Using Latisse during chemo

hi laura5,

I have been using latisse since the start of AC chemo and have had 3 DD treatments (at week 7 now).  I also put the remaining part of the drop on each eyebrow.  I have no loss at all, my lashes are a bit thicker actually and look good..

however, I have heard of women partially losing their lashes and brow after chemo finishes despite latisse... so I will have to see how it goes.

There is another thread on this topic in the chemo forum but "lattise" is spelled wrong in the title so may be hard to find! My concern, besides the expense, was darkening of the iris - can't risk losing my baby blues. The brow idea is interesting however. Those hairs seem to be more deeply rooted and my wig is cut to camouflage that area in case I try to get artistic with the pencil/powder and don't do a very good job...

After 4 cycles of TC (last infusions yesterday), my blonde tipped lashes have thinned but I can still wear mascara. Might experiment with falsies once I go back to work next month if there's enough there to perform an anchoring function. 

There have been no cases of Latisse used as an eyelash enhancer causing eye color problems.  That is an old wives tale.  When used as originally made for - glaucoma, as drops in the eyes, sometimes that would cause eye color changes.

As Latisse, lining the eyes you are safe.

I didn't use it during my (first) chemo but got it right after.  The latisse rep said they hadn't done studies on whether it was safe to use on women during chemo - probably was, but you are trying to grow cells at the same time you are trying to kill them...

I used it right after and my lashes grew long and lush.  I stopped because it became a pain but I really shoudl start again.  The chemo I'm on now doesn't cause hair loss but my eyelashes seem to be getting pretty skimpy. 

A tip:  Don't use taht horrible brush that comes with it, buy a nice thin liner and use that. 

My sister lives in the States (I am in Canada) and she sent me up a bottle of Latisse.  It is my understanding that as with other hair growth products, it won't help you to keep your lashes, and that you shouldn't start applying it until the hair has begun to reappear on it's own.

My onc was concerned and warned me about the possible iris discolouration issues because some does seep into your eye - I wasn't worried about it because my eyes are a very very dark brown.  In Canada, Latisse is prescription only and my onc wouldn't have given me one - actually if my sister didn't send it too me, I likely wouldn't have worried about it.

I did notice that my lashes and brows (I put a little on them too) were very thick and I kind of fell out of the habit of applying it so I definitely noticed some thinning.  Many people's lashes and brows thin again a few months out of chemo so I wasn't sure if it was chemo related or because I had stopped the Latisse.  My sister's advice was once everything got "thickened" up, to use it about one a week to maintain.  I just got lazy.

Coolbreeze is right - don't use the little brushes that come with Latisse, use a liner brush - your Latisse will last longer too.

Spoke with a friend who went through this and she recommended Brian Joseph's lash & brow conditioning gel.

She said she never lost her lashes or brows. Checked with my chemo docs and ok to use.  I am just getting my 2nd treatment but will report back if I have same results.

Should start using before chemo starts if possible.

Rose

My onc said no to using during chemo

Schoolmom:  Funny how every MO is different.  And we're both in Houston.   I'm at Baylor.  Where are you getting treatment?

Hi MinusTwo!  I was wondering if you kept your lashes and brows...if u happened to use Latisse for them too after chemo.  I have had 2 rounds so far and just thinning for both. I want to start Latisse now during chemo but I have heard mixed reviews.  thanks! 

I've used Latisse on and off for years. When I found out my ILC was back after 6yrs this past June, I started using it again every day (lining my top lashes all the way across AND using an extra drop or two to "color in" my brows from end to end). I've finished 9 of 12 weekly Taxol treatments and my lashes and brows look great, though what I have right now are definitely a result of Latisse and not my regular lashes (which are definitely gone). I have light gray blue eyes and haven't had any issues with darkening. As others stated above AND an RN told me from a training she attended on Latisse, unless you're using it as eye drops for an extended period of time (which of course you never would), your eye color will not change. 

As for your fingers, toes and nails, I've kept mine painted black with a nailtique base coat the entire time, and I strap snack sized ziploc bags of ice to them over very thin cotton socks and gloves the entire hour the Taxol is dripping (to prep the bags, fill them with 1/3 rubbing alcohol and 2/3 water, then lay flat them flat in the freezer. The alcohol makes them more pliable). You can use ace bandages to secure them on your feet and then place bags by your side and kind of squish your fingers into them). I always bring extra bags in case I need more ice and transport them in a tiny cooler. The ice isn't fun, but its worth it. I've had zero issues; finger and toe nails all look as healthy as ever. I also think the ice has possibly helped with neuropathy, since I haven't had that either. FYI- I've heard the boots don't get or stay cold enough, so that's why I went with the homemade ice route.  

If you have problems with mouth sores, you can also try holding ice chips in your mouth. So far that's worked for me as well.

I have no experience with the cold caps. My dr wouldn't allow me to use one because there is apparently a very very rare chance of BC returning in the scalp, so he said better to be safe then sorry and let the chemo get into my scalp as well. 

I hope at least some of this info helps!