7 Healthcast: Eyelash drug

It's something most women want... long, lush eyelashes.

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"The first thing people see are your eyes."

Catherine Foster of Harvard has always tried for fuller lashes. She used mascara...

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"I tried every one."

And even wore false lashes.

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"They're not fun. The glue is not fun."

Then, Catherine came across the F.D.A. approved prescription drug, Latisse.

It was originally used for glaucoma, but had some interesting side effects. 

Dr. Mitesh Kapadia, Tufts Medical Center
"One of the side effects of the drug for glaucoma was that everyone's eyelashes grew really long. So, some very smart marketing people decided, well, we could probably start marketing the drug directly for eyelash growth."

Catherine gave it a shot, applying Latisse once a day.

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"You put a drop of the solution onto the applicator, then brush it on the skin just above the eyelash line on the upper eyelids only."

She says she started noticing a difference after about six weeks.

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"They're longer and fuller, a lot longer."

Doctors say her results are pretty typical.

Dr. Mitesh Kapadia, Tufts Medical Center
"Actually it works almost too well, so most people find that, by the time you get to two or three months, they can't even use it everyday because their eyelashes grow kind of out of control.

Latisse comes at a cost, about $100 a month. And doctors say it's not a permanent solution.

Dr. Mitesh Kapadia, Tufts Medical Center
"Once you stop the medication, the eyelashes go back to the way they were, but that usually takes three to four weeks."

For Catherine, it's worth it.

Catherine Foster, uses Latisse
"You can go out of the house without mascara. And before, I had no eyelashes. You couldn't see my eyes. And now, I don't have to worry about it."

Doctors say there can be side effects, including itching, eye redness and darkening along the eyelash line.

For more information:
http://www.latisse.com/

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