Feedback on Vaniqa Side Effect and Usage, page 7
About Vaniqa
If you use Vaniqa, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.
Subj: Huge reduction in facial hair
Date: 2/5/2010
I have been using Vaniqa for about five months now and can honestly say that there is a huge reduction in facial hair. I have two patches under my chin about the size of quarters. I noticed there are very few hairs since using Vaniqa, BUT I have huge sores on my chin where there are hairs trying to grow out. I am having a problem with ingrown hairs. Also, the hairs are harder to pluck out when using Vaniqa, so sometimes they break off. This is what causes the sores. The hair growth is slowed so much that it takes weeks for the broken hair to get long enough to pluck and in the meantime, I have these very nasty sores in place of the hairs. I suppose this is the side effect of acne. At any rate, I think I prefer the hairs.
B
Subj: Vaniqa really helps
Date: 2/6/2010
i love vaniqa. It really helps reduce the hear and boosts up your self esteem. who has time to pluck all that hair? I love it but its too expensive! (80+$)
Jackie
Subj: Hair falling out faster
Date: 2/10/2010
Approx. six months after using this product my hair began to fall out of my head at a much faster rate than ever before. I have just been diagnosed with Alopecia Areata. I am now wondering whether Vaniqa triggered this autoimmune disease.
Lori
AskDocWeb: Thanks Lori! If this is a possible side effect then consumers need to know about it. For other readers reading this, do you have this problem?
Subj: Skin darkening, rash and developing fine lines
Date: 2/12/2010
I have been using this product for a few months, have not noticed yet a decrease in hair but it does come out so much easier when I do tweeze it…that is definetly good. I have a problem though, I am 34 and thankfully I have had beautiful skin all my life, and I use no facial products or make-up (other than vaniqa and an all natural face cream that I have used for at least 4 years), but since I started using this I have noticed that the skin has started darkening, I developed a fine rash and the skin is developing very fine lines. I need to know if this is a known side-effect or if others have complained of similar symptoms, and what are your thoughts.
Ady
AskDocWeb: A rash is one of the possible side effects that may go away with continued use but there are no reports of skin darkening or developing fine lines from using this product. Others have report good success with using fade creams to help fade dark spots.
Subj: Vaniqa side effects
Date: 3/16/2010
I just got a Vaniqa prescription yesterday, and have started using it. I am crossing my fingers that this will work, I have tried laser hair removal with some success, but the cost was too much. In most people that had side effects, did it happen gradually, or with the first application?
Danielle
AskDocWeb: Those who reported side effects said that they came on gradually over time. Most patients had no side effects at all.
Subj: 2-3 months to see results
Date: 3/31/2010
I’m asian female living in the UK where men folk doctors don’t really take hirtuism seriously. The only way I got Vaniqa prescribed when was when my GP referred me to a Endocrinologist (because I had symptoms of hypothyroidism, obesity, iron deficiencly, anaemia and hirtuism). It took about 2-3 months to see results. I do get acne some days but very good clear soft skin other days. So I use the Indian “No marks” herbal cream along with it. I am now having less laser treatment so am saving money and less visits to the laser lady. Vaniqa does cause your head hair to fall out (incidently so does taking Ferrous Sulphate – Iron tablets for anaemia) so you need to weigh up the pros and cons.
NOTE: If you have diabetes or a thyroid disease in the UK you get free prescriptions for life therefore you get free Vaniqa for life. I would advise you to try the cream and if it suits you carry on. If you get negetive symptoms like acne or other reactions then stop and try after a month s break. If reactions still occur then stop completely. Everyone has different skin and hair so everyone will have a different result. Good Luck all.
Lou
AskDocWeb: Be sure to check the ingredient list in any herbal remedy that you try. Some herbs interact with medication.
Subj: Electrolysis
Date: 4/14/2010
Can vaniqa be used during the treatments of electrolysis on face?
sindu
AskDocWeb: It is important to talk to the doctor who will be performing electrolysis how long you should wait after the procedure before applying Vaniqa. For some women, Vaniqa extends the time between electrolysis appointments. Others find that Vaniqa alone does the job.
Subj: Significant difference
Date: 4/15/2010
I have excessive hair on my chin that has bothered me since I was 12 years old. I’m now 40 and started using Vaniqa one week ago. I already see a significant difference. It has slowed and thinned my hair growth in less than one week. I can’t wait to see how it’ll look in one month! I’m extremely pleased so far. It’s worth every penny. You get what you pay for!
Stefanie
Subj: Worried about regrowth of hair
Date: 4/26/2010
I want to try Vaniqa for my the hair on my upper lip. I’ve been bleaching it but it’s very visible in the sunlight. I’m worried that if i stop using Vaniqa that the hair will grow back thicker and darker, like after shaving or plucking. Will this happen?
Cass
AskDocWeb: There are no reports of that happening in the 5 years that we have been tracking this product.
Update on Hydroquinone: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of cosmetic products containing hydroquinone, a skin-bleaching (lightening) ingredient. According to the FDA, approximately 65 companies sell over 200 different types of skin-lightening products containing hydroquinone in the U.S. Currently, products that contain up to 2 percent hydroquinone may be sold in the U.S. without a prescription, and prescription skin-lightening products may contain up to 4 percent hydroquinone. Examples of prescription products containing hydroquinone are Lustra, Tri-Luma, and EpiQuin Micro.
The reason for the proposed ban is that animal studies show “some evidence” that hydroquinone may act as a carcinogen or cancer-causing agent, although its cancer-causing properties have yet to be proved in humans. Hydroquinone has also been linked with the medical condition known as ochronosis in which the skin becomes dark and thick. Dome-shaped yellowish spots and grayish-brown spots also are observed in ochronosis among black women and men in South Africa, Britain, and the U.S. Ochronosis has been observed even in persons who have used hydroquinone-containing cosmetics for a short time. Some studies also report abnormal function of the adrenal glands and high levels of mercury in people who have used hydroquinone-containing cosmetics. For these reasons, hydroquinone has already been banned in Japan, the European Union, and Australia.
Subj: Colored hair?
Date: 5/13/2010
I’ve heard that laser hair removal doesn’t work on blond or white hairs, is Vaniqa as effective on light colored hair as dark colored hair?
Lily
AskDocWeb: Hair color has not been reported to make any difference with Vaniqa. Laser hair removal and growth inhibitors such as Vaniqa work in very different ways to get rid of unwanted hair.
Subj: My facial hair problem
Date: 5/14/2010
I have been using Vaniqa as directed for two months and there is significantly less hair on my face. I am afraid, however, that I may be applying it too high on my cheekbones as my eyelashes look terrible now. They are noticeably shorter and “stubby” now. I used Latisse last fall for a couple of months and my eyelashes looked fabulous. The growth was amazing. I stopped using it, however, when I learned that one of its potential side effects was the possibility that it could affect my eye color (something about turning blue eyes brown…or creating a permanent brown ring around the blue). Anyway, the effects of the Latisse lingered for about 3 months after I discontinued use. Now, my facial hair problem is a thing of the past (thanks, Vaniqa) but I am going to need to start wearing false eyelashes…either due to the Vaniqa, Latisse, or both (although I never used them at the same time…used Latisse last fall and just started on Vaniqa in April 2010).
Cynthia
Subj: Losing eyebrow hair
Date: 5/19/2010
I have used Vaniqa for along time and I seem to be loosing eyebrow hair, I use the cream below the eyebrow to get rid of excessive hair. I am very careful not to get the cream in the main brow area. Could this be causing hair to fall out? How long can one use this product?
Mary
AskDocWeb: Vaniqa is a growth inhibitor but has not been reported to cause eyebrow hair to fall out. The manufacturer of Vaniqa has not put a limit on the length of time that this product may be used.
Subj: Thinner head hair
Date: 5/21/2010
I have been using Vaniqa for a year and suddenly realized how thin my head hair has become, I freaked out and had all kinds of blood work done including advanced thyroid tests. No signs of anything wrong, then I thought of Vaniqa. How could a drug for hair removal on face do this? I just got on your site and will never use Vaniqa again, laser is going to be my next move. There is no baldness in our family my parents died with a full head of hair in the 80’s.
Ginger
Subj: Going to start using Vaniqa
Date: 5/24/2010
I’m going to start vaniqa on Thursday hope it works I have to wax every 2 to 3 weeks my chin and lip are my problem been waxing nearly 5 years now my doctor only told me about vaniqa today wish me luck.
Breda
AskDocWeb: Good luck Breda, and be sure to share your results with the rest of us.
Subj: Vaniqa long term side effects
Date: 6/16/2010
For the first time in 30+ years I don’t cringe when I see my face in the car mirror or the thought of people seeing the side profile of my face in the sun … there is no hair on my face – all those embarrasing years, all those years of electrolyis, waxining, laser – no more! This cream worked within the time frame (4-8 weeks) and continues to work. My only concern is, are there any long term side effects? I have a scar from a surgery which has become sore, red and irritated – could this be from using the cream?
Pam
AskDocWeb: Although it is uncommon Vaniqa may cause severe irritation of the skin. If this should occur, the National Institute of Health recommends that you stop using Vaniqa and call your doctor immediately. So far no long-term affects of Vaniqa have been reported but then it has only been on the market for 10 year.
Read more feedback about Vaniqa. Vaniqa report – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – Page 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12 – Last Page 17
If you find this page useful share it with others. If you have used Vaniqa, use the form below to add your review of Vaniqa, feedback or suggestions that may help others. Please note that all addresses are held confidential.