New treatment to grow eyelashes

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- Most women have tried countless beauty products looking for something that will give them perfect eyelashes. Now there may be a new solution and it's recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Kelly Mead, a McLean, Virginia resident says her lashes lost their luster as she got older.

Kelly says, "They didn't look as thick. They looked long but they looked thinner. I wanted that thickness."

Kelly turned to D.C. dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi and a brand new product called Latisse. The new product is the cosmetic version of a glaucoma drug called Lumigan that turned out to have unexpected side effects.

Dr. Tanzi says, "It's able to stimulate growth of eyelashes and make them longer, fuller, and darker. That has been a need in cosmetic dermatology for many many years."

Kelly has been on Latisse for three months. She applies the product daily to the base of her lashes and think she can already see a difference.

Kelly says, "I feel as though I have started to see some results. They look longer."

Virginia resident Julie Painter is about to start using Latisse after trying all kinds of other lash-lengthening beauty tools.

Julie says, "It's a piece of our beauty. Eyes are the focus of the face. Having really beautiful eyelashes says youthful beauty."

Dr. Tanzi says that the eyes are the first place to see signs of ageing and that Latisse is a great non-surgical way to get a more youthful appearance.

But don't expect results overnight, Dr. Tanzi says it typically takes 8-16 weeks to see changes like those in the before and after photos provided by Latisse.

Julie says it's worth the wait. She says, "I think you should expect Sophia Lauren lashes and just a whole new me. Maybe with out mascara!"

Latisse is available by prescription only. It is not inexpensive. A 30 day supply can cost about $120.