FDA Lashes Back at Latisse
September 23rd, 2009. By AbiK
If you’ve been following what’s hot in beauty, you’ve seen the ads for Allergan‘s (also maker of Botox) Latisse where Brooke Shields lends her face to promote the eyelash enhancer. And you’ve probably caught the onslaught of vibrating mascaras. Yes, all this to “play up” what amounts to 1/1,000,000,000,000,000th of the surface area on a woman’s body.
But those tiny lashes are big business. Allergan had estimated pre-launch of Latisse that the previously-only-known-as glaucoma treatment could rake in over $500 million a year. Who knows just how much a mascara wand that needs batteries could bring in. I admit to owning one, but I also admit it was a gift and after thoroughly cleaning it, it actually makes a handy gizmo for cleaning tile grout (beauty tip!).
The FDA, however, is not so wowed by all the hoopla surrounding Latisse. In fact, it appears the FDA has also been following the beauty ads and promotional hype for Latisse and they’ve noticed a thing or two. Namely, that Allergan sort of brushed over some of the finer details about Latisse side effects. Here, just a few of the potential Latisse risks:
- Increased iris pigmentation (ie, change in eye color)
- Hair growth in areas other than the treatment area
- Risk of infection from applicator
- Risk of bacterial contamination for contact lens wearers
- Eye itching and redness
According to the FDA, Allergan fails to present information about the risks of using Latissse as prominently as, and comparable to, to informtion it presents about Latisse’s benefits.
The FDA has asked Allergan to respond by September 24th and to cease using the misleading promotions.
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I have been using latissse for about 5 months. I have experienced ALL the bad side effects, and more. Now my lashes are falling out, and all scraggly. They look much worse than before. My eyelids are red and I have to wear cream eyeshadow to cover up the redness. My eyes have been extremely red and irritated and itchy since day 1 of using the product. I am on my 2nd or 3rd bottle and feel like its been a huge waste of time and money and my health has suffered. My eyes are so bad now that I feel like I need to wear glasses. I never had an eye problem before (20/20 vision), but now I have trouble reading small print. I used the stuff exactly as was directed too! They should not be allowed to market it like they do, without having big warnings about the side effects. My eyelashes never looked good. They were always scragly, like weeds, growing in all diffferent directions, and straight out, even pointing downward. I am not happy at all, and now have to get eyelash extentions just to make my eyelashes look normal!!!
Hi Davida, Thanks for sharing your experience with Latisse–sounds like you've been through quite a bit. I have to say that I'm surprised, given your results and the side effects you refer to, that you've proceeded with a "2nd or 3rd bottle"–? Why? It doesn't sound like you've seen an ophthalmologist yet either–while I'm no doctor, I strongly encourage you to have your eyes checked and discontinue use of any lash treatment (including getting extensions/fake lashes) and only proceed with such once your eye doctor "ok's" it. Good luck and let us know how you make out!
Davida,
You should have discontinued the product once you started experiencing the reddness and burning. You may have an allergic reaction. Long lashes is not worth your vision. Go to the opthalmologist.
I used Latisse for 11/2 weeks and it changed the color of my light blue ring around the outer iris,green eyes to a dark stain brown green. This sickens me to think that everyone prances around like it's alright and they Doctors, sit there a profess their are no side effects known to them of any patients. Here's my testimonial truth and there's no reversal in place.
That's fine.
I have also used this product to my regret. In using it for only 5 days, my eyes became itchy and red so I immediately stopped using it. My eye iris continues to darken every day. I feel pressure in my eyes that I have never felt before. I am so upset that this product was marketed to the public as a beauty product. Why else would they use a supermodel as a spokesperson. It is wrong and my biggest worry is seeing teenagers asking about this product. It is hard enough for me to go through the side effects but I couldn't imagine my teenage daughter getting a hold of it and ruining her eyes. This product should be taken off the market. Also, my doctor at the med spa did not even look at my eyes nor examine them before he issued this product. The office was selling the boxes at the counter like candy at a grocery store. This was obviously a ploy to draw more people into the doctors offices during a difficult economic climate. Disgusting!
Kelly,
There is always buyer beware. You should not trust a product during its hype. Wait until the hype wears down, then review comments on the product. You are then being an informed shopper, not matter the enticement to get you to buy. If the product is any good, it will still be around.
I have used it for about 4 months and love it. I have gotten compliments on my long full lashes. I had scraggly, sparse lashes due to age – I'm 62. My daughter had been using it and her lashes looked great and no side effects. I decided to try it. Wow, what a happy surprise. The only side effect I've had is slight itching occasionally along the lash line. I wear contacts and have had no other problems.
Claire
Since I first used this I had so much pain in my eye, headache, neck pain and have been through so many MRI, MRA, eye exams, doctors, chriopractors with no relief. I am in chronic pain from this awful drug. Don't know what else to do.
I have been using Latisse almost constantly for 4 years and am thrilled with the results. Without it my lashes are short, sparse and thin. About a month ago I bought a vial and it isn’t working for the first time. This is lot 91338. Is there a recall? Why isn’t it working?
Latisse not working anymore. Lot 91338