Eyelash Safety First At Believe

According to an article recently published in The Chicago Tribune, growing longer eyelashes by using pharmaceuticals might be downright dangerous.

Latisse®, for example, a drug that can treat the (new) medical condition "inadequate eyelashes," has a few unpleasant side effects. It may grow excessive hair in places you don't want (or expect). It could turn your blue eyes brown. It could darken your lower eyelids, giving your raccoon eyes. And it might make your eyes red and itchy.

So for about $100 a month, you get longer eyelashes (at least till you stop using the drug) but unless lost your eyelashes from chemotherapy, Latisse may not be worth the risk of its side effects.

Commercials aimed at a general audience make the product seem more like make-up than a powerful prescription drug, Consumer Reports associate editor Jamie Kopf Hirsh wrote in Adwatch.

The Food and Drug Administration warned the manufacturer, Allergan, that promotional materials on the drug’s Web site omitted or minimized certain risks.
 




"The Latisse commercial embodies pretty much everything that’s wrong with direct-to-consumer advertising," Kopf Hirsh wrote.

Hirsh doesn't just mean using celebrities such as Brooke Shields to sell prescription drugs, or manufacturing a need by "taking a legitimate medical condition and broadening its definition to the point where it could apply to almost anyone." The commercials also downplay dangers while promoting the drugs as lifestyle enhancers.

Kopf Hirsh wrote, "Unlike other consumer products, like refrigerators or toasters, drugs have side effects—sometimes nasty ones."

In his article "Lashing out at Latisse", science blogger Abel Pharmboy  points out that the drugs used for eyelash enhancement have a very good purpose for being—they help lower the interocular pressure in the eyes of glaucoma patients.

The FDA does not recognize "cosmeceuticals" as a product class but stepped in because cosmetics companies were selling unapproved drugs. About the same time, Allergan, manufacturer of the Lumigan brand of bimatoprost, sought approval for a product called Latisse, comprised of the same compound, but applied to the eyelash line with a sterile brush rather than into the eyes as ophthalmic drops. The FDA regulates this latter product because it was approved to treat hypotrichosis, the lack or paucity of eyelashes.

Nevertheless, it was clearly being sold as a cosmetic, judging, if from nothing else, that their advertisement used Brooke Shields.

In the FDA's ongoing surveillance of promotional claims for approved drugs, Allergan received a warning letter from the agency in 2009 citing several offenses. It appears that the company was judged to have underemphasized the risks of the drug in changing iris color, causing darkening of the eyelash line, or in growing hair on other parts of the skin where the drug might be accidentally applied.

The company does appear to have responded to the FDA letter. The following text is now displayed prominently at the bottom of the Latisse.com:

Important Safety Information

If you are using prescription products for lowering eye pressure or have a history of eye pressure problems, only use LATISSE® under close doctor supervision. May cause eyelid skin darkening which may be reversible, and there is potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent. There is a potential for hair growth to occur in areas where LATISSE® solution comes in repeated contact with skin surfaces. If you develop or experience any eye problems or have eye surgery, consult your doctor immediately about continued use of LATISSE®. The most common side effects after using LATISSE® solution are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness.

If all of this sounds a little scary to you (it does to us), please consider a safer route to gorgeous lashes that we offer here at Believe: eyelash tinting.

Vegetable-based dye (black, brown, blue, gray or a combo to suit your complexion) is used to make your pale lashes dark and bold. A patch test is performed to make sure you have no allergies. When that is done, upper and lower lashes both are painted (this takes about 15 minutes), then the dye sets (penetrating for about five minutes).

When the dye is washed away--voila! Darker lashes!

The color lasts for 3-5 weeks and means you'll have glamorous eyes around the clock. If you have light lashes, not a minute to spare in the morning or an active lifestyle (skiing or snowboarding anyone?) lash tinting is perfect for you. Best of all, it is safe (even for contact lens wearers.) After getting your lashes tinted, say goodbye to streaks, smears, or raccoon eyes.

Give us a call at Believe to set up an appointment for lash tinting (or we’ll be happy to add on the service to your next hair appointment). Get perfect lashes to frame those windows of your soul.

 

Lashing Out (In A Good Way)

Batting your eyes has long been a woman's prerogative (too bad hiding the rest of your face behind a fan while you flutter went out of style. Perhaps we should resurrect that flirtatious move?) The come-hither power of a well-directed glance has shone from behind belly dancer's veils for centuries, and glancing down demurely has as much power today as it did during Jane Austen's time. Nowadays a woman's eyes get put to other uses, too. Your mother was right when she told you to look people right in the eyes during a conversation, and a direct glance is as important as a firm handshake during business dealings. 

So if eyes are the windows of the soul, consider the lashes are the silk draperies and care for them accordingly. True, genetics plays a part in eyelash length and just like the hair on your head, eyelash hair gets more sparse as we get older, but there are some things you can do to get the longest, most luscious lashes possible:

Take it easy on them: If you find yourself rubbing or scratching your eyelids--especially at the time of year when all the plants are releasing pollen-- invest in hypo-allergenic eye drops and an over-the-counter antihistamine to fight hay fever. Wash your face with cold water (lashes too) when you come in from outside, particularly on a windy day. That will wash any stray pollen out of your lashes, before it irritates your eyes. If your allergic reactions get worse, see your doctor. (Remember allergies can develop anytime.)

Keep things clean: Never go to bed with mascara, eyeshadow, or eyeliner on. Always remove every speck with a gentle (hypoallergenic is good here, too) eye makeup remover. Believe carries a wonderful one by GIELLA.  Disposal pads or cotton squares are better than cotton balls (which leave little fibers behind). Replace your eyeshadow, liner, and mascara every 2-3 months. Bacteria breeds in old makeup and can lead to eye inflammation and possible infection. Every month or so, give your eyes their own spa treatment. Hold a clean hot washcloth over your eyes (reheating several times with hot water as the washcloth cools) and then scrubbing along the lash line with one of the PCA cleansers sold at Believe. This opens the glands along the eyelid which get clogged with dirt and oil, giving the lash follicles the best chance to grow.

Speaking of oil--Just like all the rest of your hair, your lashes need moisturizing, too (they have just survived a long, dry winter). After cleansing at night, use an eyelash brush (available in any drugstore) to coat your lashes with olive or almond oil (no perfumed oils here) or plain old petroleum jelly. Let the oil soak in overnight and your lashes will be moist, shiny, and stronger by morning.

What goes in, comes out: Drinking enough water (take a sports bottle with you wherever you go) not only keeps your skin hydrated, but your lashes, too. Taking your vitamins, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, and making sure your diet includes fish oils helps your lashes grow healthy--and healthy lashes break less. What you put in your body shows on the outside. Playwright Oscar Wilde wasn't kidding when he said our faces are our autobiographies.

False eyelashes: From individual lash extensions to full-out black fringes and Swarovski eye crystals, false eyelashes are all the rage. If you must channel one of the Kardashian sisters, be sure to follow the package directions and remove all the glue carefully (and as quickly as possible). Leftover residue can harm your real lashes.

Growing eyelashes with pharmaceutical serums: True, some users grow long, thick lashes from using one of the serums now available like LATISSE®. Other users report permanent eyelash discolorations, scaling, redness, irritation, and even eyelash loss! We recommend talking over using any of these products with your ophthalmologist or eye care professional before deciding whether to give any of them a try. Also, do your own homework. Research on-line consumer reports, reviews, and advice from users. Be smart and get informed.

Eyelash Tinting: We are thrilled to be able to offer this service now at Believe. You can kiss your mascara goodbye with eyelash tinting. Vegetable-based dye (black, brown, blue, gray or a combo to suit your complexion) is used to make your pale lashes dark and bold. A patch test is performed to make sure you have no allergies. When that is done, upper and lower lashes both are painted (this takes about 15 minutes), then the dye sets (penetrating for about five minutes). When the dye is washed away--voila! Darker lashes! The color lasts for 3-5 weeks and means you'll have glamorous eyes around the clock. If you have light lashes or an active lifestyle (swimming or tennis anyone?) or barely enough time to swipe lipstick on in the morning--lash tinting is perfect for you. Best of all, it is safe (yes, even for contact lense wearers.) After getting your lashes tinted, you'll be batting your eyes with the best of them—with no streaks, smears, or raccoon eyes. Give Shannon a call to set up an appointment or ask about lash tinting at your next hair appointment. Everyone can use a little more (positive) drama in their life.

Here's looking at you, kid --and your lush new lashes,

Lisa (owner of Believe)