Latisse® in the San Francisco Bay Area
When Lashes Thin
Eyelashes frame the eyes, and their loss is more common than most people realize. Stress, illness, genetics, and simple age-related thinning can all leave lashes sparse, short, or slow-growing, a condition known medically as hypotrichosis. Mascara can disguise thin lashes for a day; it cannot grow them.
Latisse® can. It is the only FDA-approved prescription serum for inadequate eyelashes, and it grows real lashes rather than coating them.
Latisse is available by prescription from NorCal Plastic Surgery in Tiburon, serving patients throughout Marin County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
What Is Latisse?
Latisse is a prescription topical serum that increases the length, thickness, and darkness of eyelashes. Its active ingredient is bimatoprost, a naturally occurring fatty acid that extends the growth phase of the lash cycle, so more lashes grow, and grow longer, before shedding.
As a medical-grade treatment prescribed and monitored by a provider, it is a different category of product from over-the-counter lash serums, and it can be used by contact lens wearers.
How Is Latisse Applied?
Latisse is applied once daily, ideally in the evening:
- Cleanse the face, removing makeup and contact lenses
- Using the sterile single-use applicator, brush a thin line along the base of the upper lashes, from the inner corner outward
- Blot any excess so the serum stays at the lash line
- Wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting contact lenses
Apply only once per day; using more does not speed growth. The serum is applied to the upper lash line only, reaching the lower lashes naturally with blinking.
When Will I See Results?
Lash growth follows the lash cycle, so results build gradually. Early changes typically appear after several weeks of daily use, with full results at approximately two months.
Latisse works only while it is used. When the serum is stopped, lashes gradually return to their previous appearance over subsequent cycles, so most patients continue a maintenance routine. Refill prescriptions are provided by the practice when you run out.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Latisse?
Good candidates have thin, wispy, short, or slow-growing lashes and realistic expectations: Latisse produces genuine, visible improvement, but it is a maintenance treatment rather than a permanent change.
Because it is a prescription medication, candidacy is confirmed by a provider. Side effects are uncommon but worth knowing: temporary redness or itching of the eyelid, darkening of the skin at the lash line, and, rarely, a gradual darkening of the iris that is most relevant to lighter-colored eyes. Patients with certain eye conditions, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should discuss timing with their provider.
Why Get Latisse From NorCal Plastic Surgery?
Latisse works best as part of an honest conversation about the eye area as a whole. Sometimes thin lashes are the whole story; sometimes they accompany skin quality or eyelid changes that a lash serum will not address, where medical-grade skin care or another of the practice's facial treatments fits better.
At NorCal Plastic Surgery, Latisse is prescribed within a practice led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Timothy Rankin, with follow-up and refills handled by people who can also answer the bigger-picture questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Latisse
Does Latisse actually work?
Yes. Latisse is the only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate lashes, and its active ingredient, bimatoprost, measurably increases lash length, thickness, and darkness by extending the growth phase of the lash cycle. Visible results develop over several weeks, with full effect at about two months.
How is Latisse different from drugstore lash serums?
Latisse is a prescription medication with an FDA-approved active ingredient and clinical evidence behind it, dispensed and monitored by a provider. Over-the-counter serums are cosmetics: they may condition lashes but are not approved to grow them.
How long until I see results with Latisse?
Early improvement typically appears after several weeks of once-daily use, and full results take approximately two months. Growth builds with the natural lash cycle, so consistency matters more than quantity; applying extra serum does not accelerate results.
What happens if I stop using Latisse?
The benefits fade gradually. As treated lashes complete their cycle and shed, new lashes grow in at their pre-treatment length and thickness over the following weeks to months. Most patients maintain results with continued daily or tapered use, and the practice provides refill prescriptions.
Can I use Latisse with contact lenses?
Yes. Remove contacts before applying the serum, and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them. Application is done on clean skin, free of makeup, ideally as part of an evening routine.
Is Latisse safe? What are the side effects?
Latisse is a safe, FDA-approved treatment when used as prescribed. Uncommon side effects include temporary eyelid redness or itching and darkening of the skin at the lash line. Rarely, bimatoprost can gradually darken the iris, a consideration most relevant for lighter eye colors, which is part of the prescribing conversation.
How much does Latisse cost?
Cost depends on the kit size and how long each supply lasts with once-daily use. NorCal Plastic Surgery provides current pricing at consultation and handles refill prescriptions, and qualified patients may explore available financing options for broader treatment plans.
Ask About Latisse
If thinning lashes are undercutting the way your eyes look, a short consultation can confirm Latisse is right for you and put a prescription in your hands. Consistent daily use does the rest.
Request a consultation at the Tiburon office in Marin County by calling (415) 727-9666. You may also schedule a consultation online.
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