Coming soon: A drug that grows longer, thicker eyelashes.

Byline: ANI

London, Jan 15 (ANI): Mascara may soon become be a thing of the past, for scientists have created a drug that grows longer, thicker eyelashes.

US pharmaceutical firm Allergan, which also markets popular wrinkle treatment Botox, is the company behind the drug, Latisse, reports the Sun.

It uses the same formula as glaucoma drug Lumigan after scientists noticed the anti-blindness treatment boosted lashes.

Trials showed that lashes became a quarter longer and twice as thick using Latisse.

The liquid, applied every night to the base of the hairs, also made them 18 per cent darker.

Latisse will be available on prescription in the US later this month, costing around 80 pounds for a full month-long course of treatment.

The drug is expected to be launched in the UK soon after, mainly through cosmetic doctors.

Cindy Ross, who took part in clinical trials, said: "People would say, 'Are you wearing false eyelashes?'"

However, some doctors warned that the drug could have unwanted side effects - and change users' eye-colour.

Glaucoma patients using the drug often have permanently darker eyes after six months of treatment.

Side effects can include temporary red eyes, itching and darker eyelids.

However, Allergan said 65 million bottles of Lumigan had been sold with no reports of serious injury. (ANI)

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