What is in Vaniqa Cream?

Vaniqa cream contains eflornithine at strength of 11.5%. It also contains other inactive ingredients these are necessary to make up the cream. It also contains other inactive ingredients to help complete the product. A full list of these ingredients can be found under ‘Ingredients’.

What will happen if I stop using the Vaniqa cream?

If you stop using the cream the hair production will start again and it is likely the unwanted hair will return within an 8-week period.

Can I drink alcohol whilst using Vaniqa cream?

Alcohol has no effect on Vaniqa cream.

Is Vaniqa safe in pregnancy and breast-feeding?

The manufacturer recommends that Vaniqa cream should not be used during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.

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Vaniqa 11.5% Cream (60g)

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Vaniqa - Important Information

A cream to stop hair growth, Vaniqa contains the active ingredient eflornithine. Eflornithine works within the hair follicle and helps to block production of the hair shaft. This helps to reduce the rate of hair growth. In trials it has shown a significant improvement in the unwanted facial hair of 70% of women. It has also been shown to significantly reduce how bothered patients are about their facial hair and how long they spend removing, treating or concealing their facial hair.

Obtain a Vaniqa cream prescription from your doctor or buy online.

Product Information

Age: 18 years +

Maximum per order: 3
Pregnancy: N/A

Breastfeeding: N/A

Vaniqa facial hair growth cream contains the active ingredient eflornithine and is the only non-hormonal medication licensed for the treatment of unwanted female facial hair in the UK. There is no generic equivalent in the UK - in the US it is Eflora cream.

If used properly, you should see an improvement within 8 weeks of starting Vaniqa. Medication for facial hair must be used regularly to observe a clear before and after result.

Vaniqa hair growth prevention cream is suitable for women who are suffering with unwanted hair on the upper lip, chin and neck, and who have had a medical examination from their doctor to rule out any underlying causes of their excessive hair growth. It is not a permanent hair removal cream.

A thin layer of Vaniqa cream should be rubbed into the affected areas (usually the upper lip and chin) when they are clean and dry. This should be repeated twice daily, at least 8 hours apart. It should be left on for at least 4 hours when applied.

Vaniqa can be used alongside other facial hair removal methods such as plucking, waxing, shaving and epilating.

Non-prescription Vaniqa alternatives

There are a few non-prescription alternatives for facial hair removal.

Shaving
Waxing
Plucking
Bleaching
Threading
Laser and electrolysis treatments

Remember that laser and electrolysis treatments should always be carried out by a trained and registered professional.

*Prescription medicines are supplied subject to a medical consultation at the discretion of a doctor.

Vaniqa cream should be applied twice daily, at least 8 hours apart.
Vaniqa should be used after cleaning/cleansing and before applying moisturiser, cosmetics or sun creams.
Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa cream to the affected area(s) of the face, and under the chin if required, and rub in thoroughly.
Do not wash the treated areas for at least 4 hours after application of Vaniqa to allow it to have time to have an effect.

You still need to remove excess hair. Continue your normal hair removal method whilst using Vaniqa. You should find that you need to do it less often if your treatment is effective.
Persevere in the beginning. Vaniqa can take up to 8 weeks to have an effect in some women. It is important to continue applying it regularly to allow it to start to have an effect. If you do not see a benefit you should use Vaniqa regularly for 4 months before stopping treatment.
Use hair removal before you apply Vaniqa. To avoid a burning or stinging sensation wait at least 5 minutes after shaving/waxing/plucking before applying Vaniqa.
Reduce applications to once daily if stinging or burning occurs. Some patients can develop skin intolerance to Vaniqa even after months of treatment. If this occurs, reduce applications to once daily and then slowly increase back to twice a day. If intolerance continues please contact us via your online account.

Like all creams there is the potential that you may be allergic to Vaniqa. We recommend you do a spot test before commencing treatment. If you suffer with any reaction in the area that Vaniqa is applied, you should not use the cream.

If you do experience side effects from Vaniqa, the most common side effect is acne, either worsening existing acne or causing acne in just over 1 in 10 people who use Vaniqa. Other common side effects are skin reactions from in growing hair, hair loss, a burning, stinging or tingling feeling, dry skin, itching, redness or rash. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with your medicines for a full list of side effects.

If you experience any adverse effects from taking your prescribed medicine it is important to let your doctor know immediately. In a medical emergency you should contact the emergency services or go straight to your local Accident & Emergency.

Vaniqa cream contains eflornithine 11.5% as the active ingredient.

Vaniqa cream also contains the following inactive ingredients:

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.

Vaniqa should not cause a harmful interaction with any of your other current medicines. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with your medicines for further information.

Vaniqa cream is not a hair removal cream and it does not permanently remove unwanted facial hair. It helps to slow the growth of unwanted facial hair making it less noticeable and problematic. Vaniqa needs to used continuously to have an effect.

The growth of excessive hair in women can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Before starting treatment for excessive facial hair you should always have a thorough medical examination with your doctor to ensure that there is no underlying cause that needs to be addressed. These can include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), some hormone-producing tumours as well as taking cyclosporin, steroids, minoxidil, phenobarbitone, phenytoin or male hormones.

Delivery & Shipping Information

UK Orders

We offer FREE standard tracked delivery on orders over £40.

The following delivery options are available:

Standard Tracked Delivery - 2/3 day delivery - £2.95
Express Tracked Delivery - 1/2 day delivery - £4.45
DPD Next Day - 1 working day - £6.95
Special Delivery (Guaranteed before 1pm) - £8.95
Saturday Guaranteed before 1pm - £10.45

Important Delivery Information

All our orders are sent out using Royal Mail (unless stated). We always aim to dispatch all Royal Mail orders received before 4pm the same working day. Any orders received after 4pm or over the weekend will be dispatched the next working day. We aim to dispatch all DPD orders placed before 3pm on the same working day. Orders will not be dispatched on weekends or bank holidays.

All orders are subject to approval by our team of doctors and pharmacists. Your delivery date in the checkout is subject to your consultation being approved by our healthcare team.

All orders can be fully tracked from your dispatch email and in your account.

We ensure all parcels are in plain packaging for discreet delivery of your medicines and pharmacy goods. Where possible, we will attempt to size all parcels to fit through your letterbox in tamper-proof packaging. By placing an order on our website, you confirm that it is safe and appropriate for a package containing medicines to be posted through your letterbox, if the carrier is able to do so. You should notify our customer support team if it is not safe for the package to be posted through the letterbox, for example due to animals or small children.

Deliveries containing pharmacy-only or prescription medicines may require a signature on receipt.

Delivery is free for all NHS prescriptions.

Royal Mail

Royal Mail are the most widely recognised mail delivery company in the UK. Being on the UK’s 29 million doorsteps six days a week means they offer unparalleled price and convenience. The Independent Pharmacy uses Royal Mail’s Tracked 48, Tracked 24, and Special Delivery Guaranteed parcel services to offer reliable, fully-tracked delivery at very competitive prices. Your Royal Mail parcel will arrive with your normal daily delivery of post.

Please note: Royal Mail do not deliver on Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

If you are not home to accept your delivery, a card should be left by the Royal Mail representative. This card will provide details of where you can collect the order or how to arrange re-delivery.

Should you be unable to collect your missed delivery or arrange for your medication to be redelivered by Royal Mail, the pharmacy can resend your medication to the same, or a different address provided it has been returned to us and this happens within a 30 day window.

Once a package has been shipped with Royal Mail we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

You have the right to cancel your order up to the point when your treatment is dispatched. The pharmacist must destroy any medication within 30 days of it being returned, even un-opened boxes, so we are not able to offer refunds once your treatment has been dispatched.

DPD

DPD Local is the most innovative parcel carrier around. Thanks to their industry-leading Predict service, they provide parcel recipients with a one hour delivery window, notified by email, so you don't have to wait in all day. What's more, it enables receivers to watch the progress of their delivery on a real-time map, all the way down to a final 15 minute time-slot.

As well as keeping customers informed at every stage of the journey, DPD believe in maximising choice and convenience. That's why DPD provide access to a suite of options both on the day of delivery and the night before, allowing customers to take delivery of their goods in a way that suits. If you wish to reschedule, you can:

Select an alternative delivery date
Opt for delivery to a nominated neighbour
Have the parcel left in a specified safe place
Collect the parcel from your local DPD Pickup Shop
Upgrade delivery to By 12

Please note: DPD do not deliver on Saturdays, Sundays or Bank Holidays - this should be taken into account when ordering.

Once a package has been shipped with DPD we advise that you are bound to the terms and conditions of their use together with the terms and conditions contained herein.

Forwarding houses

We are unable to ship orders to mailing or forwarding houses for onwards shipping to locations outside of the UK.

BFPO Postcodes

Unfortunately we are unable to deliver medicines to BFPO postcodes.

Remote Areas

Please be aware that Royal Mail Guaranteed services are not available to all customers in the UK, especially those that live in remote postcodes. Royal Mail advise customers of the following:

We deliver by 5.30pm the next working day in the following postcode areas:
AB30 - 39, 41 - 45, 51 - 56
GY9 Alderney (Channel Islands)
HS1, 3 - 9
IV21 - 28, 40 - 49, 51 - 56
KA27, 28
KW1 - 3, 5 - 15
KW16 Stromness Town only
PA20 (0&9)
PA28 - 38, 41 - 49, 76, 77
PH15, 17 - 26, 31 - 40, 49, 50
ZE1

We deliver within two working days by 5.30pm to the following postcodes areas:
GY1 Herm (Channel Islands)
GY9 Sark (Channel Islands)
GY10
HS2
PA60 - 75, 78
ZE2, 3

We deliver within three working days by 5.30pm to the following postcode areas:
KW16 - non-Town
KW17
PH30, 41 - 44

Please note: This applies to our 'Special Delivery' and 'Saturday Guaranteed' services.

International Orders

We are currently unable to ship orders outside of the UK.

We are unable to ship orders to mailing or forwarding houses for onwards shipping to locations outside of the UK.

Visit our advice area or contact our support team

Vaniqa 11.5% Cream Reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is in Vaniqa Cream?

Vaniqa cream contains eflornithine at strength of 11.5%. It also contains other inactive ingredients these are necessary to make up the cream. It also contains other inactive ingredients to help complete the product. A full list of these ingredients can be found under ‘Ingredients’.

How does Vaniqa work?

Enzymes are involved in hair production and are located inside the hair follicle. Eflornithine, the active ingredient in Vaniqa, blocks the hair-producing enzymes and therefore slows down hair production.

Vaniqa doesn’t get rid of hair or permanently stop hair from growing, but when used regularly it can slow down hair production to a point where it is vastly reduced or even it doesn’t grow at all.

Vaniqa is the only licensed medical product for facial hair removal on the UK market.

How do you apply Vaniqa cream to get the best results?

For best results, apply Vaniqa cream twice a day to the areas with hair around the lips and chin.

Initially there may be a slight tingling or redness, if this happens you can reduce the frequency of application to once daily. This can then be increased back to twice daily after a week or so.

Rub in the cream until it is absorbed into the skin and is not longer visible. Do not wash off for at least 4 hours.

When applying make up or sunscreens, it is advisable to wait at least 5 minutes to allow the Vaniqa cream to be properly absorbed.

Vaniqa needs to be used continuously for the effects to be seen and maintained. It may take up to 8 weeks for the full benefits to become apparent.

During use it is safe and acceptable to use depilatory creams, shave or pluck the affected areas. The manufacturer advises that the under these circumstances it best to allow the skin to rest for 5 minutes before applying Vaniqa to avoid skin irritation.

It is important to note that results will not be seen sooner if the cream is applied more frequently.

How long will it take to see the Facial Hair loss results?

Vaniqa is effective in 70% of women who use it and results can take up to 8 weeks to be seen.

A 60g tube of Vaniqa on average last 2 months and the manufacturer advises to discontinue use if you do not see any results after 16 weeks of using it.

What are the side effects?

All medicines have side effects but this doesn’t mean you will see or experience any of them.

The most common adverse reactions that are seen with Vaniqa are: acne, dry skin, skin irritation, redness at site of application. These tend to affect around 1 in every 100 patients. For a full list of possible side effects, see ‘Side Effects’.

Does Vaniqa interact with other medicines?

Vaniqa is well tolerated as it is applied where you need it. Currently there are no documented interactions with other medicines.

If you experience any side effects it is important to report them this can be done directly through us or through the yellowcardmhra.gov.uk. These will then be documented and added to the medical information in the future.

How effective is Vaniqa compared to other Hair Removal options?

Vaniqa is effective in 70% of women who use it for a continued period. It is important to note that Vaniqa has to be used continuously for the hair growth to be reduced and for you to see a difference. Discontinuation of the cream will result in the hair production restarting and the results reversed in the space of 8 weeks.

Compared to other hair loss products, it is easy to apply and is painless however it does not get rid of unwanted hair permanently and needs to be used continuously for the hair loss to continue.

What will happen if I stop using the Vaniqa cream?

If you stop using the cream the hair production will start again and it is likely the unwanted hair will return within an 8-week period.

Can I drink alcohol whilst using Vaniqa cream?

Alcohol has no effect on Vaniqa cream.

Is Vaniqa safe in pregnancy and breast-feeding?

The manufacturer recommends that Vaniqa cream should not be used during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding.

What can cause Excessive Hair Growth?

Excessive hair growth can be caused by:

Medicines - It is known that the following medicines can cause excessive hair growth:

Minoxidil (for blood pressure), cyclosporin (used after organ transplants to prevent organ rejection), glucocorticoids (steroids - used in rheumatoid arthritis), phenytoin and phenobarbitone (for seizures). Some contraceptive pills can also cause excessive facial hair.

If you are taking any of the above medicines and you are also experiencing excessive hair growth, it would be worth talking to your doctor or healthcare professional.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - In women, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause weight gain, acne and excessive facial hair. This can be effectively treated by your GP.

Family history – Women with a family history of thick or dark facial hair in the females are also likely to suffer with excess facial hair.

Asian or South-East Asian descent – Women with this background tend to have darker hair which can make facial hair seem more pronounced.

Menopause or hormonal changes – Hormonal changes around the time of puberty or menopause can alter the balance of male and female hormones. This can sometimes result in higher levels of facial hair.

Authored By:

Andy Boysan

BPharm

Published on: 02-02-2017

Last modified on: 02-02-2019

Reviewed By:

Dr Donald Grant

MB ChB DRCOG MRCGP Dip.orth.med

Reviewed on: 02-02-2019

Next review date: 02-02-2021

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