Interested in supermodel-grade eyelashes? Be wary of the prescription lash-lengthener Latisse, which promises fuller, darker, longer lashes but has been noted for some ugly side effects.
This NYT story reports that the drug is easily available without prescription. While many people have used the product without problems, others have reported redness, itchiness and swelling after using the topical solution. One woman quoted in the story had "dark purply" eyelids after using the stuff.
Taking on those risks -- for about $100 a month -- is one thing, but many people seem to be doing so without consulting a doctor, the story states.
Consumer Reports, which has been warning about the product for months, advises: stick to mascara. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration warned the maker of Latisse that its ads downplay serious risks. Recently, the FDA has been cracking down on other manufacturers for the same reasons.
Baltimore Sun photo