The quest for beautiful looking eyes has been a major thing in the cosmetic industry, and that quest has been around for centuries already. Having beautiful looking eyes makes any woman look more attractive, and this can be brought about by having loneg lashes. This is why numerous products that promise longer, fuller and voluminous looking lashes have been making waves all over.
Revitalash Eyelash Conditioner by Athena Cosmetics is just one of those eyelash conditioning products that women from all around the world have been going crazy over. This product promises to enhance, lengthen and improve the overall look of the eyelashes with continuous use.
A Touching Story Behind Revitalash
This product was formulated by a 25 year opthalmologist who developed the product as a gift for his wife, who was suffering from cancer and had sparse eyelashes as an effect of her chemotherapy. The product eventually worked, and people started to show interest on the product. Eventually, Revitalash was made available for everyone. To add a more touching note to the history of the product – part of the profits of this product is donated for breast cancer research.
While plenty of women may find this product amazing because of its cause and its effect, Revitalash also has its own share of downsides. The product has had its own share of issues, from side effects to patent infringements to lawsuits filed against them.
What Happened To Formula One?
When Revitalash was introduced in the market it contained the prescription drug bimatoprost. Bimatoprost is derived from prostaglanding and is used to treat glaucoma and other eye problems such as ocular pressure. Bimatoprost is marketed by Allegran (the same makers of botox), under the name Lumigan. It is also the acive ingredient in their eyelash lengthening product, Latisse.
Because of this, Revitalash (along with two other companies that manufacture other brands of eyelash lengthening products) have been sued by Allegran because of patent infringement.
In 2007, the FDA seized Jan Marini’s Age Intervention Eyelash because it contained the same active ingredients – and was not yet proven by the FDA during that time.
Because of the lawsuit over patent infringement, and the recall of the Jan Marini Age Intervention Eyelash, the makers of Revitalash voluntarily took out all its products from the market and came out with a reformulated and improved product, without bimatoprost.
The New Revitalash
While Revitalash did reformulate the product and took away the active ingredient bimatorpost – the makers replaced the active ingredient with another prostaglandin analog, Latanoprost. Latanoprost works basically just like bimatoprost and is also used as a drug for glaucoma.
While the new version of Revitalash does work to increase the length and volume of eyelashes, it does not work as well and as fast as its original version. Also, many people have complained about several side effects caused by the product.
Revitalash Side Effects
The official website of Revitalash warns consumers of mild side effects, including itching and irritation at the base of the lashes. Another mild side effect includes discoloration of the skin around the eyes, where the product is applied.
However, there are more side effects that happen to be worse than the ones mentioned in the official product website. Some of these side effects include darkening of the eye color from blue or green to brown – and this effect is said to be a permanent one. Some users have also complained that their eyelashes turning sparse and brittle because of the product.
Plenty of past users have complained about these side effects. While talks about a class action lawsuit has been going around, no action has been taken against Revitalash just yet.
I purchased Revitalash from a local upscale custom make-up speciality store in roslyn, new york. I was all the rage. Sold to me with all the hype of long thick lashes achieved after 1-months usage 1xdaily. Well I didn’t get longer thicker lashes what I did get was/still is brown blotchie type coloring on my right eyelid, this was about one year ago. Now I’m noticing bumps over the browned skin. Do I have any recourse again the company. I just want the brown now bumpy area brought back to it;s original color and texture. Thank You Linda Scialo 1/19/11
I too am a chemo patient. My oncology plastic surgeon at THE CLEVELAND CLINIC recommended Revitalash. It has worked great. I have suffered with scratchy, stuble, poor excuse for eyelashes, for the past two years. I started the Revitalash in October and in 4 months have long gorgeous lashes. They are not as full as my friends that use Latisse but for my $100.00 every six months versus their $100.00 a month I am very satisfied.