Eyelash Enhancement

Jan 12, 2009 11:00 pm US/Eastern

Health: Medication To Grow Eyelashes 

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3)
Stephanie Stahl-reporting 

The first FDA approved medication to grow eyelashes is about to hit the market. Ladies are lining up for this one - it's expected to be as popular as Botox.

"I have different colors," said Kay Magee.
 

We are honored that Dr. Swartz has been featured in the national and local media for her contribution to the field of eyelash enhancement.  You can safely have longer, thicker, lush lashes in a matter of days.  To learn more about this exciting breakthrough call 888-478-3535 to schedule a consultation with Drs Cohen or Swartz.

     Before Treatment                                  After Treatment

We are delighed to inform our patients that LATISSE^TM (same medication as Lumigan®) has been approved by the FDA for eyelash enhancement.  Studies show that 78% of patients had significant growth of their eyelashes with daily use of LATISSE^TM.  Because of our special experience and skill, the company that makes LATISSE^TM has selected both Dr. Cohen and Dr. Swartz to be two of the few in the country to train doctors how to best use this treatment for their patients. 
How much does it cost and other FAQ's?

Read our interview in USAToday
Read our interview on ABC 6 Action News

Kay Magee has all sorts of mascara. Like most women, she wants her eyelashes to look long and full, but she doesn't have to pile on the make up anymore.

"I was like boom, look at my eyelashes," Kay explained.

Her new luscious lashes came from an unlikely place; eye drops used to treat the eye disease glaucoma have the side effect of growing eyelashes.

"It's not unusual to have unexpected side effects of medications," said Nancy Swartz.

Nancy Swartz, an ophthalmic plastic surgeon in Bala Cynwyd, says she and many others have been prescribing the glaucoma medication to people who don't have the disease with the only affect being growing lashes.

"It's fun to have something safe that really does make your eyelashes grow," said Dr. Swartz.

The glaucoma medicine, Lumigan, is being renamed and repackaged as Latisse, to specifically grow eyelashes. Lumigan and Latisse are the same medication. That active ingredient is something called bimatoprost. Used for glaucoma, it's dropped into the eye to lower pressure. For lashes, the drops are dabbed on the top of lashes like eyeliner. In order to get FDA approval, Latisse had to be specifically tested to prove it safely grows lashes.

"It's really great it really helped a lot," said Kay.

Kay does commercial work and saw results quickly, but it can take 8 weeks.

"It's safe and it works and its not make up its real, it's your actual hair coming out of your eyelids," Kay told us.

Dr. Swartz says it works anywhere there are hair follicles, but at this point it's not being tested for the head.

Latisse can cause some minor side effects like itching, and redness.

It will be available with a prescription sometime in the next 6 weeks, costing $120.


RELATED INFORMATION:

Dr. Nancy Swartz 888-478-3535

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Reported January 21, 2008

By Meghan Yost, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Want longer eyelashes but hate the thought of eyelash surgery? A new drug used to treat Glaucoma can now help grow longer, thicker and darker lashes with dramatic results, sometimes after only two days.

Eyelashes protect the eyes from dust-motes and debris but to most women, they serve a greater purpose: attracting the opposite sex by drawing attention to the eye. As women age, their lashes tend to get shorter and less voluminous. The cosmetic industry is usually the answer to this problem with the countless mascaras, artificial lashes, eyelash tints or eyelash extensions on the market.

Now, Nancy Swartz, M.S., M.D., and her colleague and husband Marc Cohen, M.D., are offering a better way to treat this common beauty dilemma: Lumigan, a topical version of the hormone prostaglandin. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the medication in 1996 for the treatment of glaucoma and three million Americans currently use it.

Two other drugs of its kind exist but Lumigan has shown to be the most effective when used for lash growth. Discouraging to some, Lumigan may result in adverse effects. The less harmful, temporary ones include hyperemia or red eye, which occurs in about 15 to 45 percent of patients, and itchiness, which occurs in about 15 percent. A more permanent side effect, change in iris color, occurs in 1.5 percent of patients. Those with hazel eyes have an even greater risk for this side effect: 7 to 16 percent. 

Lumigan works in four ways to improve eyelash appearance. First, the drug increases the amount of lashes by stimulating transition to the anagen or growth phase of the hair cycle. The drug then helps eyelashes grow longer by prolonging the time spent in that phase. As Lumigan induces hypertrophic changes in the follicle, the eyelashes grow thicker and as melanocyte activity increases, they get darker. When applied to the base of eyelashes once a day, results can be seen anywhere from 2 days to several months.

In order to maintain your new lashes, you must continue to use the medication. "If you discontinue the Lumigan, over the following months [your eyelashes] will eventually go back to normal," Dr. Swartz told Ivanhoe.

In the case of Lumigan, the results speak for themselves. When viewing before and after pictures, there is no question lashes improved significantly, becoming more beautiful, luscious, and attractive.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Nancy Swartz, M.S., M.D., The Art of Perfection, The 24th Annual Scientific Meeting on Cosmetic Surgery, Orlando, FL, Jan. 16 - Jan. 20, 2008
 

Back to CBS 3 Interview   Back to USAToday Interview

By Anita Brikman

February 21, 2007 (WPVI) -- A local eye doctor sees a cosmetic future for an eye drop that can grow the kind of lashes so many women want

Sometimes, prescription drugs have unexpected cosmetic side effects. The baldness-fighter Rogaine started out as a blood pressure drug. Now an eye drop could translate into longer lashes"It's dramatic. People pay attention to your eyes. They show your health, your mood," said Marva Jeanet who is the beauty advisor for Walgreens.

 Jason Tavares of Pierre & Carlo Salon had this to say, "The longer your eyelashes, the more your eye looks bigger and open."

And yes, some of us even add extra lashes for special occasions, including the women of Action News. But all of this takes time, effort and money. What if you could use an eye drop instead?

"We have an eye drop that actually makes your eyelashes grow longer, and thicker and darker and fuller and it really works," said Dr. Nancy Swartz.

Dr. Swartz, a Philadelphia-area ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon, knows it works because she tried it on herself!

The drug is Lumigan; it is one of three commonly prescribed glaucoma medications called prostaglandins. They reduce pressure inside the eye. But they also increase the growth cycle of the hair follicles in eye lashes, and darken their pigment, or color.

Dr. Swartz showed Action News a picture of her own lashes before she began using Lumigan; and then, three weeks after.

"Great results I haven't had anyone start this drop who hasn't been ecstatic."

Luanne Santa Barbara is one of those ecstatic patients. The South Jersey mother of 2 has very fair hair, brows and eyelashes that are short and almost transparent. Luanne says after just one week of using Lumigan, friends say they can see a difference, even when she's not wearing makeup.

"They've grown longer and they get darker in a week," said Luanne.

Ophthalmologist Constance Okeke of the Sheie Eye Institute says not every patient will experience eyelash growth. And, she warns, these drugs carry possible side effects such as redness, dryness, and a "foreign-body" sensation in the eye. In rare cases, Dr. Okeke says the medications can also cause fluid to collect in the retina, and that can distort vision.

What's more because the prostaglandins affect pigment, they can darken skin around the eye. That side effect typically goes away once the eye drops are stopped. But another pigment change is not reversible. Doctors say prolonged use of the glaucoma drops can change eye color, especially in people with light-colored eyes.

"There can be permanent changes in the iris color. The iris color can change and darken," Dr. Okeke said.

To minimize the chance of side effects Dr. Swartz tells her patients to put the drops on a Q-tip, and then apply them to the base of the lashes instead of putting them directly in the eyes.

Both ophthalmologists say an eye exam should be done before prostaglandins are prescribed, and people with certain eye conditions shouldn't use them at all. They include individuals with previous eye inflammation, or uveitis. People who have recently had cataract surgery and developed inflammation in their retina afterwards should also avoid these drops.

Dr. Swartz says Lumigan has "a long history of use with an excellent safety profile." But she understands why fellow physicians would be hesitant to use the drug to grow eyelashes. However, she also sees the potential for patients especially those with sparse, or non-existent lashes.

"A lot of women are unhappy with their eyelashes, and I've been hearing it for years."

Luanne said, "I am using it forever!"

Lumigan and the other glaucoma drugs are prescription-only and cost from 70 to 200 dollars, depending on the size of the bottle.

Dr. Nancy Swartz presented her eyelash treatment idea at the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery meeting in January. She says it received a very positive reception.

For more information:
Nancy G. Swartz, MS, MD, FACS
Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
www.cosmetic-eyes.com
(888) 478-3535

(Copyright 2007. Action News and 6abc. All rights reserved)

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQ

LATISSE^TM comes in a 3ml bottle that contains about 80 to 100 drops. The price of a bottle of  LATISSE^TM is $99.  At the time of your visit, Drs. Cohen & Swartz will instruct you on how to use this product so it is safe and most effective for you. 

Most patients can maintain beautiful lashes with about 3 or 4 bottles of LATISSE^TM a year.   That ends up costing less than $10 a week

How to use LATISSE^TM:  

LATISSE^TM comes in a 3 ml bottle with 60 disposable applicators.  It is used once nightly to the skin of the upper eyelid at the base of the eyelashes. 

Begin by washing your face.   Remove your contact lenses and any makeup you are wearing. Using the sterile applicator provided, place a drop of LATISSE^TM on the applicator.  Brush the applicator carefully across the upper eyelid skin where the lashes are touching the eyelid.  Blot any excess solution with a tissue or soft cotton cloth. 

Repeat this with the other eyelid using a new sterile applicator provided in the tray.

How do I know if LATISSE^TM is right for me?

LATISSE^TM is an eye medication.  While it is very safe for most people, it is important to see a specialist for an evaluation before starting LATISSE^TM.  At the time of your visit, we will advise you if LATISSE^TMis safe for you and exaplain how to use this treatment so you get the best results.  It is important to tell your doctor if you have a history of inflammation in your eye, glaucoma, dry eyes, blepharitis or any allergies.  

How is LATISSE^TM different from other products like Jan Marini Lash Conditioner, and ReVitalash?

LATISSE^TM is the only product approved by the FDA for eyelash growth.  To obtain FDA approval it needed to be rigorously tested to be sure that it is safe and to be sure that is really works.  No other product has undergone that degree of thorough testing.

How does it work?

It is believed that LATISSE^TM effects the growth phase of the eyelashes.  It does this in two ways.  First it increases the length of time that your eyelashes are in the growth phase.   Second it increases the number of eyelashes that are in the growth phase.  The result is longer, thicker and fuller lashes.

What are the possible side effects?

Redness and itching of the eye are the two most common side effects of LATISSE^TM.  These problems occurred in about four out of 100 patients.  Both of these problem go away if the medication is stopped.  In addition many patients who have eye redness or itching are able to continue the treatment and the symptoms go away over time.  However if you develop any symptoms, while taking LATISSE^TM you should contact your doctor immediately to discuss the best way to proceed.  Other, even less common problems include, darkening of the skin, or irritation of the skin.  These problems also go away is the medication is stopped.  It is possible that LATISSE^TM could cause a darkening of the iris (colored part of the eye).  This is very rare, but most common in patients with hazel colored eyes.  Although this problem does not in any way effect the health of the eye, it could be a cosmetic problem.  Increased pigmentation of the iris is not reversible.  If you one of the rare individuals who notice that the colored part of your eye is getting darker, stop using LATISSE^TM and discuss this with your doctor.

What if I miss a dose?
No need to worry if you occasionally miss a dose of LATISSE^TM.  Just start again the next day.  You do not need to "catch up". 

If once a day works great, is twice a day better?
No. LATISSE^TM  should be used as directed.  One time a day.   Using it more often will not make you lashes grow more quickly and, in addition can cause side effects.

Is it OK to use mascara while I am using LATISSE^TM?

Absolutely.  LATTISE^TM will give you beautiful eyelashes and you can show them off even better with mascara.  Your Eyelashes will be a work of art.  Mascara is the paint and LATISSE^TM creates the canvas.

Is this the treatment that Brooke Shields uses on her eyelashes?

Yes.  Brooke Shields is the spokes person for LATISSE.  She uses the product herself, and has had fabulous results as you can see in the adds for this treatment.

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