Maybe you haven’t come to recognize the name right away, but if you’ve seen Brooke Shields fluttering her eyelashes in print and broadcast ads recently, you’ve caught a glimpse of a new product: Latisse®. Created by Allergan, the same people who brought the incredibly popular BOTOX® Cosmetic to market, Latisse lengthens, darkens and thickens eyelashes, according to its famous spokesmodel.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Latisse for use as an eyelash booster just a year ago. You’re not alone, then, if you have questions about the product. Is it safe? Does it work? Is it worth the cost?
From my point of view, the early days after the FDA gives thumbs up to a new product can be tricky. No matter how many clinical trials a product has gone through, some cause unwanted effects that show up after widespread adoption by the public and/or following years of use. Just as with other “breakthrough” products, it’s a good idea to do some research and err on the side of caution before you decide to take the plunge.
Even if you’re familiar with Latisse, you may not know that the FDA originally approved it in 2001 as a treatment for glaucoma. As attorneyatlaw.com, a legal information site for the general public, explains, “Allergan researchers discovered that bimatoprost, the active ingredient in its glaucoma drug called Lumigan, had the side effect of making eyelashes darker, fuller, and longer. The company then asked the FDA to approve the drug as a cosmetic treatment, to be called Latisse, and the agency granted the new use of the drug in late 2008.”
Just two weeks ago, however, the FDA sent a letter of reprimand to Allergan, finding that the company’s promotional materials, “omit and minimize risks associated with Latisse.” The letter, from a regulatory review officer with the FDA, found the company deficient in covering risks such as: increased brown pigmentation in the iris, discoloration of skin around the eyes, hair growth outside the areas of treatment, inflammation and infection and the potential for absorption by contact lenses. The FDA gave Allergan until September 24th, 2009, to correct the materials or make a case why they do not need to take action. (See the FDA’s information on Latisse by going to www.fda.gov and putting “Latisse” in the search window.)
Before you start wondering why on earth anyone would use Latisse, there’s another side to the story. On realself.com, a Web site that’s a great resource for women’s own reviews of products and treatments, including before and after photos, reviewers were overwhelmingly positive. Many women could point to a reason to be particularly unhappy with their lashes, ranging from skimpy Asian lashes to lashes lost to menopause to blonde lashes that were almost unnoticeable. Others simply wanted fuller lashes. One woman said, “Run, don’t walk, to buy Latisse,” while another commented, “I will never stop using it.”
That brings up another consideration—the cost of Latisse. It runs about $100 for a month’s supply. But consider this: if you discontinue using the product your lashes will eventually revert to their former look. So that $100 could become $1200 each year and, if you never stop using it, well, you get the picture.
As with any other decision about your health and your looks, this one is yours alone to make. If you have always been dissatisfied with your lashes and feel that a lush, dark fringe would delight you, maybe Latisse is a good choice. It seems to make a difference for most women who have tried it. Maybe that’s just the thing to do—try it. Use the product with care, exactly as directed, and be patient for several weeks. Chances are you’ll soon know if Latisse is worth batting an eyelash over.