Eyelash Enhancer Carries Risk

Seek consultation before using eyelash enhancer

About one year ago I wrote an article on eyelash enhancers. Eyelash enhancers had just started to look like the new ‘Botox’ in the beauty industry. One year after being approved by the FDA for distribution via prescription, complaints are cropping up of unwanted side effects from use of eyelash enhancers. Latisse, an eyelash enhancer as seen advertised on TV and in magazines featuring Brooke Shields, has been easily accessible without a doctor’s visit or a written prescription. You might think . . . no big whoop . . . but read on.
“eyelash enhancer gave O’Connor purplish eyelids”

The Latisse brand eyelash enhancer, as well as others, has been available at salons, spas and health clubs as well as online without a doctor’s evaluation and prescription. When the F.D.A. approved this product for marketing, they made a determination that the side effects or misuse or inappropriate use could cause harm, and that’s why they restricted it to a prescription drug, said Carmen A. Catizone, the executive director of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, which represents state agencies that regulate pharmacies and pharmacists. If it was completely safe to use without doctor supervision, they would have deemed it over-the-counter.

The Eyelash Enhancer Complaints Surfacing

• Eye color change from blue or green to brown
• Eyelid discoloration
• Redness, itchiness and irritation
• Unintended hair growth

The New York Times reported this week that most people using Latisse eyelash enhancer have few, if any, complaints. But, eye color change may be permanent and if used incorrectly you may enhance hair growth in places other than your eyelashes! The directions say to dab onto top lid along the lash line only, not the bottom lashes. It could apparently seep down the face and grow hair where you don’t want it!

Part of this NYT’s article showed up in my local paper as a local Minneapolis woman is featured as one who has had her problems with the eyelash enhancer. Cynthia O’Connor, an interior designer in Minneapolis purchased Latisse from the gal who does her facials in the office of a plastic surgeon. She was not asked her medical history, never met with the doctor and was not told any of the risks.

Using the eyelash enhancer gave O’Connor purplish eyelids and a purple hue under the eyes. She said, It looked like I hadn’t slept in a month. It was horrible. She stopped using Latisse five months ago but some discoloration is still noticeable.

Without a doctor’s guidance, it’s a cumulative risk, said Dr. Andrew G. Iwach, executive director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco. Let’s say you use the product once inappropriately, or outside the approved guidelines, you might get away with it, but this drug is being applied repeatedly over weeks, months and potentially years. The consequences, or risk of consequences, add up over time.

There is big room for profit in selling eyelash enhancers. They sell anywhere between $89.00 to $150.00 per tube and are only effective for as long as they are being used.
So buyer beware ladies!� It’s your one and only baby blues we’re talking about here!!
See NYT’s article