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Do you know that around 40% of women have to deal with unwanted facial hair? While it isn't much of a problem for many, a few of the affected go through intense emotional distress and lowered self-esteem due to societal beauty standards and the stigma surrounding facial hair on women.
Many feel pressured to seek frequent, often costly, hair removal treatments, which can include waxing, threading, laser treatments, or other methods that demand time and financial commitment. But don't worry—Vaniqa cream offers a safer and more effective alternative to the removal of facial hair.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about Vaniqa cream. We will discuss how it works, its cost analysis, and how to use it properly for maximum results. If you're wondering whether Vaniqa cream is the best for you, keep reading to make an informed decision.
What is Eflornithine Hydrochloride?
The active ingredient of Vaniqa cream is eflornithine hydrochloride, a compound known to inhibit hair growth. It was first used to treat African sleeping sickness caused by the tsetse fly. Later, it was discovered that eflornithine also inhibits certain enzymes in the hair follicles, reducing hair growth. All these efforts led to Vaniqa cream, which we now use to manage unwanted facial hair in women.
The US Food and Drug Administration approved Vaniqa cream in 2000 to reduce unwanted facial hair. Although results vary, studies have shown that up to 60% of users find a significant decrease in facial hair after consistent use for several months.
How Does Vaniqa Cream (Eflornithine) Work?
A brief description of hair growth biology can better help you understand how eflornithine hydrochloride works.
Every hair on your body comes out of a follicle—a small but rather complex structure just below the skin. Ornithine decarboxylase is the enzyme that controls hair growth. The enzyme allows cell proliferation and growth in hair follicles, allowing for continuous hair growth.
The active ingredient in Vaniqa cream works by inhibiting the ornithine decarboxylase enzyme present in the hair follicle. The inhibition of this enzyme ultimately leads to poor hair growth. In simple terms, Vaniqa cream doesn't just remove hair; it slows down the biological process that leads to hair growth. This is the reason why it is labeled as a "growth-inhibiting" cream instead of a hair removal cream.
How Long Does it Take for Eflornithine to Show Its Effects?
Eflornithine does not work overnight. The trials have demonstrated that proper and persistent application is required over a period of eight to twelve weeks before users can see some significant changes.
In the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, a review indicates that after eight weeks, 58% of patients showed a significant reduction in facial hair. With further continuation, this effect continues, providing smoother skin for much longer periods than the application time of the traditional methods.
The only thing you need to remember is that Vaniqa is not a hair removal method. Instead, it acts as a hair growth inhibitor and shows maximum benefits after consistent use for several weeks.
Where Can I Get Vaniqa?
While Vaniqa was previously a popular prescription option for treating hirsutism, it has been discontinued for financial reasons. However, there's good news - the same active ingredient, eflornithine, is still available through Oana Health. Oana Health offers the identical active ingredient that made Vaniqa successful in treating unwanted facial hair.
