Thursday, February 18, 2010

Knifestyles of the Rich & Famous


After World War One, a New Zealand otolaryngologist by the name of Harold Gillies began developing the techniques now used for modern plastic surgery. His intention was to aid and to care for soldiers suffering from severely disfiguring facial injuries. His work was expanded on in World War 2 by his cousin and former student Archibald Mcindoe.

Plastic surgery is no longer a field strictly for philanthropy. Plastic surgery and dermatology are now the most competitive specialties among medical students awaiting acceptance into residency programs. Why? They are among the top paying medical specialties with very flexible hours.

The latest craze as been eyelash implants. The eyelash implant procedure basically is a specialized hair transplant. Hairs follicles are taken from the patients brow and scalp and transplanted into the cells where their eyelashes grow. The problem with eyelash implants however, is that the lashes grow in a similar way the hair from your scalp or brow grows, straight and long. Eyelashes need constant trimming and many testimonials complain that the lashes never look quite right.

This is why many people have begun to use eyedrops manufactured by the company Lumigan or Latisse. Lumigan was originally made to control the progression of glaucoma. In patients using opthalmic prostaglandins it has been anecdotally noted that their lashes have grown long and luscious. On Dec.5th, 2008, the FDA Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drug Advisory Committee voted to approve bimatoprost for the cosmetic use of darkening and lengthening lashes. The product quickly developed a cult following and even actress Brook Shields became a Latisse spokesperson. The product received negative attention when rumors began to fly that the use of Lumigan or Latisse darkened patients' irises. Latisse denied these claims stating that subjects irises did not darken in clinical studies. They did state however that, "patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent."

Longer, health looking eyelashes with virtually free side effects still remains non-existent. Hopefully they will tweak the Lumigan formula in the next decade. Until then, the closest thing to that remains to lush lashes is eyelash extensions.