You can order Vaniqa online in the UK from our registered pharmacy. Complete the online medical assessment to be reviewed by one of our prescribers. If approved, your medication will be dispensed by our pharmacy team for next day delivery to your address.
About Vaniqa
As a woman, unwanted hair growth on the face or under the chin can be a distressing problem and one which can have a detrimental effect on mental health and day to day life.
Hirsutism, which results in the growth of thick, dark, excess hair in women in areas such as the face, chest and abdomen, is caused by excessive levels of male hormones known as androgens, or by increased sensitivity to these hormones. Vaniqa is the only prescription cream on the market which has been clinically proven to treat this issue by reducing hair growth from the roots, offering long-lasting results.
Vaniqa can help you:
- Successfully managing facial hirsutism
- Boosting your confidence
- Improving your appearance
Vaniqa Summary Information
Type of medicine | Facial hair treatment |
Use | Reduces unwanted facial hair growth in women |
How it works | Inhibits enzyme necessary for hair growth |
Active Ingredient | Eflornithine |
Directions of use | Topical, applied twice daily |
Available strengths | 60g |
Side effects | Common side effects include burning like sensation, itching, stinging, redness, swelling, irritation |
Storage | Room temperature |
Generic | No |
The information provided in the summary table is for reference only. It is important to consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any facial hair treatment, including Vaniqa.
How effective Is Vaniqa Cream?
The nearly 60% of women who had a successful outcome from the Vaniqa trial were graded as being ‘clear/almost clear’, demonstrating a ’marked improvement’ or ‘improved’.
How does Vaniqa work?
There is 13.9% of the active ingredient eflornithine in Vaniqa. This penetrates to the base of the hair follicles and interferes with an enzyme that is responsible for growth.
Other treatment options
Vaniqa is the only clinically approved hair reduction cream on the market at present, but depending on the reason for your hirsutism and whether you are pre or post menopausal, another potential treatment could be the use of oral contraceptives.
Since hirsutism is often caused by excessive levels of male hormones (androgens) then, in some cases, the contraceptive pill can help women who have not yet gone through the menopause to reduce the hair growth by blocking the androgens and their effects upon the female body.
Your doctor or specialist may prescribe you with these medications if they feel they could benefit you and reduce the effects of the hirsutism.
What causes Female Facial Hair?
Women contain male hormones (androgen) along with female hormones (oestrogen) in their system. And, when there is an excess of the male hormone in their system, it tends to cause female facial hair. Female facial hair or hirsutism in women occurs due to the effect of the increased circulation of androgen on hair follicles. Sometimes, it is due to the increased hormone sensitivity in the hair follicles themselves.
Female facial hair may be genetic. It is common in South Asians. In addition to this, medical conditions can also cause it, most commonly Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Note that tumours and menopause can cause it, too. Hirsutism can occur due to a rare side effect of some prescription medicines, as well.
Before using Vaniqa for facial hair removal, it is crucial to consult your GP first in order to ensure that there are not any underlying medical complications. An underlying medical condition is much more likely in the following cases:
- Hirsutism or facial hair has developed way too quickly over the span of a few months or years
- Menstrual problems
- Other male hormone effects, like thinning hair over the scalp, and temples, symptoms of balding, or deepening of the voice
- Obesity or diabetes
Author
Name | Jana Abelovska |
Role | Superintendent Pharmacist |
GPhc Number | 2220953 |
References
- Vaniqa Patient Information Leaflet
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hirsutism/
- https://patient.info/medicine/eflornithine-cream-vaniqa
- BNF/NICE, VANIQA