Based on over 30,000 reviews collected on Google and Reviews.io.
Unwanted facial hair could make you feel a little self-conscious and affect your self-confidence. Vaniqa 11.5% Cream is a prescription-only topical treatment that’s formulated to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. It works by targeting a specific enzyme that’s responsible for hair growth. Applying the cream to your skin blocks this enzyme from working, something that may reduce hair production at the follicle level.It may take around four to eight weeks of regular use to see visible results from Vaniqa 11.5% Cream.
The cream is clinically proven to be effective for most women, with around 70% of users noticing a significant reduction in the growth of their facial hair.If you experience unwanted hair growth on your face, Vaniqa 11.5% Cream could help. Book an online consultation with a member of our clinical team to discover if the treatment is the best option for you.
You can read more about what real patients think of Vaniqa on our Vaniqa Cream reviews page.
Vaniqa 11.5% Cream is a topical treatment that’s formulated to reduce unwanted hair growth on the face. It’s specifically designed for women who have excess hair on the upper lip, chin and neck.
Though excess hair growth can occur naturally in some women, it can also be a symptom of a few different health conditions. This means it’s important that you have a medical consultation to rule out any underlying issues before starting treatment with Vaniqa.
The active ingredient in Vaniqa 11.5% Cream is called eflornithine. Eflornithine reduces hair growth by inhibiting an enzyme called ornithine decarboxylase that’s crucial for hair production.
Blocking this enzyme slows hair production and, over time, leads to finer, less noticeable hair growth. The cream is designed to be used on your upper lip, chin and neck.
There are a few non-prescription alternatives for facial hair removal. These include:
Your GP may also suggest:
If Vaniqa hair removal cream and the above Vaniqa alternatives do not work for you, your GP may refer you to a specialist for further advice and treatment.
You should always apply Vaniqa 11.5% Cream to clean, dry skin. You should use the cream twice per day, leaving at least eight hours between applications. If you’ve just shaved, or used any other hair removal products, wait at least five minutes before using the cream to avoid stinging or burning sensations.
Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa and rub it in until you can’t see any visible residue on your face. If possible, don’t wash your face for four hours after treatment. As Vaniqa is not a hair removal product, you may need to continue shaving or plucking until you begin to see results.
For detailed instructions on how to use Vaniqa, please refer to the enclosed Patient Information Leaflet.
The active ingredient in Vaniqa 11.5% Cream is eflornithine. There is 115mg of eflornithine (as hydrochloride monohydrate) in each gram of Vaniqa.
The other ingredients in the cream are cetostearyl alcohol, macrogol cetostearyl ether, dimeticone, glyceryl stearate, macrogol stearate, methyl parahydroxybenzoate (E218), liquid paraffin, phenoxyethanol, propyl parahydroxybenzoate (E216), purified water and stearyl alcohol. Tiny amounts of sodium hydroxide (E524) are sometimes added to keep acidity levels (pH levels) normal.
Like all medicines, Vaniqa 11.5% Cream could cause some side effects. Though it’s important to remember that not everyone will experience an adverse reaction.
The most common side effect of the cream (affecting more than one in ten users) is acne. You may see spots appear on your chin, neck and other areas being treated with the cream.
You may also experience skin irritation, a burning sensation in the affected area, dry skin, itching, redness or a rash. In most cases, side effects are mild and are limited to the skin. They typically resolve as your skin gets used to the treatment.
Don’t use Vaniqa if you’re allergic to eflornithine or any of the other ingredients in the cream.
It’s important to remember that Vaniqa isn’t a permanent hair removal solution. Once you stop using the cream, excess hair may start to grow once more and could return to pre-treatment levels.
It’s not recommended to use Vaniqa 11.5% Cream when pregnant or breastfeeding. The cream may also be unsuitable for you if you have problems with your liver or kidneys.
As excess hair growth can be a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and a side effect of some medications, it’s essential to have a medical consultation before you begin using Vaniqa 11.5% Cream.
Be sure to read the enclosed Patient Information Leaflet and consult with your doctor for more information on Vaniqa.
One of the main causes of excess hair growth in women is a hormonal imbalance. If you have a high level of androgens (male sex hormones like testosterone) in your system, it could cause hair to appear on your chest, chin, upper lip and neck.
Excess body hair can be a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition where cysts develop along the outer edges of your ovaries. Excess hair can also be a side effect of certain medications, or it could just be the result of your genetics. Because excess hair growth can be caused by an underlying medical condition, it’s essential you speak to a doctor before starting treatment with Vaniqa.
Vaniqa 11.5% Cream doesn’t remove hair. Instead, it reduces unwanted hair by blocking an enzyme that’s responsible for hair growth. This makes hair lighter and finer and reduces the visible signs of excess hair.
Vaniqa 11.5% Cream gets to work quickly. However, it may take a few weeks for you to see real results. Most women who use the cream consistently twice per day see a reduction in visible hair growth after around four to eight weeks.
For some women, results may take a little longer to become noticeable, while others may see changes in their hair growth in as little as a week.
As Vaniqa is not a hair removal cream, you’ll need to continue using your current hair removal method until the treatment begins to produce results. If you shave, pluck or use any hair removal products, it’s important to wait at least five minutes before applying Vaniqa. This will help to minimise stinging or irritation.
No, Vaniqa 11.5% Cream is not a permanent solution for unwanted hair. You’ll need to use the cream long term in order to maintain results. If you stop using Vaniqa, your hair will begin to regrow and is likely to return to its original growth patterns within around eight weeks.
Vaniqa 11.5% Cream has only been clinically tested and approved for use on facial hair. This includes the upper lip, chin and neck. It's not recommended for use on other areas of the body as more research is needed to ensure it’s safe and effective.
Using Vaniqa consistently will help you to get the best possible results from the treatment. If you still haven’t noticed an improvement after four months of treatment, Vaniqa may not work for you. Speak to a member of our clinical team to discuss your symptoms and explore other options.
Yes, you can use makeup, and other skin products such as sun cream, after applying Vaniqa. However, it’s important to wait at least five minutes after applying the cream before using any other products. This will help to ensure proper absorption of Vaniqa and help to prevent irritation around the affected areas.
As coarse facial hair is often more visible, you’ll want to be confident that the treatment you choose will have an impact. Vaniqa is effective in treating both fine and coarse facial hair. Though results may vary depending on your individual hair type and growth patterns.
Vaniqa 11.5% cream is designed to be used long term. As your hair is likely to regrow if you stop treatment, you’ll need to continue using the cream to get its hair-reducing effects.
When using the cream long term, it’s important to apply it consistently twice per day. This will optimise your results - something that may help you to feel more confident. Consult our clinical team to review your symptoms and ensure the cream continues to be the most suitable treatment option.
If excess facial hair is affecting your confidence and you think Vaniqa 11.5% Cream could help, book a discreet, quick and easy consultation with our 100% UK-based team. They’ll look at your symptoms, health and lifestyle and find the best treatment option for you.
We’re always available to offer help and advice, giving you the confidence you need to take charge of your health journey.
We think accessing healthcare should be easy. Whether we’re fulfilling NHS prescriptions or helping people find the right treatments, we aim to offer our customers dependable, economical and convenient access to medicines with a personal and discreet service.
