Spring Break
Lashes Poppin'
FDA approves new eyelash lengthening, thickening and darkening drug for use
Frank Pellegrino
Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: Money/Health
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From mascara to eyelash curlers; any quick fix for a night is often desired. The problem was that as soon as the night is over, the results are lost, and the consumer involved is left with the same problem.
A report written by Miranda Hitti, medical writer for WebMD, the pharmaceutical company Allergan might finally have the solution.
Latisse, a product of Allergan, has become the first FDA-approved drug to promote eyelash growth.
Hitti reports that eyelash growth was discovered as a side effect of Lumigan, a drug used for glaucoma patients.
Danielle Spak, Aesthetican Manager at Lotus Spa, 4956 Bullis Farm Rd., said a lot of patients who were taking Lumigan came back and their eye lashes were extremely long.
After some research, doctors began to realize what was causing this dramatic change.
"What they found is that one of the key ingredients in Lumigan, some type of protein peptide, increases the growth cycle of your eyelashes from about two weeks to 10 to 12," Spak said.
Spak put this explanation into perspective.
"It's like when you try to grab an eyelash and like eight of them fall out; that's because they are on a two-week growth cycle together," Spak said. "Imagine how thick your lashes would get if you could extend that from two weeks to 12."
Senior Christina De La Rosa was surprised that a product like this could be developed.
"If it works I think it's a good idea," De La Rosa said. "I would have to get more information about the product … but if it works I would totally go for it."
Latisse is taken similarly as an eyelash growth serum. Having the appearance of liquid eyeliner, it is applied at the base of the lash line on the top lash.
Results for Latisse should be seen relatively quickly and are very common.
"You look for results in six to eight weeks … and they are pretty much typical across the board," Spak said.
Fuller eyelashes are not the only benefit to this new product.
"Doctors are currently looking into whether or not Latisse can help maintain the correct pressure in your actual eyeball," Spak said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Ozy M.
posted 2/03/09 @ 2:31 AM CST
This is an excellently researched article. Not only did you get an official (Ms. Spak), an affected person (Ms. De La Rosa), and a document, (Hitti's report), but you also checked with every individual woman throughout the ages as to whether they wanted eyelashes with more length and volume, since not doing so and writing a sentence like the one you started this article with would be a generalizing hyperbole. (Continued…)
Nicole
posted 2/18/09 @ 7:46 PM CST
Why would anyone want to put a DRUG on their eye that gives you dark circles and red itchy eyes... I would think that out weighs having more eyelashes. (Continued…)
Jennifer
posted 9/16/09 @ 4:07 AM CST
i agree about generalizing it but i love mine full. i heard about the side effects, irratations and red eye. i'm using Revitalash and i haven't experienced any side effects whatsoever. (Continued…)
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