A problem that many women face and that bothers them is the growth of unwanted hair on their face, especially on the upper lip and chin area. There can be various reasons for this. So today we are talking about a certain cream that doctors recommend to control this condition. Perhaps your doctor has also prescribed this for you.
What is this Eflornithine?
Simply put, Eflornithine (pronounced: *e-flor-ni-thine*) is a medicated cream used to reduce unwanted facial hair growth in women, that is, to slow down the growth of hair follicles. In our country, it can be found under the brand name Vaniqa.
The important thing is, this is not a hair removal cream. What it does is slow down the growth of new hair follicles. So it's not a permanent solution, but it helps a lot in controlling the condition.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Your doctor will need to know your complete medical history before prescribing this cream to you, so be sure to tell him/her about these things.
- If you have an allergy to this medicine called Eflornithine , or to any other medicine, food, skin cream, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or expecting a baby soon .
- If you are a nursing mother .
This information is very important for the doctor to decide whether or not this medicine is suitable for you.
How exactly do you use this cream?
To get the most out of this, it is essential to know exactly how to use it.
1. Cleansing: Before applying the cream, wash your hands and face thoroughly with soap and dry them well with a clean towel.
2. Application: Next, take a very thin film of the cream and apply it only to the hairy areas (like the upper lip, chin). Rub it in gently until it is well absorbed into the skin. Remember, you don't need to apply a lot, a thin film is enough.
3. Time: You should use this twice a day. But there should be a gap of at least 8 hours between the two times. For example, if you apply it at 8 am, apply it again after 8 pm.
4. Don't wash: This is something that many people do wrong. Don't wash the area with water for at least 4 hours after applying the cream. Doing so can make the medicine lose its effectiveness.
5. Other cosmetics: If you are using makeup or sunscreen, wait a few minutes after applying this Eflornithine cream and allow it to absorb into the skin before applying other cosmetics.
6. Hair Removal: As mentioned earlier, this does not remove hair. So, continue to remove hair as you normally do (threading, waxing, plucking). Once you start seeing results from the cream, you will find that you will need to remove hair less often.
When can we expect the results?
This is not something that will give you results overnight. You need to be patient and use it.
- Usually, after about 4 to 8 weeks, you will start to notice a difference. You will notice that the rate of hair growth has slowed down.
- Just think, if you continue to use it for 6 months and don't see any changes, definitely talk to your doctor about whether or not to continue using it.
- If you stop using this cream, your hair growth will return to its previous state in approximately 8 weeks.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. But there's nothing to worry about. Most of the time, these are not serious.
| Side effect | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Things to report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | If you experience any skin irritation, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, stop using the cream immediately and see a doctor. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Skin redness, inflammation, numbness | You may experience some mild burning, tingling, or redness of the skin during the first few days after applying the cream. This usually goes away after a few days. However, if it persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor. |
| Acne or hair follicle infections (Hair Bumps) | Sometimes small blisters (hair bumps) may appear. If this condition is bothersome, seek medical advice. |
A few other important points
What do I do if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to apply the cream, apply it as soon as you remember. But if it is very close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and use the next dose at the scheduled time. Never apply twice.
Can there be problems with other medications?
This cream generally does not interact with other medications. However, it is best not to use any other skin cream on the area where you are applying this cream without first consulting your doctor. Tell your doctor about all medications and vitamins you are taking.
What if you use more than you need? (Overdose)
As this is a skin-applied medicine, the risk of an overdose is low. However, if you think you have used much more than you thought, or if someone has taken it by mouth, contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Can children use it?
This medicine can usually be prescribed to young children over 12 years of age in some special cases. But only a doctor should decide. Special care is needed if this is given to young children.
Take-Home Message
- Eflornithine is a medicated cream that slows the growth of unwanted facial hair, not hair removal .
- It can take between 4 and 8 weeks to see results, so be patient and continue using it.
- Apply a thin layer twice a day, 8 hours apart. Do not wash off for 4 hours after application.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, or have allergies , be sure to tell your doctor before using this.
- If you develop a severe skin allergy (itching, swelling), stop taking the medication immediately and see a doctor.
- This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else.
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