A few years ago, Big Pharma claimed it accidentally discovered a “cure” for thinning eyelashes. Allergan was marketing its Lumigan medication for patients with glaucoma. Then eye doctors and their patients noticed an interesting side effect – longer, lusher eyelashes.
In no time, Allergan started marketing the drug as “Latisse,” the first and only FDA-approved medication to treat thinning eyelashes.
You can imagine what happened. Women who always wanted fuller, thicker, longer eyelashes rushed to try it.
Of course, it was a prescription medication. It required a trip to the doctor. And at $120 every month, it was no bargain. Then some unscrupulous docs and spas started selling it on the internet. No need for an exam. No instruction on how to use it. No warnings about side effects.
Women soon realized they were paying a hefty price for longer, thicker eyelashes. And I’m not talking about the money.
The Dark Side of Prescription Lash Lengtheners
Allergan conducted their own clinical trial on 278 women.1 They applied Latisse or a placebo to the base of their eyelashes once a day. At the end of the trial 78% of the women on Latisse noticed a significant increase in eyelash length, fullness and darkness.
After 16 weeks, the lashes of the women on Latisse were 25% longer, 106% fuller and 18% darker than when they started.
Sounds great. But let’s look at the side effects.
One common complaint is redness, itchiness and irritation around the eyes. Some women develop ingrown lashes, where the lashes get so long they scratch the cornea.
Other women have their eyelids turn purple. For some, the dark purple spreads under their eyes giving them an exhausted, haunted look. But it gets worse.
Latisse can grow hair where you don’t even want it. If the liquid runs down your face, you could have hair growing on your cheeks.
And here’s the really strange thing. Some women with light colored eyes – blue or hazel – have their eyes slowly turn brown. Permanently brown.
Safe and Natural Secrets For Lush Eyelashes
I don’t prescribe Latisse for my patients. There are better alternatives without the side effects. Non-prescription lash-enhancing serums on the market work very well.
But make sure you find one with enough of the active ingredients. Otherwise you’re wasting your money. Remember, the higher up on the list an ingredient is, the more of it is in the product.
What’s the right active ingredient? The best lash formulas use peptides – chains of amino acids. These encourage long, thick eyelash growth by stimulating keratin genes.
Look for peptides “Myristoyl Pentapeptide 17” and “Myristoyl Pentapeptide 16” on the ingredient list. These were proven in clinical studies to increase lash length by 25%.
But these lash enhancers can also be pricey. At less than $100 for a two month supply, they’re better than Latisse. But you have to keep using them to continue getting the effects. That can add up.
For much less, you can lengthen and thicken your lashes naturally. Here are three things you can do at home to improve the look of your eyelashes:
1. Nourish Your Lashes. Just as biotin (vitamin B7) nourishes your hair and nails, it supports healthy lashes. Foods high in biotin include eggs, salmon, sardines, pork, yogurt, whole grains, and animal organs like liver and kidneys. If you’re supplementing, I recommend 2,500 micrograms (mcg) of biotin every day.
2. Be Gentle With Your Lashes. Gently swipe your lashes with grapeseed oil to remove mascara. Don’t pull or tug at them. Also, try to avoid waterproof mascaras since they have a tendency to dry out lashes and make them brittle.
3. Moisturize Your Lashes. Natural oils contain vitamins and minerals that not only enlarge your lashes but also moisturize and condition them. Try dabbing a small amount of olive oil or coconut oil on your eyelids at the base of your top eyelashes every night. You should start seeing signs of new healthier and stronger growth after a month or two.
1. Latreille, J, et al. “Association between dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and severity of skin photo-aging in a middle-aged Caucasian population.” J Dermatol Sci. 2013 Jul 23. pii: S0923-1811(13)00250-8.