TLDR Eflornithine cream slows facial hair growth and works well with other treatments.
The document reviewed treatments for unwanted facial hair, affecting 22% of women in North America and causing significant emotional distress. Various methods such as plucking, waxing, depilatories, bleaching, shaving, electrolysis, laser, intense pulsed light (IPL), and eflornithine 13.9% cream were discussed. Eflornithine cream, marketed as Vaniqa, was highlighted as a topical treatment that slowed hair growth, particularly effective on the mustache and chin areas. It was noted that combining eflornithine with laser or IPL treatments could enhance hair removal outcomes.
39 citations
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July 2005 in “Current medical research and opinion” Topical cream eflornithine 11.5% can slow hair growth and may help reduce hair removal frequency.
101 citations
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June 2005 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Very few people experience increased hair growth after laser hair removal, especially those with darker skin and black hair.
195 citations
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May 2003 in “Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953. Online)/Obstetrics and gynecology” Most women with excess hair growth have an underlying hormonal issue, often treated with medication and hair removal methods.
61 citations
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January 2002 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology” 34 citations
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April 2001 in “PubMed” Vaniqa cream slows unwanted facial hair growth in women.
42 citations
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February 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Polyamines, especially spermidine, are essential for hair growth.
125 citations
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February 2007 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Combining eflornithine cream with laser treatment removes facial hair better than laser alone.
133 citations
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July 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology” The cream effectively and safely reduces facial hair in women.
94 citations
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January 2000 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Spironolactone most effective for hirsutism, but has side effects.
132 citations
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October 1995 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Electrolysis is effective for permanent hair removal, but technique is key to avoid scarring, and sometimes hormonal treatment is needed for women with hirsutism.
52 citations
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January 1995 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Finasteride and spironolactone both reduce hirsutism, but finasteride lowers androgen levels more.
