Jan Marini Eyelash Growth Update
A previous post on Jan Marini Eyelash Growth product prompted many comments. Most of the comments were anecdotal stories about how people used the product and were convinced that it was the greatest thing they’d ever tried. While reports from users are interesting, they aren’t “proof” that the product works. It’s a basic Beauty Brain belief.
“Anecdotal evidence does not prove anything”
This Beauty Brain remained highly skeptical in a way that would make my heroine Rebecca Watson proud.
But then the following comment was posted…
Hello Everyone,
I can`t stand the confusion anymore. Here is the scoop. The OLD Jan Marini eyelash product did indeed work. It had a DRUG in it for GLaucoma that had a known side effect of hair growth. A larger company already has a patent on it for this use. THAT IS THE REASON WHY IT WAS TAKEN OFF THE MARKET FOR MONTHS. Not surprisingly, the active secret ingredient was not disclosed on Jan Marini`s label. It did work however, so I hope that settles the confusion. People were using a DRUG!!!(for glaucoma)The NEW formulation does not have the drug in it. It was released last week. the new product probably will not work since there is nothing in it that can make eyelashes grow. The company is in fact writing letters to consumers telling them that the product is different. This is such a travesty. Thousands of people are waiting
for the back ordered product, and now they will be getting nothing. The public always loses. I guess it is very difficult to come up with a safe, cosmetic product that indeed makes eyelashes grow. So, the OLD JM EYElash did work for most people, and now that is GONE. The new one has no drug in it. We are too late to do any studies. Sorry!
I still remained skeptical but it prompted me to look into the claims and there just may be something to what this commenter said.
It turns out that in 2003, a group of dermatologist published a paper in the Dermatology Online Journal suggesting that a drug used for glaucoma (latanoprost) actually stimulated eyelash growth. This could be the basis for the Jan Marini eyelash product.
I was amazed that this could be true! It seems to me that this would’ve been HUGE news in the cosmetic business and the general public. But it went by without nearly a mention. Imagine the money this discovery could bring in!
Then I dug a little deeper and found out why the discovery likely passed unnoticed. Subsequent studies were not able to repeat what the original scientists demonstrated. According to these scientists in an article published in 2005 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, topical application of latanoprost was NOT EFFECTIVE.
Not having seen the original papers, I can’t say which research study is more believable. However, in terms of credibility, the American Academy of Dermatology is one of the premiere organizations in the area of dermatology so they win out there. Additionally, amazing claims like “Renews hair growth” require amazing proof. One paper in an online journal that can’t be reproduced by peers is hardly amazing proof.
Beauty Brains bottom line:
Jan Marini eyelash growth product could’ve been based on a drug used for glaucoma, and there is at least one study to back-up the use of that drug for eyelash growth. However, the work was not repeatable and we don’t know for certain that the Jan Marini product used the drug anyway! I continue to remain skeptical.
No cosmetic will make any of your hair grow.
ALERT: The story has been updated. Jan Marini Admits product will not re-grow eyelashes.
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Amanda Says:
Well, I never tried it (too expensive, so unless it can make hundred dollar bills sprout out of my eyelids, I don’t care how well it works!) But what I really want to know is, why would Jan Marini be able to put a glaucoma drug in their product without printing on the label that it was there? I thought that all the ingredients that are in a cosmetic product had to be on the label, and labels seems to always have a listing of “active” and “inactive” ingredients. So I’m confused. Do the Brains know anything about labelling laws?
thebeautybrains Says:
Good question, Amanda. It’s true that all the ingredients have to be listed on the label. (There is a clause in the law that allows a company to not list an ingredient if it is a legitimate trade secret, but that is very very rare.) Probably what’s happening here is that Jan Marini is not following the label laws exactly. Lots of small companies play that game and it’s rare that the government tracks them down. Now, obviously this may be a special case if this was an unapproved use of a drug - it’s much more likely the FDA would have taken action. But we’re not privvy to all the facts in this case. This is just our speculation.
Kristin Says:
Hi, I’m very interested in what you have to say about the french brand TALIKA in this context.
http://www.talika.com/article-105-en.html
They claim the same thing as Marini does, only that their product is supposed to be 100% natural.
Their story also includes the discovery of this miracle product as a by-product of scientific research
(http://www.ausliebezumduft.de/index.php?cPath=34_105_237).
There’s quite a buzz in Europe about this line. I have purchased it once and didn’t notice anything, but since it isn’t that expensive (€ 14,-) I wasn’t that surprised either.
I’d be very interested in the Beauty Brains’ opinion on this product and Marketing story! Greetings from Germany, K
Hope Says:
All,
I can tell you, ANECDOTALLY, that certain glaucoma drug(s) do, in fact, make eyelashes grow.
My husband was diagnosed with glaucoma a few years ago. You should see his eyelashes now, they’re enviably long. Also, his already-brown eyes have deepened to a darker brown, another by-product of his glaucoma drug, apparently.
And it’s not just me saying this. We ran into an old roommate of his we hadn’t seen in a few years, and one of the first things out of the roommates mouth was, “My GOD! Your eyes are darker, and look at your eyelashes. What did you do?!”
-Hope
polemonium Says:
Below is a link to a long, but understandable, scientific paper on unusual eyelash length. The most amazing things can cause eyelashes to grow, and most of them involve diseases or medications you REALLY don’t want. Among the least harmful of them are the prostaglandin analogues (which are basically hormones) for glaucoma such as Travatan, etc, which produce the longer eyelashes and darkened eye color noted by some after using the older Marini product.
However, cosmetics may not legally contain anything that actually changes cellular metabolism at the nuclear level, and since real increases in lash length can only be affected by exactly such changes, Marini was almost certainly using a prescription drug off-label–which is both illegal and unethical. The FDA was bound to notice.
Article reference
Manoa Says:
This is what I understand from the general public:
Yes, there are prescription drugs that grow lashes.
Yes, Jan Marini Eyelash Intervention grows lashes.
Therefore, Jan Marini Eyelash Intervention must contain a prescription drug.
The facts:
FDA did not pull or recall the product. In fact, “FDA has no authority under the FD&C Act to order a recall of a cosmetic”.
Also, check MedWatch from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration … no mention of Jan Marini.
I purchased 3 tubes in November from a licensed aesthetician 30 miles from Jan Marini Skin Research Headquarters.
My understanding is that there was a labeling issue. And, hey, check the website … there’s now a disclaimer which is probably what FDA wanted all along.
Bryan Says:
I had a detailed discussion with Jan Marini herself about this product and what happened. Although I cannot divulge details of the interview, needless to say the revised product should work even better than the original. It contains a prostaglandin analogue that Marini worked on herself. I have been using the “new” version for 2 months and am seeing results that anecdotal or not, are impressive.
thebeautybrains Says:
Despite all the comments above, I have still not seen a published paper that says prostaglandins or other glaucoma drugs applied to eyelashes can make them longer and thicker. Please provide your links or ways we can all see the research.
In this paper, they show that an eyedrop application had some effect. But that’s not what the Jan Marini product is. No one has provided any proof that putting this medicine on your eyelashes will have any effect. For every anecdotal story about it working, we get one saying it doesn’t work. Published studies are proof. Personal stories are not.
Private interviews with Jan Marini are also not proof. She’s already shown herself to be unreliable by putting out a product that the FDA made her stop selling. (If that really happened).
Where is the proof?
thebeautybrains Says:
Here’s an interesting study that I just came upon. It seems the University of California, San Fransisco was commissioned to study eyelash growth after topical application with Latanoprost. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00187577
No results were given despite the fact that the study was completed a year ago. We’ll track it down. stay tuned…
thebeautybrains.com » Does Jan Marini Really Make Your Eyelashes Grow Says:
[...] here for more about the Jan Marini eyelash [...]
evpowell Says:
The glaucoma medication is call Lanaprost and is a prestaglandin analogue F. I think it is very important to realize there is a reason that you cannot put prescribed medications into a cosmetic product.
There are articles about Lanaprost causing uveitis, brown iris and not to mention that the intra-ocular pressure will go down.
We are always looking for a pot of gold and the consumer wants something but when there is a complication there is a problem. Wake up
evpowell Says:
Jam Marini cannot put a prostaglandin analogues into a cosmetic product. That is illegal. Look at the eye literature and you will see it works but you cannot do it.
evpowell Says:
Be careful about revitalash. I believe it is the same thing. Remember, these products cannot be sold in any department store or even on QVC because they would have to reveal this secret ingredient which they say is propriety. Is it OK then to put Morphine into a cosmetic product?
This is what we are dealing with. If it was OK, don’t you think Chanel or Sheisado would be way ahead of the cure.
They are preying on our inexperience and naivite (SP).
Holly Says:
So if they really do have the same drug in the old jan marini product and the current revitalash- why has revitalash not been pulled off the market- or for that matter, asked to “change their labeling” claims. That’s what I want to know!
I am also interested to hear more from the people who are trying the new jan marini. Thank you.
evpowell Says:
why do you let revitalash and jan marini advertise on your website if you know this is what they are up to
—————
We do not control the Google Ads that are on this site. We give you our honest opinion. It is up to people to decide whether you are going to use a product even if we say it doesn’t work.
Left Brain
evpowell Says:
new jan marini doesn’t work and it’s just a matter of time before revitalash will be off. Takes awhile to get products off the market. How do we know it’s not the same company. If you try to google the doctor on Healthgrades he doesn’t exist on the revitalash. There is no such doctor. you try.
evpowell Says:
in fact i think jan marini owns this website correct?
—————-
No it’s not owned by jan marini
Left Brain
thebeautybrains Says:
evpowell do you even read the posts you comment on? If it’s too much trouble to read the whole post, just read the Brains Bottom Line. Do you really think a Jan Marini owned website would tell people that the product doesn’t work?
For the record The Beauty Brains is not owned and has no relationship with Jan Marini. We answer questions that members in the Beauty Brains community ask. Our responses are based on the best scientific research we have available to us.
When people put comments on these sites we have no way of knowing who they are. They could be sincere readers or they could be company shills for Jan Marini or competitors. You can’t trust what someone in the comments says about either Jan Marini or Revitalash. Especially if they provide no evidence.
Evpowell provides no support for the stated claims so despite the number of comments that have been made, they are all unsupported hearsay and should be treated as such.
thebeautybrains Says:
To Beauty Brains readers,
Be careful about what you see written in the comments of these pages. While the main article is thoroughly researched, the comments are open to anyone.
We have not looked into Revitalash and cannot comment on how it works, whether it works, and what it contains. Based on what we know about cosmetics & the cosmetic industry, it’s highly doubtful that it’s effective.
Comments on this post could easily have been put there by competitors or even the company itself.
And you’ll have the same problem when asking for input from other people who may have used the new Jan Marini product. You will get a mixture of sincere responses, but may also get biased opinions from people who work for Marini or Revitalash or any other company that feels like convincing people of their point of view.
Claims made in a blog comment section (without links to relevant research) shouldn’t be trusted.
jennifer solow Says:
I am not affiliated with the company if any way. In fact, I’m just an author http://www.jennifersolow.com/
(the eyelashes you see on my website are fakes!)
I have been using the NEW JM product for about 10-12 days now and it’s definitely growing my eyelashes.
I woke up from a nap this weekend because my ten-year-old son needed to tell me something. When I turned over he said to me…”What’s the matter with your eyelashes? They’re too long.”
I’m trying it just out of curiosity but it does seem to be working.
What will I do with super-long eyelashes? No idea.
Life, as we know it, will be about the same, I think.
Jan Says:
What really bothers me is that I bought about 15 of these for resale. I had had them on backorder for a long time. Now that they are here, I am hearing all these rumors that the formula changed. When the Jan Marini rep was contacted, she swore up and down the formula was the same but only the wording on the packaging was changed!
So what IS the truth!? If they did change the formula on us, why did they still charge us the same price? Or at least TELL us they changed it and let us decide if we want to still purchase it anyway?
——
Jan, we have no idea. It would not be surprising for a cosmetic company to change a product to one that works just like every other product and still charge the same amount. Perricone charges $150 for a product that costs him less than $1 to make and it doesn’t work any better than a skin lotion you could buy at Walmart.
Left Brain
some guy Says:
I’m a dude. I really don’t give a crap about beauty. The reason I found this site is because one of my girlfriends eyelashes are insanely noticeably thicker, longer and darker and I was researching how that could possibly be. I asked her what the hell was going on, if she was using fake eyelashes and she said no she was using revitalash and it was natural growth. I looked at her lashes real close and for sure they were real. So, before beautybrains you just go assuming they don’t work “because they’re from the cosmetic industry”, might want to actually be as scientific as you SAY you are and actually try it out… or buy it for someone who will and monitor there results. Finding studies is a start, but there’s HUGE discrepancies between one clinical trial and another and unless you have many many studies done it’s hard to be conclusive one way or another. Best thing is to research as much as you can and start experimenting.
———-
Dude, thanks so much for your comments. It is a bit strange that only one of your girlfriend’s eyelashes are noticeably thicker. The revitalash product is supposed to work on all of them.
The Beauty Brains actually work in the cosmetic industry and we know that products in our industry work. We also don’t just assume something doesn’t work. We look at the latest research and make our decisions from that. Sometimes we’ll try a product but anecdotal stories (even if they come from us) don’t mean much. What if we tried it and it didn’t work? Would that convince anyone?
You don’t need to do many clinical studies. You just need to do a good one. You are correct that there are many different procedures for clinical studies which is why you have to read them and figure out what the researchers did.
If you read the post you’ll see, I didn’t say the products don’t work…I just haven’t seen any real proof.
Faina Says:
The beauty brains made a few uneducated comments that I would like to clarify…
dermatologists get a kickback for selling JM products?
My husband is a MD and he says that is illegal and not the way it works.
Its mind over matter? Come on…all of us are getting duped? Get serious, thats offensive and really get off your high horse, everyone is getting conned but you’re the ohnly one who’s smart enough to realize it? Get off the high horse.
Sure its expensive, but it works. If you don’t have the money don’t buy it. A Lexus is much better than a Chevy but nor everyone can afford it.
For every 1 person who says it doesn’t work, 10 say it does.
I have been using Jan Marini products for over 5 years, and they took care of my acne, skin and now eyelashes better than any other product out there. Bottom Line.
——————
Faina, thanks for you comments.
Since Jan Marini is not a drug (it’s a cosmetic) it is perfectly fine for a dermatologist to sell it and make a profit (kickback if you’re cynical). You’re husband is probably talking about selling drugs which would be illegal.
Your suggestion that “For every 1 person who says it doesn’t work, 10 say it does” is not our experience here at The Beauty Brains. The ratio is more like 50:50. And the positive reviews could all be coming from the company who is selling the product. Just like the negative reviews could be coming from their competition. This is exactly why we don’t put much faith in anecdotal stories.
We are not saying that everyone is getting duped. What we are saying is that incredible claims are being made by Jan Marini, where is the proof? Anecdotal evidence is not proof. If I had spent $150 every 3 months for the last 5 years on a product that really wasn’t doing anything, I wouldn’t want to admit it either.
But if it works for you…great. That doesn’t mean it will work for anyone else.
Left Brain
Dr. Alan Bauman Says:
As a physician who specializes in hair growth, including scalp hair restorations, eyebrow and eyelash transplants, etc. I can say with very good confidence that the proper application of topical prostaglandin analogs (like Jan Marini Eyelash Intervention and Revitalash) to the eyelid area can SIGNIFICANTLY improve eyelash length and density. My wife used a prostaglandin analog topical treatment on ONE LID ONLY for ten weeks (tell me that’s not ‘true love,’ lol). She had very good eyelashes to begin with, but I can tell you that the results are DRAMATIC. You can see the difference from across the room. At 8 weeks she was beggin me to let her use the treatment on the other side. I will be submitting the results for publication in the medical literature. For more info on the medical eyelash-enhancement treatments or procedures, drop me an email at doctorb@baumanmedical.com, or visit my website http://www.eyelash-transplant.com or http://www.baumanmedical.com.
Sincerely,
Dr. B.
Alan J. Bauman MD
Medical Director
Bauman Medical Group
Boca Raton, Florida
ddc Says:
Well, I guess the doc settled that.
thebeautybrains Says:
The doc didn’t settle anything for me. This is nothing more than another anecdotal story. Until the doc actually publishes a paper, this is complete hearsay. Arguments from authority carry no extra weight when answering scientific questions.
And besides, the doc didn’t say he used Jan Marini. We’ve never seen any proof that Jan Marini or Revitalash use prostaglandin analogs in their formulas (it’s not on the label) and if they are using them they are selling illegal drugs.
I have to really question the motivations and judgment of a doctor who would intentionally expose his wife (why didn’t he use himself) to a chemical with known possible sides effects. Not a doctor I’d ever want to go to or take advice from.
PinkLyfe Says:
i was told by a jan marini representative. that jan marini owns two molecules for the eyelash intervention product. she put the first, less expensive molecule in the first formula. yes, you are correct, she did not label the first product appropriately and she worded the insert incorrectly. she had to pull it off the market. she is still having issues with the FDA and decided to use the other molecule, which is more expensive but takes less then 3 months to work. unlike the first formulation which took 3 months of use. to see results
Left Brain Says:
The whole thing sounds pretty suspicious and information received by a jan marini representative is certainly going to be biased. The thing that makes no sense about what you’ve written is that the price of the Jan Marini product has not increased. If they are using a more expensive ingredient, the price of the product should be higher. Right? It doesn’t look like it’s changed.
PinkLyfe Says:
the old version was less expensive.i bought it for 140.00 the newer version is 160.00. at the same day spa.
PinkLyfe Says:
also, i noticed my eyelashes were much longer when they were repeatedly hitting my sunglass lens and making smudge marks(from my mascara) i had to repeatedly wipe the lens clean because it obstructed my view while driving. when it was pulled off the market…i wore the same sunglass’s while driving and eventually over the 4 month period. did not have to clean the lens like before. also, when i at the peak result from JM eyelash intervention, my 13 y.o. asked if i was wearing mascara. when i wasn’t. thats how long and dark my lashes got. my 13 y.o could not believe i wasn’t wearing mascara. (unsolicited by me)
thebeautybrains Says:
Well, if you got it for $140 that was a deal because I’ve never seen that price anywhere else.
And thanks for your story but again it doesn’t prove anything so I remain skeptical. If the product does work, it’s a drug. And if they are selling a drug as a cosmetic they are breaking the law.
carol Says:
I used the original JMproduct and after several weeks saw an unbelievable difference in my lashes- they were thicker, darker and longer. However, I started using the new product about one month ago and have been using it regularly every nite- there has been absolutely NO change in my lashes- the new product DOES NOT WORK- I have thrown out my$$$$- so save your dollars and don’t bother- the new product is missing the main active ingredient that actually made lashes grow! It does not work!
Ann Says:
Please, tell me: I bought the new JM eyelash intervention and the “growth factor” was missing from the label..I still don’t believe that the FDA would allow a cosmetics company to include a “drug” in their ingredients….can you prove that is what this was: a glaucoma drug molecule…how can we find out? Writing to the FDA won’t get any answers!
Left Brain Says:
The only thing you can do is contact the Jan Marini manufacturer and see if they will tell you. They should have a consumer information line or something. We can’t prove anything about the product as we don’t know what was in there or that it even worked. The glaucoma drug was a hypothesis but that has never been proven to work either.
Leslie Baumann MD Says:
I am a dermatologist and am writing a blog on this for Yahoo at http://www.theskinguru.com. Have any of you who have used the Jan marini product or Revitalash noticed darkening of your eyelids? Please come tell me your experience at http://www.skintypesolutions.com and look for my upcomign blog on Yahoo at http://www.theskinguru.com. Please note- I am no relation to Alan Bauman above.
S.Posey Says:
I started using Revitalash in Feb.’07. Within 4 weeks I had new eyelash growth. They are much thicker, very dark (mine were always blonde) and very long. They now hit my eyeglasses. Everyone comments on my eyes.
I hope and pray that I have not been using a drug on my eyelid skin and possibly having some migrate to the eyeball! A very worrisome and scarey thought!
PinkLyfe Says:
regarding the talika lipocils that kristin posted about. it didn’t work for me.
JIM Says:
Everyone has a right to their opinion, but blatant misinformation is not only inaccurate, but harmful.
The new Age Intervention Eyelash product does work. Jan Marini Skin Research replaced the original prostaglandin analog with another customized prostaglandin analog that actually appears to be even more effective than the original. There was never a patent issue and Jan Marini Skin Research has patents pending on both the original and new formulations.
The product has enormous positive media attention along with a huge celebrity following. Physicians throughout the US and abroad have validated the tremendous efficacy of the formula and continue to recommend it to their patients. There is no doubt regarding the amazing results.
In addition, the company has excellent safety studies.
This continued bashing and misinformation needs to stop.
A loyal and informed fan.
thebeautybrains Says:
Jim, thanks for being a loyal and informed fan. We love everyone in the Beauty Brains community.
As to your comments, I don’t know what “blatant and misleading” information you are talking about. The comments made by the Brains is based on our best review of the science.
We are not swayed by “positive media attention” or “celebrity following”. People unschooled in science are easily swayed by glitzy advertising.
We would like to see a peer reviewed, scientific publication that proves the efficacy of this product. We haven’t seen it so can only conclude that it most likely doesn’t make your eyelashes grow.
I reviewed the patent literature and saw no patent applications for Jan Marini in relation to eyelash growth. Where might someone find these?
Finally, have you taken a look at the official Jan Marini website recently? They specifically state on their website “* Age Intervention Eyelash Conditioner is not intended to stop, prevent, cure, relieve, reverse or reduce eyelash loss or to promote the growth of eyelashes”.
Jan Marini themselves say that the product will not promote eyelash growth.
I think that pretty much settles it.
thebeautybrains.com » Jan Marini Admits It - Age Intervention Eyelash Product Does Not Grow Hair Says:
[...] of the most popular topics on the Beauty Brains is the Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash. People always want to know, “will this product make my eyelashes grow?” “Is it [...]
PinkLyfe Says:
Last night my local news ran the eyelash enhancer story
JM eyelash intervention and revitalash were on my local news last night. it was very interesting, they had several women showing their longer, thicker eyelashes on camera and they also said that the JM age intervention eyelash conditioner lists a formula very similar to travopost, a prostaglandin analog, and that UCSF is currently doing clinical trials and looking at one of the prostaglandin analogs to treat patients with alopecia, or complete hair loss, of the eyebrows and eyelashes. That study just stopped recruitment and results are expected by the end of the year.
here’s the link
Eyelash story
thebeautybrains Says:
Interesting, but nothing new here. No scientific studies are quoted (only the biased folks at Jan Marini). I am curious to see the results of the UCSF study but just because a thing is being tested doesn’t mean that it works. Stay tuned.
linda Says:
I have to agree with the latest comment, the Jan Marini product doesn’t work. I purchased it for 140.00 and used it for 1mo. I put it on every nite top and lower lashes,, and guess what it didn’t work for me.. I also tipped the bottle and noticed the liquid was completely gone. So I would never buy Jan M. product again as it didnt help me. If anyone has another product that is showing results, please let me know…I need a miracle.
H2Mom Says:
I just bought the Age Intervention eyelash conditioner-Jan Marini Skin Research on Thursday the 17. $160! I have used it every night as the directions say. So far nothing, I will keep you posted. My eyelashes are dark and stubby.
Left Brain Says:
Interesting. Keep us posted. And if you return the product because it doesn’t work, let us know what happens.
Stacy Says:
My friend used revitalash for 4 weeks with dramatic, beautiful results. i thought she had fake lashes on. she showed me up close. i bought revitalash and have just started using it for three days. is, it, or is it not dangerous? is it a glaucoma med? the story goes that a dr. whose wife lost her eyelashes to chemo developed it. maybe true? maybe not. would love some info on whether this product is dangerous.
Left Brain Says:
We’ve written a lot about the Revitalash and Jan Marini products. Neither of them actually work better than regular mascaras. If it is indeed a drug then yes it is dangerous and can lead to some significant side effects (like permanently changing your eye color). We can’t verify that it is a glaucoma med nor can we verify the story about the doctor. Neither of these facts however demonstrates that the product works as it says. In fact, Jan Marini admits that the product doesn’t grow eyelashes.
Rachel Says:
Beauty Brains mentioned at the top of this post that a “larger company” has patented the latanoprost or similar product that was originally used in the Jan Marini product. Does anyone know what the larger company is? And if they are in the process of making this available to the public? Sounds like the JM miracle is a thing of the past… do we have something new to look forward to?
thebeautybrains Says:
The Beauty Brains didn’t mention that a larger company patented latanoprost. In fact, our patent search did not find any patent related to latanoprost and eyelash growth.
chryss Says:
After I saw a feature on the news about the glaucoma drops causing eyelashes to grow, I went and bought Revitalash. That was about two months ago. Nothing has happened with my eyelashes, they have always been really patchy, thin, and sparse and well, they are still that way, despite the fact that I used the product exactly as directed. My feeling is that Revitalash had to take the active ingredient out as well. Bottom line, IMO, these products used to work, but now they do not.
ROCKY Says:
Linda:
My wife had non-Hodgkins lymphoma several years ago and had one eyebrow that never properly grew back after chemotherapy. She has recently started a prescription treatment with Luxette, a topical form of latanoprost that was being marketed by a compounding pharmacy in Scottsdale, AZ. Nearly a month after twice weekly application and the eyebrow is filling in nicely. I understand that Luxette is for eyelashes but she decided to give it a try anyway. She had heard about other OTC topical products but this compound is the real drug - that’s why it requires a prescription. She also felt that it was a medical condition that caused the problem and wanted a medical solution.
cenovis Says:
Sounds like hogwash to me. I have seen some before and after photos of Jan Marini eyelashes, and I have to say, they’re very suspicious. Before photos taken without makeup, while after photos are taken with it. One even admitted to applying mascara before taking the after photos just to “emphasize” how long they’ve really become. Of course, anyone with common sense is going to realize that with or without Jan Marini, your lashes are going to appear longer if you’re using mascara. I’ve also seen images where the lashes have obviously been curled in the after shots, which, once again, will also give you the appearance of length.
I think a lot of people are uneducated and easily fall prey to the false hope these cosmetic companies offer. I mean, there are a lot of people who still swear up and down that shaving your legs causes the hair to grow back thicker, when every medical professional will tell you that NOTHING will change the thickness of your hair strands except genetics. I’ve often heard this myth propagated by beauticians who work in waxing salons, who in every way seem like respectable professionals. It just goes to show the lengths some will go to make a quick buck.
People need to be extra vigilant about this kind of false advertising, especially when dealing with before and after photos because they are so EASILY manipulated. If you don’t see an advertising image that says “original photo, unretouched” then assume that it has been. Always compare the lighting in before and after shots. Harsh, top-down lighting is often used to illuminate flaws while softer, more even lighting is used to eliminate them in after shots. Check for even sharpness and clarity. Also check for falsies, it’s so easy to hide them if you know what you’re doing, proper lash extensions should be almost invisible.
And this is the internet people, anyone can come here and post their amazing anecdotes and claim to not be working for any cosmetic company. The truth is, while internet is definitely not anonymous, it might as well be because rarely is anyone held accountable. Use your common sense.
Finally, if there really is a drug in this product that makes your hair grow, I’d be very, very wary of the fact that it’s not posted on the bottle. Obviously, some drugs can have serious side effects, and putting yourself at risk for a little eyelash growth would be stupid indeed. I recall a few years ago a psoriasis “cure” which came in a little spray bottle. It worked very well, until it was eventually outted as having a strong prescription steroid in it and was quickly discontinued. These things really happen, and the FDA doesn’t always catch it right away.
Erin Says:
I have been using Revitalash since April (new formula) and I have to say that my lashes are dramatically longer. I am an educated professional (cenovis) and decided to try this product as my lashes were incredibly short and was contemplating getting eyelash extensions. I have the disposable income to not worry too much if it didn’t work so I gave it a shot and I am really happy that I did.
I now do not need to line my bottom lashes, they define my eyes without needing any extra help. My lashes do need a touch of mascara as the ends get a little lighter, but none the less it is a dramatic improvement.
I will probably have to buy this product for the rest of my life to maintain, but I am happy with the product and recommend it.
mamaboo Says:
i love this ongoing debate, very interesting. the new jan marini does indeed have this glaucoma drug in it, but the labeling had to be changed. i suspect the drug is a variation on the origina formula. the revitalash also has a variation of this drug. i have just ordered the revitalash, i wil let you know how it goes. the drug is latanaprost or xylatan–i am not sure if it is the generic name, i looked up this med and the side effects (from medical studies) are indeed longer, thicker and more numerous eyelashes. darkening of the iris may also happen but i read somewhere that it may be caused by the glaucoma itself with the medicine. i hear that dermatologists and opthamologists are prescribing this medicine just for eyelash growth. (???)
Left Brain Says:
There’s no proof that it has a glaucoma drug in it. If so, please provide the ingredient list. Where did you look up the side effects? What medical studies? We’ve searched and can’t find anything that says this product has been proven to help make eyelashes grow. Please enlighten.
hadley Says:
well, i am a healthy 36 yo woman whose dermatologist prescribed this for eyelash growth, not as a result of chemo. and i feel like a complete fool after researching this. i should have known when i got home and saw that i am only to apply to my upper lids, when the before &after shots showed growth on the lower lids as well. so, why then do they show such drastic growth on the lower lids if you are not supposed to use it there???
my dr. told me i was going to love the results and i am now feeling played by my dr. and the beauty industry….again…
Erin Says:
Hadley, it is recommended on the instructions that you use revitalash at night, so I put it on before I go to bed. So I guess it would spread to the lower lashes when you have your eyes shut or blink. It seems to be potent enough to work as my lower lashes are SO MUCH LONGER.
In fact, my eyebrow waxer has started to wax around my lower outer area around my eyes (something that he never did before and I have been going to him for 4 years). I tear up when I yawn, so I think it was mixing with my tears. I can’t say that is because of Revitalash, but like I said, he never had to do that before.
Sara Nightingale Says:
I have read this entire post and found not much more than I was already contemplating but was noticing that no one mentioned something straight off of the faq sheet on the revitalash site. The reason that I want to mention it is because it is what prompted me to start researching before purchase. Here’s what happened and what I noticed.
1. desperate for better lashes and ones that could handle everyday mascara use.
2. Found Revitalash but due to its price decided to look further before purchase.
3. read the ingredients
4. noticed “proprietary blend” and said hm.
5. read the faq sheet on their site and read the follwoing faq:
Some RevitaLash® users have reported a mild discoloration of the skin at the base of the eyelashes. If you notice such discoloration and it bothers you, please discontinue use of RevitaLash® Eyelash Conditioner.
Then I typed revitalash and steroid use into my google search bar. Why? because my mom has glaucoma in one eye and has been using what she calls “steroid drops” for a few years. We always joked around about how one eye had these long dark beautiful lashes. My mom has never worn maekup so it is very noticeable. We talked jokingly about putting the stuff on the other lid. However, the last year or so has changed this joke very much. Her eye is totally discolored and she looks like she has a black eye (like someone punched her); the lashes are indeed very long but the discoloration is terrible. Her doctor this is an unfortuinate side effect of the meds in some people. So I immediately wondered if the revitalash was using the saem steroid.
Seems after this post I ma fairly convinced by all of the anecdotal information that revitalash indeed does use a steroid and the side effect of that medication will work for some people.
This brings new questions to mind of course….
Left Brain Says:
Thanks for your comments Sara. You make logical deductions but this isn’t proof that Revitalash is using steroids or that the product works at all. Anecdotal information doesn’t convince me at all.
mamaboo Says:
i googled the words ‘latanprost’ and ‘eyelash growth studies’, and came up with this page:
http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00187577
which lead me to this page:
Clinical study proposal
and found study results that say there is ‘increase in eyelash number, length, thickness, curvature, and pigmentation’. there is a great deal more, try googling it yourself. if you google the newly listed chemical on the revitalash, you will see it is a prostaglandin.
mamaboo Says:
here are the ingredients of the ‘new’ formulation (or the new repackaging) of the revialash.
Ingredients: Deionized water, Carboxymethyl-Cellulose Sodium, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Dibasic, Sodium Phosphate, Benzalkonium Chloride, Panthenol ProVitamin B5, N-ethyl-9a, 11a, 15S-trihydroxy-17-phenyl-18, 19, 20-trinorprosta-5Z, 13E-dien-1-amide.
those last chemicals listed are the prostaglandin– which i read may be bitamaprost-a glaucoma drug (not sure if i spelled it correctly).
i do not understand why you could not find this info, i research everything i put on my face or in my body, and i have been looking into jan marini and revitalsh (that is how i found your site)out of curiosity. i really appreciate what your site is about, but it was not that hard to find this info myself. it is clear to me that the two eyelash growth products mentioned do indeed work, and that they contain prostaglandins, which must be listed clearly with the ingredients, and although i listed only two sites that have information about studies, there is more out there! can i have a job at thebeautybrains?? (LOL just kidding).
also–two weeks after starting revitalash use, there is an improvement in length. after 10 weeks i will send you one of my eyelashes so you can measure it. the average length of a human eyelash is 6mm, i have measured my longest lash at 9 mm (this after using products like talika, anastasia and mavala). i have not measured since revitalash. how did i measure? take a fallen eyelash (or pluck one) and use a thread to mark off the length with the curve, and measure. simple. i did not see my previous post listed about the sites i found that give study results, i guess you review the posts before you put them up, but just in case you did not get my post, let me know, i will send it again.
mamaboo Says:
for some reason my post with links pointing to studies and results is not showing up, (i tried 3 times) and i do not have time to figure it out why right now (although i will tonight), you can try googling the words ‘prostaglandin eyelash growth studies’ or ‘latanaprost eyelash growth studies’ and you will see quite a few results that point to legit studies that show that prostaglandin, which is the main ingredient in revitalsh and jan marini, do indeed improve the increase in eyelash number, length, thickness, curvature, and pigmentation.
Sara Says:
Hey Mamaboo. Thanks for the info.
I was wondering if (on behalf of those of us who who don’t have time or know how) could you please tell me if any of the studies you have found talk about the possibilities of the eyelid and iris darkening when using these medication for lash growth only. I have seen the studies that state that one of the side effects of the glaucoma meds is the darkening but I am trying to figure out before I buy it what chances one has of having this darkening when they aren’t putting it in their eye in larger doses. If you could see my mothers eye after years of use you would see why it scares me. And I do realize revitalash does say it can cause some darkening. I would just like to see what the chances of that lid darkening are and how severe they could become. I would also like to see more about the eye pressures from just applying it on the lid…although it goes to reason that if all glaucoma patients had to do was rub a little on thier lid they wouldn’t have to drop it in their eye (I know that reasoning is bad bad info no need to make a post regarding that). Also curious as to how much prostaglandin we would actually be getting in the revitalash in realstionship to a basic drop dosage.
I wish revitalash would come out of the closet and make this information available. I think it would be good to see their studies. Even though they aren’t fda approved I am sure they did testing to get the product that they have.
thebeautybrains Says:
Mamaboo,
Thanks for the information. You do realize of course, that eyelashes grow whether you use these products or not. To do a proper comparison (to determine if the product is working for you) you’ll have to leave one eye untreated and the other eye treated.
The fact that your eyelashes are longer just proves what everyone already knows, eyelashes grow.
As far as the papers you site, the first one is a clinical trial, the results of which have not been published. The clinical trial was specifically for people with a disease and not “normal” people. Therefore, the whatever the results are do not necessarily apply to general consumers. Also, since the trial was completed over 1 year ago and no publication was made, it is most likely that they observed No Effect. Why else wouldn’t they have published something?
The other paper you site is from 1997 and may actually support the fact that these drugs work. But 10 years later there haven’t been any definitive positive studies despite the fact that at least one university conducted one. Makes this Beauty Brain suspicious.
There are not numerous other examples of peer reviewed research. Since anyone can write anything on the web, Google research is little more reliable than asking a friend.
Finally, if these products do work as you’ve suggested it would make them drugs. Using unregulated drugs on your body is just crazy. The side effects that Sara has noted are very real and dangerous.
Do you really want to risk your eyesight for this?
I wouldn’t.
Rocky Says:
I am consistently shocked at the misinformation regarding these over-the-counter eyelash products. Here are the facts as I have been able to research - feel free to check on my facts!
First, NONE of the OTC products contain active glaucoma drug, either latanoprost or bimatoprost. If you examine the chemical formulas of Jan Marini, Revitalash, etc., and compare them to the formulas for the REAL drugs listed on their Full Prescribing Information (available to everyone on either the Pfizer or Allergan websites), they do NOT match. Neither product contains active drug because they would be in violation of FDA laws.
Second, both latanoprost and bimatoprost are Prostaglandin F 2 alpha analogues. The definition of Prostaglandin is a group of hormone-like substances that participate in a wide variety of bodily functions, including smooth muscle relaxation and contraction, dilation and constriction of blood vessels, blood pressure control, and inflammation. For those of you whose labor was induced, a prostaglandin was probably administered. The definition of analogue is a substance that is similar but not identical to another. There are currently 9 different prostaglandin receptors on cells that have been identified.
Third, what is in the OTC products? They are called synthases, defined as any of various enzymes that catalyze the the synthesis of a substance. The best analogy I can apply here is to compare the OTC products to beer. While the glaucoma drugs latanoprost and bimatoprost are a Coors, Budweiser or Corona, the OTC products are O’Douls. They are quite literally “near beer”, not the real thing.
Additionally, a synthase causes a reaction, which can cause another reaction, which causes another, etc. Have you seen the commercial where a husband keeps flipping a light switch and the garage door on the house next door keeps going up and down? The same is true of the OTC products. Applying the real drug is a more direct route physiologically to getting the desired results of eyelash growth. This doesn’t mean that the OTC products do not work!
The FDA requires ALL side effects, whether occuring pre-or-post marketing to be reflected in the Full Prescribing information. The OTC products may have information, but they are not required by law to release any of it. Hence, the Prescribing Information for latanoprost MUST state that one of the side effects includes “increased length, thickness, pigmentation and the number of lashes or hairs” etc. The incidence of “pigmentation of the periocular skin” with bimatoprost is 3% to 10%. “Increased pigmentation of the iris” with latanoprost occurred in 5% to 15% of patients, 1% to 3% with bimatoprost. However, as compared to a lot of prescription drugs that millions of people take every day, these drugs are relatively benign - please consult full prescribing information and do not use if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant!
If you want the real drug, by PRESCRIPTION ONLY, compounded into a topical gel (as opposed to an eyedrop), Luxette(TM) is available from Civic Center Pharmacy in Scottsdale, AZ. They are a compounding pharmacy - this means they cannot make any specific claims about hair growth (just like the OTC products)and they are not required to receive FDA approval for their compounds (any good compounding pharmacy use INGREDIENTS that are FDA approved).
Here are my research sources: Bimatoprost and Latanoprost Prescribing Information; Archives of Ophthalomology Vol 118, May 2000; Prostaglandin analogs for hair growth - great expectations; Pub Med article on Prostaglandin induced hair growth (Surv Ophthalmology August 2002 - 47Suppl 1:S 185-202 by MA Johnstone; http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/42/6/1134
By the way, a major pharmaceutical company has applied for a patent on using a topical prostaglandin F analogue for hair growth.
thebeautybrains Says:
Rocky, thanks for the information. Very interesting.
Just one question. I could find no US trademark (uspto.gov) for Luxette and there is nothing on the Civic Center Pharmacy’s website about it. What is your source for this information?
As to the major pharmaceutical company, it looks like it is our good friends at P&G in conjunction with Duke University. Here are their patent applications…
Patent Applications
No surprise there.
Sara Says:
Hi beautybrains,
I think I will just buy it and try to produce more “anecdotal” results. I remember once reading an article that was going over a bunch of “old wives tales” one in particular that I remember is that for a very long time gramma has been saying “go eat some chicken soup; it’ll make you feel better” and then it came to pass that an enzyme in chicken broth actually did some good to fight the common cold….of course this too is just more useless info unless I go out and research the topic…which I won’t be. I am going to go purchase a bottle of revitalash, give it a try, go to my eye doctor regularly, and see what happens. I am sure it will all get sorted out eventually. Meanwhile I will either have beautiful lashes or I will be on to the next thing. Thanks for your help.
mamaboo Says:
thank you, thank you, thank you, rocky! your post was very informative, thanks for taking the time!. if i had the time yesterday, i would have also pointed out that there is probably not enough of these ‘prostaglandin drug variations’ in either the revitalash or marini products to really make a difference as far as the side effects like pigmentation, etc. i like your comparison using the beer! besides, the way you use revitalash and marini lash products, not much will get in the eye, but it is designed that some of it will. i would imagine that applying it to the eyelash base is like watering a telephone pole to make it grow. it will, however, get the active ingredient into the eye in small amounts by absorbtion through the mucous membrane and the tear ducts, which is the way the rx meds work, only they are delivered directly into the eye in much larger concentrations. if this stuff did makes lashes grow by applying it to the base or root, then everyone would be using it to grow hair on other places on the body (anyone have info about that?).
i also understand that the active ingredient is a just form of the prostaglandin, and if you notice, it is listed last. ingredients are listed according to amount, largest amounts listed first, lowest last.
as far as the studies i cited, that was just an example of the various studies i have read, i chose that one as an example because it came up first on google. my point was to show that there are indeed studies about the active ingredient really giving the intended results. many of the studies on the prescription meds do mention the darkening of skin and iris, which is unfortunate in your mother’s case, sara, but the question for her is this: is the medication taking care of the problem it was prescribed for? there always seems to be a trade off. i understand that other rx’s for glaucoma (non-protaglandin drugs) have worse side effects, and since your mom has been using her med for a very long time, the doctor should have noticed her particular side effects (and this irks me about some doctors and their prescribing habits). i truly feel bad for her.
speaking af prescribing habits of doctors, another point i wish to make is the fact that i know of cosmeticians who convince clients that these prescription medications for glaucoma are okay to use only for eyelash growth, and advise clients to use them - and go as far as refering people to doctors who will prescribe it for something other than glaucoma, and i think that is going way too far.
and yes, eyelashes get longer, but the problem is they fall out before they ever get much past 6mm, and so far these products get the lash to grow to a length much more than that before they fall out, and causes them to be more numerous, to be thicker, darker and curlier than they would be normally. it may not work for everyone, but for women who hate to wear mascara, who have very sparse or no lashes and non existent eyebrows (like a cancer patient) this could be a god-send.
this is not to say it is all good! these companies that make these claims really do need some intense scientific studies to back their claims, especially when they charge obscene amounts for such a tiny bit of product, (not to mention the questionability of the active ingredient). relying on past studies, and so few studies is just not enough. and those before and after pictures! anyone can see they are doctored, why do this? i actually saw one that was not even the same person’s eye in the ‘after shot’! this kind of poor advertising on a product (which have good testimonial)is just that, poor advertising! (note: the ads i have seen like this were for spas that sell the products mentioned) bad ads like this will lead you think the product is a scam!
thanks all for this lively discussion! it surely brightens my day to communicate with such intelligent individuals! a truly good scientist questions everything!
Brandi D'Amore Says:
As a consumer tester, I was asked to test this product.
There are multiple issues here that need addressing. I must tell you that the vitriol of Left Brain has had some wonder if LB is being paid to dismiss the product out of hand.
The product doesn’t claim to regrow lashes that have fallen out and due to age, trauma, etc., not longer have a bulb in the eyelid. However, it does indicate that the lashes that are in the lid will grow longer, and that is for two reasons: one, the forumlation encourages growth, but also the eyelash is in the growth stage longer than normal. (Normally, an eyelash has x life expectancy before it falls out. Much like when woman are pregnant and their hair does not fall out and grows longer, the eyelash in in a longer growth phase before fallout.)
Due to stringent FDA guidelines, the company’s wording must be carefully constructed.
I can tell you that while testing a number of women, myself included, significant growth was noticed after three weeks. The growth was reflected in an overall longer length as opposed to a rapid “growth” spurt. The lashes grow to a longer length because they are in a longer growth phase, therefore overall women had longer lashes. For aging women, whose growth cycles becomes sluggish, this is a god send.
Additionally, Patricia Wexler, a reknowned dermatologist highly recommends the product, and being a doctor, would not make such claims liberally.
Has anyone from Beauty Brains bothered to contact Mark Marinovich of JM to obtain the clinical evidence. Additionally the same analog technology is being used by other companies as well (such technology administered via swabs).
The product worked so well that I contacted staff at the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles to discuss the application of the product to children to speed eyelash growth, as this is one of the reasons children feel abnormal is the alopecia that occurs. In fact, JM product is considered potentially SO EFFECTIVE that it must be applied after any treatments, post-radiation/chemo, (as cancer is rapid irregular cell growth) .
Get the facts straight. You’re not going to have overnight rapid “Growth.” what you will have is that when lashes fall out, a lessened refractory period for the hair to start growing and lash that will be longer before fall out.
Recommended Daily Allowance Says:
Additionally, when used on eyebrows with sparse areas of eyebrow growth, we found growth.
One of the thing people need to realize is that it requires constant application. It does not permanently change the lash growth.
Lastly, as my expertise is on not only efficacy but cost-effectiveness, if someone is spending $30 or more on a mascara (say a dept. store brand) that is used every day and need to be tossed for hygiene reasons once every three months, then the cost per use on JM products may actually be much less as a tube lasts when used correctly at least six months.
thebeautybrains Says:
Thanks for you comments Brandi. I can assure you I’m not being paid to dismiss the product out of hand. Feel free to go back and read the rest of the comments before you make such judgments.
All I’ve done is to say the following.
1. There is scant real evidence that it works. Lots of anecdotes (your own included) but minimal scientific studies.
2. If the product does work as claimed, it is a DRUG. It would be ILLEGAL to sell as a cosmetic. It would be sold only by prescription by doctors.
Nothing you’ve said disputes these two facts.
Feel free to check the rest of the blog for articles about JM. Particularly the one where JM admits the product “…is not intended to stop, prevent, cure, relieve, reverse or reduce eyelash loss or to promote the growth of eyelashes”
“Not intended to promote the growth of eyelashes.” These are the company’s words, not mine.
thebeautybrains Says:
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The Beauty Brains » Blog Archive » More Trouble for Jan Marini Says:
[...] may be the final straw that scares Jan Marini out of the eyelash lengthening business forever. According to Jan Marini herself, “We believe [...]