Eyelash-Enhancing Products: A Review

Long prominent eyelashes draw attention to the eyes and are considered a sign of beauty. Women strive to achieve ideal lashes through various modalities, including cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, and pharmaceu­ticals. The booming beauty industry has introduced many cosmetic and cosmeceutical products with claims of enhancing eyelash growth; however, many of these products have not been tested for efficacy or safety and are promoted solely with company- and/or consumer-based claims. The only pharmaceu­tical approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for eyelash growth is bimatoprost ophthalmic solution 0.03% (Latisse, Allergan, Inc). In this article, eyelash physiology, causes of genetic and acquired trichomegaly, and pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products that claim eyelash-enhancing effects are reviewed.