Vaniqa Cream

Vaniqa Cream is a prescription-only medication containing eflornithine 11.5%, designed to help reduce the rate of unwanted facial hair growth in women.

It works by blocking an enzyme within the hair follicle that is responsible for hair growth. Unlike traditional hair removal creams, Vaniqa does not remove existing hair but instead slows down regrowth over time, helping facial hair become finer, lighter, and less noticeable with continued use.

Vaniqa Cream is suitable for adult women assigned female at birth aged 18 and over who experience unwanted facial hair growth, also known as hirsutism. It may be particularly helpful for those who regularly remove hair from areas such as the chin or upper lip using methods like shaving, plucking, or waxing. By slowing the rate of regrowth, Vaniqa can help reduce the frequency of these cosmetic routines and make facial hair appear finer and lighter over time.

Vaniqa Cream should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

It should not be used by individuals under the age of 18 years old.

It should also not be applied to areas of broken, irritated, or inflamed skin.

If you are unsure whether this treatment is suitable for you, it is best to seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before starting use.

Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa Cream to clean, dry skin on the affected area or areas of the face twice daily, at least eight hours apart.

Gently rub the cream in until it is fully absorbed, and avoid washing the area for at least four hours after application.

You should wait around five minutes after using any other facial treatment before applying Vaniqa to ensure the skin is not already irritated. Likewise, wait at least five minutes after applying Vaniqa before using any cosmetics or sunscreen on the treated area.

Vaniqa Cream is intended for use on the facial area only, such as the upper lip or chin. Avoid contact with the eyes, inside the nose, or mouth. If accidental contact occurs, rinse the affected area thoroughly with water.

You may continue your usual methods of hair removal, such as shaving, plucking, or waxing, while using this treatment if you wish.

While results may vary, most users begin to notice an improvement within four to eight weeks of consistent use. If treatment is stopped, hair growth usually returns to its previous pattern within about eight weeks.

Unlike traditional hair removal creams, Vaniqa is designed to slow the growth of new hair from within the follicle rather than remove existing hair. This means that results will not be immediate, and some patience is required before visible improvement can be seen.

If you have not noticed any benefit after four months of regular use, you should discontinue treatment and speak to your doctor or pharmacist about alternative options.

Some users may experience mild skin irritation, redness, or a slight burning sensation at the site of application. These effects are usually temporary and tend to settle within a few minutes of applying the cream. If irritation persists, becomes severe, or if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction such as swelling, rash, or difficulty breathing, you should stop using Vaniqa and seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Vaniqa 11.5% cream – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) – (emc) | 6398

Topical eflornithine | Prescribing information | Hirsutism | CKS | NICE