Paula and I get lots of requests to review the glut of lash growth products being sold. We’ve covered the big ones, but there was one we hadn’t reviewed until recently: RapidLash. After analyzing the formula and scouring published research to serve as the basis for our review, we came to the following conclusion: RapidLash doesn’t work as claimed.
I am sure many women were disappointed, as they really wanted to believe this was a slam-dunk alternative to prescription lash-growth product Latisse (which really does work and, unlike RapidLash, is supported by published studies confirming its efficacy). After all, RapidLash is widely available (I’m surprised I haven’t seen it sold at my local Safeway, right there in the checkout aisle) and, at $49.95 per tube, is a relative bargain compared to Latisse.
Even though we couldn’t find any ingredient in RapidLash that is proven to grow longer, thicker, darker lashes (and eyebrows), the number of online comments from women who use this product were too great to ignore. In fact, I mentioned this in our review: “What I can’t account for is the number of women who’ve tried RapidLash and swear that it worked for them. You can find pages and pages of positive reviews for this product, not to mention a legion of fans on Facebook, and endless mentions in fashion magazines.” Even though we presented this perspective, it hasn’t stopped several women from writing to us, describing our assessment of RapidLash as unfair, one-sided, or just plain wrong.
Sigh. I admit, to some extent, I expected a bit of a backlash. After all, if RapidLash works for you you’ll know it: the results are staring back at you with each glance in the mirror. It could be (and probably is) a placebo effect, something that often happens in the cosmetic industry, but that doesn’t change the emotional personal experience. However, there may be another reason we hadn’t considered before. Given that RapidLash doesn’t contain anything proven to grow longer, thicker lashes, perhaps the company that makes it (International Research Laboratories) is using something in their product without revealing to consumers what it is. We have no proof that this is true—it’s merely speculation on our part—but it would explain why women are seeing results if it isn’t just a placebo effect.
Arkansas plastic surgeon Dr. Ramona Bates also thinks something may be amiss with RapidLash. Why? As she reports on emaxhealth.com, there have been concerns from consumers over irritation along the lash line and pigmentation changes to the eye from RapidLash, two potential side effects for the prescription eyelash growth product Latisse. We know Latisse’s active ingredient and how it functions. We also know its potential side effects, which include what some users of RapidLash have reported. Whether or not there’s a legitimate connection has yet to (and may never) be confirmed. If it were me, and I have used lash growth products in the past, I’d go for the one with research behind its formula, not to mention up front information about safety concerns and known side effects. That means Latisse, even though it’s more expensive and requires a prescription. When it comes to the health and safety of your eyes, why wouldn’t you go with what’s been proven safe and effective rather than a similar product awash in the art of cosmetic claims?
