What is Vaniqa Cream and What is it used for?
Vaniqa is a skin cream prescribed for women with excessive facial hair growth. This phenomenon is called Facial Hirsutism. It is a topical route medication used in the treatment of excess facial hair on most parts of the face and under the chin area. It is the only prescription medication for facial hair treatment and a very effective one. Its active component is Eflornithine and it is a facial cream that is not advised for use in any other part of the body.
What is Vaniqa (Eflornithine Cream) made up of?
The active component of Vaniqa cream is a chemical called ‘Eflornithine hydrochloride’. It is a type of amino acid that helps in controlling hair growth. Other ingredients include Cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, mineral oils, to name a few.
How does the vaniqa cream work?
Vaniqa cream is designed to slow down hair growth from within. Even though it is a topical medication, the cream acts on the very root of the problem. Eflornithine is also called the ‘suicide inhibitor’; it is used to prevent undesirable facial hair from growing around the lips or beneath the chin. It works by inhibiting a natural chemical found in your hair follicle that is required for hair growth. The hair follicle is a sac-like structure present on the skin’s surface where the hair root is present. The cream acts on the hair follicles and inhibits the cells from producing any more hair in the region.
Does Vaniqa help to completely stop facial hair growth?
Although Vaniqa cream is very effective in controlling excessive facial growth it does make the existing hair fall out or remove it completely. Rather, the cream helps in slowing down the rapid hair growth and may even help in thinning of the hair. It is not a complete cure but it helps in keeping the vigorous growth under control. So, continue to follow your hair removal methods such as shaving, plucking, etc. simultaneously for better results.
Does Vaniqa have positive reviews?
Vaniqa users have described the cream to be “very effective in tackling unwanted facial hair” and claim to have seen good results in very few weeks of its use. Other users suggest that they have been using the cream for many years now and it has been very effective over time.
How to use Vaniqa cream?
Vaniqa cream should be administered twice daily, at least eight hours apart, to the affected area. Only the affected parts of the face and under the chin have shown efficacy. These are the only areas where it should be used. Under clinical trials, it was shown that the maximum administered doses up to 30 grams per month were safe and advisable.
What is the dosage information on Vaniqa?
Vaniqa cream has 13.9% strength, meaning it has 139mg/g of Eflornithine, the active component alongside other chemicals. It is suitable only for adult women suffering from facial Hirsutism or unwanted facial hair. It is strictly not for use for children. You can apply a thin layer of the cream and allow it to stay for over 4 hours before washing it off. It is only advised for women with excess facial hair and must be limited for use only in the facial region and a little below the chin.
Can Vaniqa be used in combination with other treatments?
If there are other treatments in addition to Vaniqa, continue to employ hair removal treatments as needed. After your hair removal treatment, apply Vaniqa for at least 5 minutes. After the lotion has dried, you can apply cosmetics or sunscreen to the treated regions, if required.
What are the directions to apply Vaniqa cream?
- The affected region should be washed and dried.
- Apply a tiny layer to the affected area(s) and gently rub it in until it is completely absorbed.
- Only use the Vaniqa cream on the troubled regions of your skin. Allow no cream to come into contact with your eyes, mouth, or vaginal area.
- After using Vaniqa, wait at least 4 hours before cleaning the region where it was applied.
- In case you have other hair removal methods, you have to wait at least 5 minutes before applying the cream.
- After the eflornithine lotion has dried, you can apply cosmetics or sunscreen. If you apply eflornithine to broken skin, you may experience temporary stinging or burning.
Are there any Vaniqa side effects?
There may be some rare cases of allergic reaction when first applying the cream. Burning, stinging, tingling, redness of the skin, skin dryness or even a headache are all possible side effects. In case these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor.
If any of these unlikely but dangerous side effects develop, contact your doctor straight away. These may include acne, “hair bumps” (folliculitis), severe irritation around the area of application, inflammation, etc.
This medicine seldom causes a severe allergic reaction. However, if you detect any symptoms of a major allergic response, such as a rash, itching or swelling particularly of the face or throat, extreme dizziness, or problems breathing, seek medical help right once.
Are there any precautions to be taken before using the cream?
- If you are allergic to eflornithine or any other medications, inform your doctor and pharmacist.
- Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any additional drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products you’re using, both prescription and non-prescription.
- If you have or have ever had severe acne problems, tell your doctor. Pregnant women better consult their physician before using the cream.
Where can I buy Vaniqa cream in Australia?
Vaniqa cream can be easily purchased in either drug stores or online using your doctor’s prescription. It is available almost in all places and is a very common topical medication.
Can I buy Vaniqa online in Australia?
Vaniqa cream can be easily bought online from many verified websites with or without a prescription. It is for use above 18 years of age only and can be easily bought off online registered websites.
