The scourge of too-thin eyelashes has finally, triumphantly come to an end.  Latisse, a prescription product originally tested as a glaucoma medicine, is here to rescue us from those dark days of yore.  The days when everyone had "some" lashes, and no one really cared.

Here's the thing: I have talked to many women about this issue, and none of them ever expressed anxiety about the thickness or length of their eyelashes.  And yet the commercials make it sound like this is the female version of the male obsession with thickness and length.  (Which is silly enough, but keep in mind that eyelashes don't actually DO ANYTHING.)  The only concern I have ever heard is from blonde women, whose eyelashes are invisible if they don't use mascara, and NO eyelashes is indeed a somewhat unsettling look.

I have been watching a lot of Hulu lately, and I assume they are targeting ads by demographic, because I seemingly get nothing but ads for Latisse and contraception.  I have watched the Latisse ad at least a hundred times in the last month, and each time it baffles me more than the time before.

For one thing, I swear to frickin' gawd, I cannot tell the difference between the "before" and "after" photos.  If that's the only difference after six weeks of treatment with a prescription (a.k.a. expensive) medication, then SIGN ME UP.  As far as I can tell, the only difference is in the volume of mascara which has been applied, and also the direction in which the lashes have been brushed.  I seriously don't see it.

But let's take it on faith that Latisse does make a difference.  A faint difference, to be sure, but remember that this was originally a glaucoma medicine.  It was only after the test subjects reported growing thicker fuller lashes that the researchers discovered it as a side effect.

Let's talk about the harm.  Latisse can cause redness and irritation (well, so can other glaucoma medications, if you know what I mean, and I think you do).  It can also cause darkening of the skin of the eyelid, which "may be" temporary.  Well, anyone using Latisse is probably a habitual eye shadow user anyway, so that's not such a big deal.

But what is this about "increased brown pigmentation of the colored part of the eye, which is likely to be permanent"?  That's a real side effect.  Your eyes could change color, and never change back.

Not to mention that if you want Latisse's benefits, you have to take Latisse.  FOREVER.  Talk about a racket!  I wonder how much Latisse will cost, over say a ten year period?  Brooke Shields doesn't talk about the cost in the commercial.  She's too busy dancing at the birthday party of a woman who's walking around in a nightgown.  (?)

Is it a good idea to take glaucoma medicine when you do not have glaucoma?  I can't say.  But I can hazard a guess that if you're going to take a glaucoma medicine, you might want to choose something other than Latisse to spend your money on.  Something less harmful, and more likely to make you feel okay about your eyelashes.