Medical Reports: Lash Out

WSVN -- From falsies to globs of mascara, women will do anything to get luscious lashes.

Melissa Neault: "I've always wanted to have thick, long, dark lashes."

Melissa Neault has spent a lot of time and money trying to plump up her light and limp eyelashes.

Melissa Neault: "I have blonde hair, so the lashes are blonde as well. They were very thin, very sparse."

Melissa Neault: "I purchased and tried out every possible new mascara there was."

Looking for a lash lifesaver, Melissa joined an FDA clinical trial for the drug Latisse. It's a drug that was discovered accidentally to lengthen lashes.

Dr. Steven Fagien: "It was a drug used to treat glaucoma, and many of these patients who had glaucoma noticed that their eyelashes were thicker, darker, longer. That started the curiosity to start a trial."

Plastic surgeon Steven Fagien led the clinical trial here in South Florida. He says the drug works by giving your lashes more time to grow.

Dr. Steven Fagien: "There is a growth phase to an eyelash and a resting phase, and the drug is believed to increase the time that the eyelash stays in the growth phase."

Latisse is applied once a day along the base of the eyelash right before bed. It takes about six to eight weeks to see results.

Dr. Steven Fagien: "It was clear that the patients who received the drug had longer, thicker, darker lashes."

There are a couple of downsides: When you stop the treatment your lashes will go back to normal, and possible side effects include redness, itching, darkening of the eyelid, and it could turn the actual color of your eyes darker. Doctors say that's rare.

Melissa Neault: "I didn't have any problems, no side effects whatsoever."

What Melissa did end up with at the end of the study was fabulous lashes.

Melissa Neault: "Probably about month three was when I really noticed that my lashes were starting to get really long, lush and full."

Latisse just received FDA approval and Melissa can't wait to start lengthening her lashes again.

Melissa Neault: "I love my results, and I am so glad that it's finally on the market. I'm going to get my prescription and be using Latisse."

Lynn Martinez: "Many South Florida dermatologists and plastic surgeons just received Latisse. You can buy it from them or get a prescription from a doctor. Price tag: $120 for a month's supply."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Steven Fagien
660 Glades Rd.
Boca Raton, Florida