I noticed the first little hair on my chin-y chin chin when I was sixteen. It was a vile little thing…
I was unsettled, shocked, appalled (you get the picture), but it took me the better part of 10 years to finally go see a dermatologist about my unwanted facial hair. Finally, I’d gotten tired of dealing with the embarrassment of having errant little hairs on my chin. The ingrown hairs and scarring that resulted from removing Hair #1 and its subsequent kinfolk had become too much to bear…
My dermatologist tried to push me to sign up for laser hair removal sessions, but I was hesitant. Instead, she hurriedly prescribed Vainqa crème hair growth inhibitor and sent me on my way.
Vaniqa does not remove hair and you will have to still continue with whatever hair removal method works best for you. This product contains an enzyme that does a good job of slowing hair growth, so you need to remove it less frequently.
You have to apply it religiously twice per day or it won’t work at all. I used to always forget to apply it, but when I finally started remembering I saw the difference. The hair still grows, just at a slower rate.
Vaniqa is available by prescription and has also only been tested on women with face and neck hair.
I’m still really afraid of more invasive permanent hair removal, so if you are like me, this product could be a good place for you to start. My skin is dark brown and scars when the wind blows. My scars take forever to clear, so I am deathly afraid of laser hair removal.
Thank goodness a little goes a long way with this product because my health insurance doesn’t cover it and it is very expensive. At almost $80 a tube, this is an investment to say the least.
This crème is a clearish white in color and it has a pretty thin consistency. It has virtually no fragrance.
Unwanted facial hair is a very sad topic for me, so forgive me if this posting isn’t as upbeat as those past 
If any of you have tried Vaniqa, gimme a shout and let me know how u fared!
Adieu!
—-
About $80 for 30g
For more information, visit Vaniqa.com or have a look at this article on Quackwatch.org
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on Sunday, December 17th, 2006 at 7:34 pm and is filed under Hair Removal, Prescription Beauty.
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Good to know I’ve wanted to look into this product I thought this was one of the products that slows hair growth either way is better than the present:-)
In relation to permanent hair removal I went in probably about a year ago to look into that. They do a test area at three different levels from the mildest to the most extreme. And with all three levels I scared and not just that the skin gets real dark and peals off so I had three little spots on my neck with no skin. So I’m like ummm bummer but no laser hair removal for me…I’m a darkskin black woman btw. Then after all that the place tired to convince me that they did that to test what level I could have the process done and tried to encourage me to still have it done!!! The scars are still there btw, they do it in a way where it’s nothing that I regret however I know if I got the actual area treated that I wanted I’d be a mess righ tnow.
Sorry so long just wanted to tell my story on laser removal. If they find a way for women like me to get it done I’m all for it but as it stands I’ll try Vaniqa:-)
Yeah, Vaniqa is a great alternative for skin prone to scarring like ours.
It really reduces the amount of fussing I have to go thru, so my skin isn’t all irritated and bumpy.
Let me know how you’ve fared with this product!
Hey sister,
Yours in sympathy regarding all of the above. After one consultation @ the laser hair removal place (and a well timed discussion on the subject on Oprah) I realized that t’was not a good option for our dark-skinned breathren. I’ve been on Vaniqa for about 3 months now, and while the studies suggest it takes 6 mo. to see a difference, I’ve also noticed retarded growth. I’m pleased, but that $80 is a ^%$#!@ for real.
Again, kudos for maintaining the blog. Should you ever get back out to Ohio or come to DC, lemme know & we’ll compare notes.
yeah, laser hair removal scares me!
charred patches of skin are never a good look, esp. not on your face!
Vaniqa helps a whoooole lot! but, that price tag kills me
i read somewhere that after a while, you can try applying once a day to see if hair growth is still as slowed down as it was on the twice daily applications…
this’ll help the tube last longer.
also, be sure you are applying a really thin coating! you’d be surprised at how often ppl overuse product and put too much on.
hopefully, someday we will all be magically cured of all unwanted body hair! we’ve got to believe!