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In Australia, prostaglandin analogs are Schedule 4 substances under the Poisons Standard.

Surprised? I wasn’t.  But the company’s CEO was:

XXXX, the CEO said his company “did not realize” that prostaglandin was a prescription-only ingredient in Australia. In the USA there are no restrictions on prostaglandin.

The scientific literature has lots of findings like this:

Enophthalmos, one of the side effects of prostaglandin analogs, is the “posterior displacement of the eyeball within the orbit due to changes in the volume of the orbit (bone) relative to its contents (the eyeball and orbital fat), or loss of function of the orbitalis muscle.

The ingredients in LiLash® are as follows: Water, Glycerin, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Prunus Amygdalus (Sweet Almond) Extract, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Panthenol, Isopropanol Phenylhydroxypentene Dihydroxycyclopentylheptenate, Silica, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol.

Side effects of prostaglandin analogs include: fat atrophy, sunken eyes, darkening of the iris (blue eyes can literally turn brown), skin hyperpigmentation, swollen retina and blurry vision, red/brown rings around the eyes, redness in the eyes, itchy lids and general irritation. Some side effects can be permanent. Side effects of these chemicals have been known for more than a decade.

If you have glaucoma and risk losing your eyesight, these side effects are an acceptable risk. But for longer eyelashes? Plus, why would you use a powerful medication when “topping up” your own keratinocyte growth factor and nutrition will do the job, safely?

Instead of choosing a high risk “cosmetic”, try Skin Actives’ option.

References

Alm A, Grierson I, Shields MB. Side effects associated with prostaglandin analog therapy. Surv Ophthalmol. 2008 Nov;53 Suppl1:S93-105. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2008.08.004. PMID: 19038628.

Hart J, Shafranov G. Hypertrichosis of vellus hairs of the malar region after unilateral treatment with bimatoprost. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Apr;137(4):756-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2003.09.002. PMID: 15059720.

Rabinowitz MP, Katz LJ, Moster MR, Myers JS, Pro MJ, Spaeth GL, Sharma P, Stefanyszyn MA. Unilateral Prostaglandin-Associated Periorbitopathy: A Syndrome Involving Upper Eyelid Retraction Distinguishable From the Aging Sunken Eyelid. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Sep-Oct;31(5):373-8. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000351. PMID: 25393907.

Wistrand  PStjernschantz  JOlsson  K The incidence and time-course of latanoprost-induced iridial pigmentation as a function of eye color.  Surv Ophthalmol. 1997;41(suppl 2)S129- S138

Johnstone  MA Hypertrichosis and increased pigmentation of eyelashes and adjacent hair in the region of the ipsilateral eyelids of patients treated with unilateral topical latanoprost.  Am J Ophthalmol. 1997;124544- 547

Tomita  YMaeda  KTagami  H Melanocyte-stimulating properties of arachidonic acid metabolites: possible role in postinflammatory pigmentation.  Pigment Cell Res. 1992;5357- 361

Yang Y, Huang C, Lin X, Wu Y, Ouyang W, Tang L, Ye S, Wang Y, Li W, Zhang X, Liu Z. 0.005% Preservative-Free Latanoprost Induces Dry Eye-Like Ocular Surface Damage via Promotion of Inflammation in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Jul 2;59(8):3375-3384. doi: 10.1167/iovs.18-24013. PMID: 30025085.

DISCLAIMER: These claims have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease.