Look to natural remedies and your thyroid for beautiful lashes.

As people grow older, hair follicles—even eyelashes—begin to lose their “oomph.” But that’s no reason to fall for those LATISSE ads.

The product’s side effects include darkening eyelid skin, possible browning of the iris of the eye itself, and dry, itchy, red eyes and lids.

What you also may not realize is this eyelash product is actually an ophthalmic solution used for glaucoma, a dangerous vision disorder. Common side effects of bimatoprost, the active ingredient, include conjunctivitis (burning, red, swollen eyes), permanent iris discoloration, and darkened skin around the eyes.

Then there’s the possibility of hair growth in places where you least want it—under your eyes! That’s why LATISSE recommends using this product only at the base of the upper eyelid.

Any eyelash growth—and many of the adverse effects—from LATISSE will disappear as soon as you stop using it. But there are a lot safer ways to lengthen and support your lashes—without paying $4 a day!

Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:

LATISSE and other “miracle” eyelash products sure sound appealing—until you read the fine print.

First off, always treat your eyelashes with respect. Curlers, false lashes, and extensions increase the possibility of dry, brittle eyelashes.

Remember whenever you put something on your lashes, again and again, you run the risk of bacterial contamination. Three months after opening mascara, close to 40% of these products contain Staphylococcus bacteria, which can cause blepharitis (a chronic infection of the eyelash follicles). Toss any eye products the minute your eyes start to itch or tear.

Use “clean” mascara without toxic ingredients—never any products with thimerosal, a common mercury-derived ingredient that’s been linked to brain damage, even at low levels. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website (www.cosmeticsdatabase.com) which rates mascara and other beauty products for safety.

At the Root of the Problem

Luckily, there are many natural ways to help thicken and grow eyelashes. You can condition eyelash follicles with good old-fashioned castor oil. Just wash your hands thoroughly, and then massage one drop of natural oil into the base of your eyelashes twice daily.

I’ve always been a great believer in the concept of “beauty foods.”  Since hair is 98% protein, make sure you’re eating eggs, grass-fed meats, and poultry.

Essential for overall health, “good” fats—in fish and flaxseed oil plus GLA in black currant, borage, and evening primrose oils—also combat dry, brittle hair and lashes.

B vitamins, including 5 mg of biotin, help prevent hair loss. Zinc stimulates hair growth and balances your body’s level of copper, a mineral that I’ve found depresses thyroid function in my clients.

The Thyroid Connection

A sluggish thyroid weakens eyelashes and other hair follicles (including eyebrows), leading to brittle, pale lashes and hair loss, while interfering with circulation and the delivery of nutrients. In addition to copper overload, environmental toxins—including a common household chemical found in everything from carpets and sofas to nonstick cookware and greaseproof wrappers—have been linked to thyroid dysfunction.

People with higher levels of this particular toxin, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are twice as likely to have thyroid problems as those with low levels of this chemical, reports a new study in Environmental Health Perspectives. PFOA is so stable that it persists for years in human and animal tissue.

That’s one reason I believe that gentle seasonal detox, like the protocol described in Fat Flush for Life, The Year-Round Super Detox Plan to Boost Your Metabolism and Keep the Weight Off Permanently, is the most effective way to eliminate toxins in the body. It’s important to nourish your body during cleansing—and to accompany detox with seasonal fitness and wellness support.

Need Iodine?

Low levels of iodine in the diet are yet another cause of thyroid problems. This gland depends upon iodine to produce hormones, like thyroxin that regulates energy metabolism.

One simple way to increase your iodine intake is to season foods with Seaweed Gomasio, a combination of iodine-rich sea vegetables and sesame seeds. This traditional Japanese seasoning is a healthy, flavorful alternative to table salt.

If—in addition to eyelash and other hair loss—you experience fatigue, depression, constipation, increased sensitivity to cold, facial puffiness, muscle stiffness, and unexplained weight gain, consider Tissue Mineral Analysis (TMA). I have found that TMA, which reflects how thyroid hormone is utilized on a cellular level over a three-month period, can be a much more reliable assessment than blood testing.

Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/10signs.htm
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34277078/ns/today-today_fashion_and_beauty/
www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19874254
www.realself.com/news/Latisse-side-effects-what-are-women-really-experiencing/128898