Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Vaniqa and its Problems

Vaniqa is a new and interesting hair removal product. It is sold by Bristol Meyers Squibb and Gillette and costs about $45 for a month supply. You will need a prescription from your physician to buy this product.

Vaniqa is a chemical called eflornithine that suppresses an enzyme that makes hair grow. It also is very effective for the treatment of sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) in reviving comatose patients and has been called the resurrection drug.

In clinical trials, 32% of the 393 patients treated with Vaniqa showed marked reduction of facial hair compared to only 8% of 201 control patients who used a placebo cream. Vaniqa has only been studied on the face and areas under the chin and is not yet recommended for other body areas.

Vaniqa causes inhibition of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, important for the growth of rapidly dividing cells, such as hair follicle phase cells. Since follicles spend part of their time in the dormant hair phases (catagen (rest phase) and telogen (shedding phase)) they aren't always affected by the drug. It takes approximately 2 to 4 months to inhibit all hair follicles. Therefore, expect about 4 months to see a good effect.

Problems: Reported side effects of Vaniqa in the clinical trials included temporary skin redness, stinging, burning, tingling, rash, "razor bumps," and acne. Skin Biology customers who have used Vaniqa have complained that the product made their face look "old". This is a possibility since the chemicals that stop hair growth can also stop skin repair and regeneration. A skin repair cream may help reduce some of these secondary skin problems.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Estrogens

Estrogens are feminizing hormones that counterbalance and help regulate androgens. One study found topical estrogen to hault the loss of head hair in 89% of the women treated, but conversely, estrogen reduced facial hair at the same time. Estrogen and leuporide are used together in the treatment of hirsutism. Estrogen treatment may cause irregular menstrual cycles, and possibly increased or decreased risk of cancer in women, depending on the dosage used.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Lupron / Leuprolide

Lupron / Leuprolide is a GNrH (Gonadotropin Hormone) Agonist which is used in combination with antiandrogens in to reduce body hair growth in women. It is in clinical testing.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Cyproterone (Androcur)

Cyproterone is a prescription anti-androgen medication that stops the activity of the ovaries and testes, including the production of both androgens and estrogens. It is also prescribed for women of childbearing age to treat severe hirsuitism.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Diane 35 (Cyproterone Acetate with Ethinyloestradiol)

Diane 35 is a contraceptive pill prescribed for women with severe acne and hirsuitism, female pattern baldness, and androgenetic alopecia. Diane 35 is designed to block the peripheral action of male hormones present in the female body. Diane 35 has been reported to stop head hair loss while decreasing body hair. Diane 35 helps prevent osteoporosis.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Flutamide (Euflex, Eulexin)

Flutamide is a very powerful antiandrogen that blocks the androgen receptor so completely that androgens virtually have no effect in the body. Generally, it is not recommended for men. However, some physicians use it in small doses mixed into topically-applied minoxidil. They report that the combination promotes some hair growth and a reduction of facial hair in women. Potentially adverse effects include diarrhea, impotence, liver problems, and high blood pressure.

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair - Casodex / Bicalutamide (ICI 176,334)

Casodex is a new derivative of flutamide, and a powerful antiandrogens that blocks the androgen receptors. It has fewer side-effects than flutamide. Because of its anti-androgen effects it has more serious side-effects in men than women. It is not yet available for marketing.

Hair Removal Methods

Types of Hair Removal

Waxing

Laser Hair Removal and Electrolysis

Pharmaceuticals to Reduce Hair

Repairing Skin After Hair Removal

How to Prevent Ingrown Hairs