Meta-Analysis
Topical Eflornithine used in treating hirsutism cases in females. Available in ointment form. It can be ordered through a prescription.
Mechanism of Action
Eflornithine, the active ingredient of Vaniqa, is an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase that plays a crucial role in the polyamines involved in cell division and hair growth.The result is a slowdown of the anagen ( growth phase ) coupled with an increased duration of telogen ( resting phase ) that slows down hair growth.
Clinical studies have reported diminishing of hairthickness and speed of hair growth within two weeks of Vaniqa treatment. Facial hair remains a source of stigma for the majority of women. The use of Vaniqa has been reported to mitigate the bother and discomfort caused by excessive facial hair and improve overall well-being
How to use
Vaniqa comes in ointment form and is designed for use in facial areas and adjacent regions with excessive hair growth like the upper lips, cheek regions, and around the mouth and chin.The best way to use Vaniqa is to apply a 1-cm layer of the ointment to the facial regions with hair growth and wait for the medication to be completely absorbed into the skin before applying sunscreen.
Do not use Vaniqa on other parts of the body.The medication use may lead to a mild tingling or stinging sensation. Discontinue the medication if the problems persist or increase in intensity and consult the physician.
Safety and Effectivity
In clinical studies conducted on women with excessive hair growth, the medication was observed to be safe and effective method for reducing facial hair growth, especially when applied to shaved skin.
A decrease in the intensity of hair coupled with a mild slowdown of hair growth was observed within two to eight weeks of using the medication. 58% reported visible changes in facial hair growth after twenty-four weeks of treatment. 32% of participants showed marked improvement. Adverse reactions occurred only in the skin in the form of burning, stinging and tingling sensations that were reversed after a period of time.
The study showed that Vaniqa is a proven remedy for dealing with excessive facial hair in women. However, it needs to be used continuously to maintain the effects.In the same study, hair growth returned to the pretreatment phase within eight to ten weeks of discontinuing the ointment.
Side Effects and Contraindications
Because of its topical nature, Vaniqa is mostly safe to use. Even then, side effects can occur in the form of redness, rashes, severe itching and swelling of the area of application.
Vaniqa is contraindicated in
- Women allergic to Eflornithine or the ingredients of Vaniqa
- In children or females less than 18 years old
- In individuals who have recently undergone facial semi-surgical treatments
There is no clinical evidence of Vaniqa adversely impacting pregnant women. But for safety purposes, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised against using Vaniqa.
How to buy Vaniqa
Vaniqa is a prescription medication and not readily available OTC. You can obtain the medicated cream from pharmacies or GP offices with retail counters. Additionally, you can order it online. Ensure that you choose a reputed website to order the medicine.
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