Can You Make My Eyelashes Grow?
Several stories appeared in the news regarding Age Intervention Eyelash. Here is the scoop:
U.S. marshals on Friday seized 12,682 applicator tubes of a cosmetic called Age Intervention Eyelash, which the FDA claims is being marketed as an unapproved and misbranded drug. The FDA suggests that this product may harm some users’ vision. The product, promoted as increasing eyelash growth, is sold and distributed by San Jose, California-based Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc (JMSR). Though this sounds like it was an action packed day for U.S. marshals – things probably went pretty smoothly since the product has been off the market for more than one year and the company was storing the old product for disposition at the FDA’s direction for 14 months.
Why all the fuss? Part of the problem is JMSR’s claim that Age Intervention Eyelash will increase eyelash growth. Making a claim that a product will have a specific effect -like increasing eyelash growth- means that Age Intervention Eyelash is a drug. Before a new drug product may be legally marketed, it must be shown to be safe and effective, and approved by FDA. Age Intervention Eyelash was not put through these rigorous (and expensive) tests.
The articles in several papers focused on the accused wrongdoing JMSR is involved with, by bringing a product with claims to market hat did not go through the FDA process. What was not reported is the question of potential legitimacy of these claims.
The product in question contained bimatoprost, an active ingredient in an FDA-approved drug to treat elevated intraocular pressure (elevated pressure inside the eye). Bimatoprost, a prostaglandin analogue, is marketed as Lumigan. There are other medications in this class, Travoprost (Travatan), and Latanoprost (Xalatan). All of these medications have been shown to have the side effect of increasing hair growth. In fact, Murray Johnstone, an ophthalmologist from Seattle Washington, filed a patent in 1999 Patent 6,262,105 after he noticed this effect in several of his patients who were using one of these eye drops on just one side. Since then, there have been several papers in the medical literature discussing the use of these products for enhancing hair growth. Some subsequent studies have suggested that Travoprost is the best at inducing hair to grow, but more research needs to be done.
Even though Age Intervention Eyelash is off the market, if you have a problem with eyebrow or eyelash growth you may want to ask your doctor about your options. Though it is against FDA regulation for Jan Marini Skin Research to market a drug in a cosmetic package without rigorous testing, your physician may be able to prescribe for you a product like Travoprost to use topically to the areas you need hair to grow one or two times per day. Every treatment has potential side effects, and you should discuss these with your doctor. Of note…. the newspaper articles failed to mention the most common side effect. When this medication is used in the eye, it has been may make your iris (the colored part of your eye) turn permanently darker in color. It is not clear what the risk of this side effect is if the medication is used on eyelashes or eyebrows. In addition, using this medication would not be recommended for patients who already take this type of eye drop to manage glaucoma. With this medicine… more can be less, and may result in inadequate control of glaucoma.
JMSR reformulated its eyelash product in late 2006 to eliminate the marketing claims and the ingredient questioned by the FDA. JMSR’s new Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner does not contain bimatoprost or any other prescription drug ingredient. In this new cosmetic product, there is no “active ingredient” that has been disclosed that has been scientifically shown to increase hair growth. Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner is not intended to stop, prevent, cure, relieve, reverse or reduce eyelash loss or to promote the growth of eyelashes. So if you just want thicker appearing lashes, you may enjoy Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner as a high end mascara. If you have a problem with lashes not growing… you will need to talk to your doctor – and bring a copy of this article.
Thanks for this article. Very interesting. A question: Was Age Intervention Eyelash made in conjunction with Dr. Johnstone? Is this his commercialization of his patent?
Hi John,
Good question. In fact, Dr. Johnstone had nothing to do with Age Intervention Eyelash…. so in addition to violating FDA policy, JMSR also was in violation of Dr. Johnstone’s intellectual property.
It is our hope that a commercial product approved by the FDA will be approved in the near future.
I would like to add that although this product containing bimatoprost was pulled from the market, it does not mean that bimatoprost itself is unsafe. Patients of mine have called with concerns that their glaucoma medicines are unsafe, which is simply NOT true. So, if you have glaucoma and are on one of these medications, you should continue using it as prescribed by your eye MD.
Recently, the FDA approved Allergan’s Latisse(r) for eyelash growth, which contains bimatoprost 0.03%. Works great for the lashes, although the liquid formulation which is purportedly similar to their Lumigan (bimatoprost 0.03%) is not thick, and therefore difficult to apply. The competing ‘cosmetic’ products had better packaging, etc.
Also seems to work for scalp hair growth, btw, but it is expensive drop for drop. Latisse is expected to work well with or without eyelash transplantation, too. Obviously, the transplanted lashes will not need the stimulation provided by the bimatoprost, however.