescription for Latisse, which is obtainable only through a doctor, costs about four dollars per day. Prices vary regionally, but the average cost of a 30-day supply is between $120 and $140.”
It is important to note that healthcare will not cover the cost of Bimatoprost, as its purpose is cosmetic. You will need to pay for the doctor’s appointment to get the serum, as well as some check-ups throughout the year to make sure you aren’t seeing any side effects. A year-long prescription to this serum can run you $1,000+.
There are several companies online that are trying to streamline the process to get prescription eyelash growth serum. They sell Latisse at $140 for one bottle, or $110 if you get a subscription. They give you a free meeting with a dermatologist to prescribe the serums. Some companies do charge for this visit with the doctor though.
All in all, prescription eyelash serum is not cheap. If you have the extra money to spend on it, go for it. If you don’t, there are more natural alternatives that you go for, that provide the same results.
Natural Alternatives
If all of this seems like a lot, then you might want to consider a more natural alternative. ForLash is a natural growth serum that utilizes specially-derived plant ingredients to create the same kind of growth that Bimatoprost does, WITHOUT the fear of eye color change or red eyelids.
ForLash uses powerful peptides to enlarge hair follicles and stimulate hair growth, while plant-based acids and glycols treat and nourish the eyelid, creating the perfect environment for long-lasting lash growth.
Additionally, ForLash costs $29 for a month's supply. Over a year, that could save you up to $1,300. That is a HUGE savings. What would you do with that extra money?
Also, the application of ForLash is safe and easy. Simply use the applicator to apply one swipe to the lash line of each eye before bed. If you are consistent, you should start to see results in as little as 3 weeks.
And last but not least, ForLash is both vegan and cruelty-free products, meaning that they have NEVER been tested on animals. We can’t say the same for Bimatoprost.
So, if you are looking for a cheaper and more natural solution for eyelash and eyebrow growth, you have come to the right place. Click here to read why women and men everywhere are loving ForLash.
