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Vaniqa facial hair removal cream
"An effective, prescription-only cream for women that stops facial hair growth at its source. Contains the active ingredient eflornithine, for long-lasting results."
What is Vaniqa?
Vaniqa 11.5% is a prescription-only cream that's a proven, and long-lasting way to remove unwanted facial hair.
How does it work?
Vaniqa works through its active ingredient, eflornithine, which targets the base of your hair roots, known as follicles. It reduces new hair growth by acting on a specific enzyme involved in the hair growth process.
As it’s not a hair removal (depilatory) cream, you can use Vaniqa regularly alongside any other hair removal products.
How to use Vaniqa
You use Vaniqa cream twice daily. Once in the morning and once in the evening, as it’s important to space the applications at least 8 hours apart.
How to apply it:
- Start with clean, dry skin. Gently rub in a thin layer of the cream until it's fully absorbed and try to avoid washing the treated areas for about 4 hours afterwards.
- If you plan to use makeup or sunscreen on the same area, wait at least 5 minutes before applying.
Important things to remember:
- Vaniqa is designed for facial use only, so don't use it on other parts of your body.
- Be careful to avoid getting the cream in your eyes, nose, or mouth. If this does happen, rinse thoroughly with water.
- Always wash your hands after using Vaniqa.
Treatment results
It may take 2-4 months before you see any difference in your facial hair growth. Instead of dissolving existing hair like other removal creams, Vaniqa targets the root of the problem by reducing new hair growth at the follicle level. So, it can naturally take a little longer to work.
If you haven't seen any improvement after 4 months of using Vaniqa, stop using the treatment and message us in your Patient Record, or speak with your doctor.
Side effects of Vaniqa
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking Vaniqa. These can include acne, stinging of the skin, tingling, soreness, and redness. However, as side effects are uncommon and usually mild, it’s unusual for people to stop taking the treatment as a result.
For full details of side effects and correct use, please see the eflornithine (Vaniqa) patient information leaflet. If you’re worried about side effects, you can contact us in your Patient Record.
What is female facial hair?
Excess hair growth in women is medically known as hirsutism. It causes dark, coarse hair on the face, neck, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks or thighs. While common, it may indicate an underlying medical condition that also needs treatment.
What causes excessive facial hair?
While some ethnic groups naturally have darker, thicker facial hair, hirsutism can have various causes. Common factors that can lead to excess hair growth include certain medications, being overweight or obese, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which increases testosterone production. It’s important to see your GP if you notice sudden hair growth in unusual places, just in case there’s an underlying condition.
What are the symptoms?
It's natural for women to have face and body hair, which is usually light and fine. Hirsutism causes this hair to become dark, coarse, or thick. While this can cause some women distress, there's no need to remove it for any medical reason.
Treatment for female facial hair
Most over-the-counter products or non-prescription hair removal methods like bleaching, shaving, waxing, electrolysis, and laser treatments only offer temporary results. Certain types of contraceptive pills can help too. However, the effectiveness of these options varies depending on your skin and hair type, so they can't always be relied on.
Vaniqa, which we can prescribe, is different. This facial hair removal cream targets hair follicles, slowing or stopping growth by blocking a key enzyme. As a result, it can prove a long-term solution.
How is it diagnosed?
If you see a GP, they might recommend a blood test to check your hormone levels, as hormonal changes are a common cause of excess hair growth.
If you’re experiencing excess hair growth (hirsutism) you can speak to your GP or start an online consultation and one of our clinicians will review your answers.
