Earlier today, U.S. marshals seized over 12,000 tubes—about $2 million dollars worth—of Age Intervention Eyelash, sold by Jan Marini Skin Research, Inc. The FDA considers the product “adulterated” and potentially dangerous, and has urged “consumers, dermatologists and beauticians” who have already bought the $160 product to stop using it. So what’s the big deal? According to this lawsuit site, it contains bimatoprost, “an active ingredient in an FDA approved drug to treat elevated intraocular pressure.” Oops.

Wikipedia says bimatoprost is used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension and goes by the brand name Lumigan in the U.S. It counts the following among its side effects:

• May permanently darken eyelashes;
• May eventually cause permanent darkening of the iris to brown (heterochromia).
• May cause a temporary burning sensation during use.
• May cause thickening of the eyelashes.

Seriously: $160. a. tube. It should treat some medical condition for that price.

“Potentially harmful cosmetic eye product seized” [Reuters]

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Wikipedia entry for bimatoprost
crazy lawsuit site
(Photo: Steve Isaacs)

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