Lumigan, a prescription eye drop medication used to treat glaucoma, is now shaking things up in the cosmetic industry and ruffling a few feathers along the way. While using it for its intended purpose, to lower the internal pressure of the eye and prevent damage to optic nerve in glaucoma patients, doctors and patients using the drop noticed something more- the growth of thicker, longer, more ‘lustrious’ eyelashes after using Lumigan for a period of one to three months. Allergan, maker of Botox and of Lumigan, is now looking at this medication and its unique side effect a little closer and so is everyone else.
It is not yet known how bimatoprost, the active ingredient in Lumigan, changes the structure of eyelashes but that did not stop some from taking advantage of its off-label use. Cosmetic companies threw caution to the wind and began adding Lumigan or similar prostaglandins to their mascara, not considering the potential unknown risks to their consumers. Eye lash enhancer products were sold in containers resembling mascara tubes with an applicator brush or tip and instructions to apply the product to the lashline. These eyelash enhancer products sold from $140 to $160 in spas and some cosmetic dermatology offices. In November 2007, the FDA raided a warehouse in San Jose California owned by Jan Marini Skin Research and seized thousands of tubes of Age Intervention Eyelash stating that the product contained a drug that was ‘unapproved and misbranded.’ An FDA spokesperson commented on the seize saying Age Intervention Eyelash, if used together with a prescription glaucoma drug, could increase the risk of optic-nerve damage. Used on its own, the product “may cause other adverse effects,” including swelling of the retina and inflammation in the eye “which may lead to decreased vision.” (source: WSJ 11/19/07)
Besides those serious, sight-threatening side effects, prostaglandins can also cause ‘darkening (increase in pigmentation) of the eye color, eyelid, and eyelashes. ‘ Darkening of the eyelid and eyelashes may be reversed if the drug is stopped, darkening of the iris is not reversible and will be permanent! (source Allergan) This is a huge issue! This means if you have green eyes or a light iris color, you may end up turning the color of your iris to brown, PERMANENTLY! I don’t think the average consumer who comes into my office looking for the latest ‘beauty secret’ to make their lashes longer realizes or understands this! Other unpleasant side effects include eye redness and itchy eyes.
Allergan itself filed patent infringement lawsuits against cosmetic companies they suspect may be using a prostaglandin in their products. They are rumored to be testing Lumigan and conducting research to possibly develop their own lash-enhancing cosmetic product that has been proven safe for consumer cosmetic use. This would be similar to what they did with Botox, first using it for many years to treat eyelid spasms and other neuromuscular problems before testing and marketing it for its more popular anti-aging treatment for wrinkles today.
On this issue, I feel that a lot more research and testing needs to be done before any non-glaucoma patients or cosmetology connoisseurs have access to this drug. Right now, it is a drug with a purpose. Until more testing and modification is done, I would not recommend the use of this product by anyone unless you have glaucoma and are prescribed it by a doctor for that purpose. The beauty benefits do not outweigh the permanent risks. *
Stick with Maybelline, girls!
*Recent Update under Comments!
Thanks to Dr. Dao’s tip, I was able to find out that Allergan has successfully gained FDA approval for “Latisse” -their Lumigan-derived Lash Enhancer. Red Flags are still raised in my mind as to its safety. On the new product website, in the fine print at the bottom, Allergan still states that using Latisse may cause permanent, irreversible darkening of the iris among other problems.
As an optometrist, I have seen how people can abuse their contact lenses and how colored contact lenses are illegally sold in tanning salons and from street vendors in NYC without a prescription or an exam. Like colored contacts, patients who are not dispensed Latisse by an eye care professional have the potential to abuse it and “share it” with their friends who may not have been warned of its potential hazards. And even in the hands of a cosmetic dermatologist, are they going to call the patient’s eye doctor to ensure there were no contraindications found during the patient’s last eye exam which would warrant the prostaglandin unsafe to use?
My advice regarding Latisse, remains the same. It’s not worth the risk. Avoid it and seek safer alternatives to lash enhancement.
Murphod:
Your comment was very helpful. As an optometrist, I’m curious to hear what your opinion is now that Latisse has been around for almost a year. Any changes or do you still firmly believe people should stay away from Latisse/Lumigan for lash enhancement?
Ailun
Hi Ailun,
Thank you for your comment.
I have not presribed Latisse and I do not intend to do so. In my opinion, it is not worth the risk of possible permanent iris darkening. I do not think that patients fully understand that possible and permanent side effect. The color of your eyes is a part of who you are, I would hate to change that. Also, Lumigan (when prescribed as a glaucoma medication) is notorious for causing redness of the conjunctiva (whites of the eyes), not a very pretty look for someone who accidentally mis-applies Latisse. I have also heard of other ‘mishaps’ when Latisse or Lumigan is not applied correctly.
I think doctors’ opinions on this topic vary widely. I am sure there are many optometrists and ophthalmologists out there willing to prescribe Latisse but I tend to be conservative in my practice, taking the utmost care to protect my patients from even a small risk of injury, etc. I think that many patients being prescribed Latisse do not have the medical condition, hypotrichosis (lack of the proper number and thickness of natural eyelashes), but rather just have normal eyelashes and want them to magically become longer, thicker and darker. There are so many mascaras out on the market today to help you achieve this without the need of a potentially hazardous prescription drug, why not just use them? They are cheaper (much), safer, and more readily available. Like I said, if you have clinically significant hypotrichosis, then fine, use Latisse. But if you do not, please first consider the risks before jumping on the Latisse bandwagon.
PS- I personally like Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara but I know that Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara is very popular among makeup artists.
Thank you for being responsible.