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• Vaniqa - First Ever Prescription to Stop Facial Hair Growth

• HairSite Editorial

• 2/28/00

The technical name is Hirsutism (for excessive facial hair growth) and for some women,  it can be as devastating as losing your hair.  According to some studies, close to 20% women have to use some kinds of hair removal products on a weekly basis. Some of the more popular products are hot wax, electric current, lasers and of course the traditional razor. Many of the existing treatments have shortcomings. Waxing can dehydrate the skin. Electrolysis can be painful and requires multiple sessions at anywhere from US $75 - $120 per session. Shaving can cause stubble. Depilatories or hair removal creams can irritate the skin. Laser removal is too expensive. Some doctors have prescribed birth control pills but there can be unpleasant side effects such as hormonal imbalance and weight gain.

Now for the first time, pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb together with Gillette, the world's largest manufacturer of razors, have developed Vaniqa - a cream that can stop facial hair growth. Vaniqa is available only by prescription and will be on the market sometime this year pending FDA approval. It does not appear that that Vaniqa will have problem winning FDA stamp of approval.

Vaniqa feels like the regular moisturizer that we use. It is applied to the face twice daily. The key ingredient in Vaniqa works by inhibiting the enzyme that makes hair grow. Long term use is required or the facial hair will come back. As of now, no major side effects are reported other than an occasional rash on some women. But more may be discovered once the product has gone through all the FDA trials and testings.

Similar to most lifestyle drugs such as Propecia, Vaniqa will not be covered by insurance. While it is nice to have another alternative to treating excessive facial hair growth, Vaniqa is still not the permanent answer. Again, it has to be applied twice daily. It is unclear how the cream will affect the daily regimen of moisturizers, sunscreen and makeup that most women are so accustomed to. Also, the facial hair will come back if treatment is discontinued. Vaniqa does appear to be a long term commitment and the ultimate cost in maintaining the treatment may far exceeds that of a permanent laser hair removal. If you can spare the expense, we suggest permanent laser hair removal.

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