FACIAL HAIR REMOVAL TREATMENT FACTS
About facial hair removal treatment
We can prescribe Vaniqa cream to help slow facial hair growth in women. It doesn’t destroy the hair root, so you can carry on using other hair removal methods, like waxing or shaving, at the same time.
How does Vaniqa work?
The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornithine. Eflornithine acts against a chemical that’s needed to help produce the hair shaft. This means that the hair follicles either slow, or stop, producing hair.
How do I use Vaniqa?
If we prescribed Vaniqa for you, you would apply it to the areas of your face where you have unwanted hair. You can also apply it under your chin. You’d need to apply it twice a day, at least eight hours apart.
What are the side effects of Vaniqa?
Side effects are unusual with Vaniqa. The most common ones include acne, stinging, tingling, soreness and redness of the skin.
For the full list of Vaniqa’s side effects and how to use it, it’s important to read the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with your medicine.
Important safety information
Vaniqa should only be applied to the face and under the chin. Do not use it on other areas of the body.
It’s important that you tell us which other medicines you’re taking — whether they’re prescription or medicines you’ve bought without a prescription. And you must tell us about any other health conditions. We need to know so that we only prescribe Vaniqa if suitable for you.
Facial hair in women can be a sign of an underlying condition. If you’ve noticed a sudden surge in excess hair you should see your GP.
What if I’m pregnant?
Vaniqa should not be used by women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
How quickly does it work?
You should start to see results within eight weeks of beginning treatment. Up to 70% of women will show reduced facial hair. You need to keep using it in order to keep the hair away. Once you stop, it will start to regrow.
What are my options if I don’t use Vaniqa?
There are a number of different hair removal techniques you can try including shaving, waxing, epilation, electrolysis, laser treatment or bleaching. If you try any of them alongside Vaniqa cream you must wait at least five minutes after using them before applying the cream. If you’re overweight you may find weight loss reduces your facial hair growth. Certain contraceptive pills can also lessen facial hair growth for some women.
Keeping you safe
If you do not feel safe, are experiencing abuse or control, or have experienced this in the past, please find support below or send us a message:
- Ask for ANI at your local Boots pharmacy
- Contact National Domestic Abuse helpline 24/7 on 0808 2000 247
- Look at www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/
- Emergency situation dial 999, speak, cough or tap, then speak or press 55 when through to the police
Page last reviewed by: Dr. Christina Hennessey 21/06/2021