Do I need a prescription for vaniqa?

Yes. Moreover, the cream is exorbitantly expensive. In general, expect to fork out between $35-$50 every 4-8 weeks. Definitely not worth it. The problem is no one knows who will respond and thus, it is hard to recommend such as expensive product. If the drug has not worked after 4-6 weeks, it is unlikely to work at all. 

Please when you read the reviews online, many are written by people who sell the product- so do not be fooled. Get an opinion from a person who has used it for the real answer.

How does one use Vaniqa to remove facial hair?

Vaniqa should only be taken as directed. The medication is available as a topical cream and should only be applied on the face and chin. Vaniqa is applied twice a day. Vaniqa should not be immediately applied after hair removal. When applied to skin, the area should not be washed for at least 4-6 hours. Always wash hands after use of Vaniqa. Vaniqa is not meant for use around eyes, mouth or nose. 

Do not apply any cream, ointment, lotions or potion on your face until Vaniqa has completely dried. Since Vaniqa does not remove hair immediately, one has to continue using other means of removing hair.

I have been thinking of using vaniqa to remove my facial hair. Does it have side effects?

Mild side effects include itching, stinging, tingling or redness. In some cases, it may worsen your acne.

Vaniqa can also induce an allergic reaction, which may present with a skin rash, itching, dizziness or trouble breathing. In such cases, one should seek immediate medical attention

I would like to use vaniqa to remove my facial hair. Does it work?

Vaniqa is a medication that is used to slow down hair growth on the face and chin in women. The drug is not supposed to be used anywhere else on the body, nor is it recommended for use in children under the age of 12. Vaniqa contains a substance that blocks enzymes needed for hair growth. The hair growth slows and eventually stops over time. 

Unfortunately, Vaniqa does not work in all individuals. In fact, less than 1-3 percent of women claim that it works. It does not prevent hair growth, just slows it down. It appears to work in women with very fine hair.

Can you tell me which is an effective laser for hair removal?

Laser hair removal is big business and people who sell this therapy make many false promises. Studies indicate that the best lasers for hair removal are the alexandrite and the diode laser. These lasers only work in 50% of people with light skin. Lasers which are useless or barely work for hair removal include the intense pulsed light, ND:YAG or ruby laser. Irrespective of which laser you are treated with, laser hair removal only lasts 3-6 months. There is no laser that can remove hair permanently- that is only in the imagination of the laser manufacturers. Side effects like pain, skin reddening, burnt hair, scarring, permanent skin discoloration are commonly reported with all lasers.

Are there any precautions I should take after laser hair removal?

In general, a common sense approach is all that is required. Some of the dos and don’ts include the following:


Do not participate in any strenuous exercise for the first 24 hours


Avoid sun exposure for 3-6 weeks. When going out, a sunscreen should be applied


Avoid tanning for at least 4-6 weeks otherwise you will develop  permanent skin discoloration


Avoid waxing, shaving or plucking hair from the treated site for several days


Keep the skin area clean and moisturized


If you cannot follow these simple instructions, then you should not undergo laser hair removal

What can I expect after laser hair removal?

Laser hair removal is an outpatient procedure and there is no need for any fancy bandages, dressing or plasters. The procedure usually takes less than 45-60 minutes and you will be home sooner than you think.  After the procedure, you may develop some mild pain, swelling and redness- this is of course natural when you start to burn your body with a light source. The pain can be managed with over the counter medications unless the technician has burnt you badly. These symptoms will generally disappear over the next 2-3 days. The treated skin area will become dry and thus it is wise to use some type of moisturizing agent.