FDA approves eyelash-booster FDA health officials have recently approved Latisse as an effective medication in promoting longer, thicker and darker eyelashes.
Latisee origins from a prescription eye drop, Lumigan, originally used to relieve eye pressure and treat glaucoma; eyelash growth was reported as one of its side effects.
Recent studies have reported that the drug can effectively promote eyelash growth, thickness, and darkness when applied to eyelash roots as eyeliner.
Eye redness is the only side effect reported following the use of the drug; this mild temporary complication, however, goes away when the drug is discontinued.
Lumigan's prescription information notes warn consumers about darkening of the eyelid skin and eye color (increased iris pigmentation), which are permanent but not noticeable in short-term use.
This adverse reaction is not reported following the use of Latisse as the new drug contains only 5 percent of a Lumigan drop and it is not directly applied to the eyes.
Would you pay $4 per day for longer, lusher lashes? Well, it is cheaper than a cup of (Starbucks) coffee....
Yesterday, we reported on Latisse (our new lash obesession), the first FDA-approved lash-enhancer that's clinically proven to give lashes 25 percent longer, 106 percent thicker and 18 percent darker after 16 weeks of use. Today, we talked to the company to answer some of our (and your) most pressing questions. And they gave us this rather stunning before and after shot, along with a product shot (after the jump).
What we learned: There's actually a real name for "inadequate eyelashes." Hypotrichosis is yet another condition to add to our hypochondriac laundry list. The full fringe-tastical Q&A is after the jump.
Q: What exactly does Latisse do? A: It treats hypotrichosis (another name for inadequate eyelashes) by enhancing eyelash prominence as measured by increases in the length, thickness, and darkness of the eyelashes, and is approved by the FDA.
Q: How long can I use Latisse? A: According to Allergan, the makers of Latisse, (see their newly launched website for more information, www.latisse.com) each prescription lasts 30 days, and there is no recommended stop time. The "peak effect" comes at roughly four months of use. Speak to your prescribing doctor about the length of treatment that's right for you.
Q: Will my lashes stay longer forever? A: After you stop using the drug they will slowly go back to normal with your next eyelash growth cycle (this varies from person to person but is between a few weeks to a couple months).
Q: Which types of doctors can prescribe Latisse; is it only eye doctors? A: No. In most states your regular doctor can prescribe it. Eye doctors, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons are other options. Also, there is a "Find A Doctor" locator tool on the Latisse site.
Q: How long before I start to see results? A: Eight weeks, with peak results around four months.
Q: Can I use Latisse if I've had Lasik or wear contacts? A: These are questions for your doctor. You should not use Latisse if you have an active eye condition, including an eye infection, or have broken or irritated skin on your eyelid. And if you are using products for elevated intraocular pressure, be sure to discuss this with your doctor. Contact lenses should be removed prior to use of Latisee and may be reinserted 15 minutes following its application.
Q: I've heard of a side effect that turns light irises dark. Is this true? A: Good question. Latisse is an offshoot of another drug called Lumigen, which is used for glaucoma. Latisse shares the same active ingredient as Lumigen, although, according to the company that makes both, Latisse has only 5% of that ingredient and is applied only to the eyelid, not into the eye itself. Iris pigmentation was not reported for Latisse, but in less than 1% of Lumigan users, permanent brown iris pigmentation was reported. For other possible side effects, go to www.latisse.com and speak with your doctor.
LATISSE Lash Enhancer at The Skin Center Medical Spa A new FDA-approved cosmetic product, LATISSE, designed to lengthen, strengthen and darken eyelashes is now available at The Skin Center Medical Spa with locations in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, Ohio. LATISSE, developed by Allergan, the makers of BOTOX Cosmetic, is the first and only science-based treatment approved by the FDA to enhance eyelash prominence as measured by increases in length, thickness and darkness of eyelashes.
The Skin Center Medical Spa will incorporate LATISSE into its exclusive EyeQ treatment which is a minimally-invasive eye enhancement breakthrough designed to refresh and rejuvenate tired or older eyes by eliminating wrinkles, the appearance of under eye circles and fat pads in just one quick office visit. EyeQ incorporates the use of BOTOX Cosmetic, injectable wrinkle fillers and topical treatments such as LATISSE to create a customized rejuvenation treatment based on the individual needs of each client.
“LATISSE is a tremendous breakthrough for the revitalization of brittle, weak and short lashes,” said Dr. Dominic A. Brandy, board-certified cosmetic surgeon and founding medical director of The Skin Center Medical Spa. “This product actually promotes new growth and lash thickening, which is very unique. Similar products on the market only impact existing lashes, this is the first product to actually enhance lash growth which is a very desirable quality for a youthful eye area.”
Now available at The Skin Center Medical Spa, LATISSE is a once-daily prescription treatment applied to the base of the upper eyelashes with a sterile, single-use-per-eye disposable applicator. LATISSE users can expect to experience longer, fuller and darker eyelashes in as little as eight weeks, with full results in 16 weeks. To maintain effect, continued treatment with LATISSE is required. If use of LATISSE is discontinued, eyelashes will gradually return to where they were prior to treatment over a period of weeks to months (average eyelash hair cycle).
The LATISSE Bimatoprost is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in the formulation of LATISSE and is a structural prostaglandin analog, which is a lipid compound derived from fatty acids designed to bind to prostaglandin (PG) receptors. PG receptors are present in hair, particularly in the dermal papilla and outer root sheath. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, PG receptors are thought to be involved in the development and regrowth of the hair follicle, by increasing the percent of hairs in, and the duration of, the anagen or growth phase.
LATISSE is available in the United States through a physician’s office only and is subject to all U.S. guidelines applicable to dispensing a prescription product.
The Skin Center Medical Spa, located in Pennsylvania and Ohio, is the region’s premier, full-service medical spa offering the latest advancements in non-invasive and minimally invasive skin rejuvenation for the treatment of aging skin, hyper-pigmentation, rosacea, unwanted hair, varicose and spider veins, active acne and acne scarring. The Skin Center Medical Spa was founded in 1981 in Pittsburgh, PA, by Dominic Brandy, MD, board-certified cosmetic surgeon. For more information about LATISSE, contact The Skin Center Medical Spa at 1-800-429-1151.
A FDA advisory panel recommended approving the drug ‘Latisse’ to promote longer, thicker, darker eyelashes. Latisee is derived from the glaucoma drug Lumigan, which is approved by FDA since 2001, as an eye drop. The drug company Allergan Inc., studied the drug to know how it promoted eyelash growth, thickness, and darkness when used as an eye liner at the roots of the eyelashes on the upper eyelid.
For study, 137 people used Latisse and 141 people used a placebo solution for 16 weeks and it was found that the Latisse group has thicker, longer and darker eyelashes at the end of the study. The people of the Latisse group were more satisfied with their lashes than those who used the placebo. According to Allergan documents submitted to the FDA, the side effects of drug were mild and temporary. The prescribing information contains that it may darken eyelid skin and gradually increases pigmentation of the iris and making eyes browner. However the iris color changes, may not be noticeable for several months to years, may be permanent but don't progress after stopping the drug. Each Latisse dose uses only 5% of a Lumigan drop.
The FDA panel recommended further studies to assess Latisse's use in certain groups of patients, such as those young people who lost their eyelashes because of chemotherapy, says Allergan news release. The drug is not approved yet and if FDA approves it, Latisse’s will be a prescription drug, not an over-the-counter cosmetic. According to the company news release, Allergan anticipates launching Latisse in 2009.
Drugs That Grow Eyelashes The real thing is hard to beat. But now there may be a way to get lashes to grow on their own, no matter what your age. Never mind the fact that eyelashes have a real purpose - to protect the eye from dust and other foreign particles. Eyelashes, for many people, are also a symbol of beauty. But as we age, eyelashes seem to grow scarce. So it's no wonder women are now batting their eyes at an anti-glaucoma medication with the unusual side effect of making lashes grow. But, how safe is it? You can coat them with mascara, slather on the eyeliner, glue on false ones or even have a transplant. For so many women, long, thick, dark eyelashes are worth the effort because they're thought to project beauty, youth and sex appeal. Sue Burns says she has what many women are going to want - the ultimate solution - a way to make eyelashes grow for real. "I'm like, it can not be that easy," Burns said. About two months ago, she started brushing on a medication called Lumigan. It's a prescription medication to treat glaucoma, the leading cause of blindness. One of the side effects - it seems to stimulate lash growth. Burns says within a month, hers were sprouting so much they were hitting up against her sunglasses. "I'm like, oh my heavens this works," she said. Burns does not have glaucoma. But she got the prescription for the medication at the Ritacca Laser and Cosmetic Center in Vernon Hills. Many staff members at the center are also using it. Once a day, they brush it on the base of their eyelashes. Many see results in a couple of weeks. "When I feel like they are long enough, I stop using it," said Dawn Davidson, Ritacca. The effect does not seem to be permanent. "Definitely I noticed a difference, but I am the non-compliant patient so to speak. I really think it takes consistence for the product to work," said La Toya Norman, Ritacca. Ophthalmologist Dan Ritacca says he has no problem prescribing the drug for an off-label use. And others are doing the same. Ritacca says even though he feels the medication is safe, he still requires patients to undergo an exam every six months. "I'm seeing a lot of happy patients and a lot of excitement in the field," Ritacca said. "For people who don't have eyelashes who may have undergone chemotherapy or just weren't blessed with these long beautiful lashes." This is the latest in the blurring of the line between cosmetics and drugs. The active ingredient in Lumigan is called bimatoprost. It's part of a class of drugs called prostaglandins. There are other glaucoma drugs with prostaglandins. They treat the disease by reducing pressure in the eye. But why they make lashes grow is still a mystery. Loyola ophthalmologist Anad Mantravadi agreed the medication is fairly safe but says he would not prescribe the glaucoma drug just to help someone grow bigger lashes. "I think people would be less tolerant of having inflammation inside the eye or swelling in the back of the retina when the intended use was just for lengthening eye lashes," Mantravadi said. Doctors say the medication can cause darkening of skin around the eyes or it can change eye color. Much rarer side effects include swelling and inflammation. Still, women who can find a doctor willing to order up the medication are more than comfortable giving it a try. "This is wonderful to have your own lashes," Burns said. Allergan, the company which makes the anti-wrinkle drug Botox also makes Lumigan. It has the exclusive patents on prostaglandins for use in stimulating eyelash growth and has stopped other companies from using them in their products. Allergan also stresses it does not approve of the off-label use of Lumigan. But the company is planning on coming out with its own eyelash product and expects Food and Drug Administration approval sometime next year. Watch Video http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6517638#bodyText
Miss Atom, the beauty contest for the Russian nuclear industry, has earned a fair amount of press, in part because of the now-infamous photo of a post-Soviet hottie posing in front of some cooling towers. But the anti-nuke crowd has its own contest: The Environmentals.
The rules? "Use real nuclear power plants as backdrop for fashion or glamor shots! No lab montage or Photoshop!" Clothing, as this shot from the decommissioned Trojan nuclear power plant in Oregon demonstrates, is optional. (Some of the originals, obviously, are NSFW.)
Thus far, the contest has received only seven entries; Miss Atom, on the other hand, has dozens of contestants. Voting is still ongoing at Miss Atom, by the way. Yulia Nechayeva of Polyarnye Zori is in the lead with 1,149 points; DANGER ROOM favorite Alyona Kirsanova is in fourth place.
Whether you’re a busy college student with exams to study for and papers to write or a working busybody with too much to do, getting a full night’s rest is oftentimes not an option. Unfortunately, neglecting a good night’s rest tends to show up directly on your face, which can ruin anyone’s day. Luckily, there are a few steps you can follow in the mornings to banish any signs of an all-nighter.
One of the easiest ways to reenergize your face after a long night is to take a shower. However, don’t just make this a regular shower. Before stepping in, apply a rich and creamy moisturizing facial mask or a thick layer of facial moisturizer. Also add a layer of petroleum jelly to your lips. The combination of the facial mask or moisturizer with the heat of the water will cause your skin to become plump and soft. This is ideal for getting rid of creases and fine lines that can creep up on your complexion from too many late nights or those annoying lines that can appear from sleeping on your pillow. Afterwards, gently wipe off the moisturizer and petroleum jelly with a warm washcloth.
You can also spice up your morning rinse by using an energizing body scrub and lathering your body from head to toe with a good loofah. There are plenty of body scrubs that contain special ingredients that are perfect for stimulating blood flow and circulation, as well as invigorating your skin and the senses so you step out alert and ready to take on the day. As your shower comes to an end, gradually make the water cool for the final rinse.
To get the rest of your body going, taking a few minutes out of your morning to do some quick exercises can help whip you into shape and get your adrenaline going. Ideally, 20 minutes of jogging, walking or other type of aerobics will give your face a rosy and healthy complexion. But if you don’t have the time, just five minutes of jumping jacks can still get the job done.
One of the areas hit hardest by late nights is the eye area. From bags to dark circles and puffiness, your eyes definitely pay the price. To battle puffiness, store your favorite eye cream or serum in the fridge the night before. This will make the cream extra cool and soothing to your puffy eyes. Look for eye creams that contain botanicals that are known for their revitalizing properties, such as cucumber, chamomile and briar rose. Having a good concealer handy will take care of any dark circles or blemishes. When covering up problem areas, be sure to stay away from lighter shades and white cover-ups. Stick to yellow or skin-tone shades. For the rest of your makeup look, keep it minimal. To have a truly healthy complexion, skip the foundation and powder and instead only apply blush and lipstick with rosy shades. Browns and beiges should be avoided when it comes to makeup colors since these can cause your complexion to look dull, tired, and less vibrant.
