Facial hair removal

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is the clinical term used to describe excessive hair growth in women, especially on the face, including on the upper lip and chin. This hair is usually dark and thick as opposed to fair and fine. As well as on the face, it can appear on the chest, neck, tummy and genital area. The condition is often associated with other symptoms, such as acne, voice changes and a receding hairline at the front of the head. In the majority of cases, the problem is a sign of a hormonal imbalance.

Although it does not pose a medical risk, hirsutism can be highly distressing to the women who suffer from it. Often, it makes them feel self-conscious about their appearance and it can have a negative impact on many aspects of their lives, affecting everything from their relationships to the clothes they feel comfortable wearing.

What causes it?

Hirsutism is normally caused by excessive levels of male hormones known as androgens, or by increased sensitivity to these hormones. In the majority of cases, it is a result of polycystic ovary syndrome, but for one in 10 sufferers, there is no obvious trigger. There is evidence to suggest that the problem can sometimes run in families.

How does treatment work?

At present, there is no cure for the condition, but there are effective hair removal techniques on offer. For example, many people with hirsutism shave, wax, pluck or bleach the hair on the affected parts of their bodies. In addition, the treatment Vaniqa can be used to stop facial hair from growing. The active ingredient in this prescription-only medication is eflornithine. Applied as a cream, it penetrates to the roots of hair and acts on an enzyme that plays a role in growth. Results can be seen as early as eight weeks into the treatment, but it may take four months to witness the benefits. Note that this treatment is only licensed for use on the face, and while the medicine can cause hair growth to slow and lead to an improved appearance, it does not represent a cure for hirsutism.

We offer Vaniqa following a short consultation with our pharmacist and with no prescription necessary.

Vaniqa

Unwanted hair growth on the face can be a distressing problem for women. Vaniqa is a prescription-only cream that is used to treat this issue and it can offer long-lasting results. It contains 115mg of eflornithine hydrochloride monohydrate, which reduces hair growth from the roots.

Why choose Vaniqa?

Excessive facial hair can have a negative impact on your confidence and quality of life. Vaniqa offers a convenient way of tackling this problem. The treatment can start to work in as little as eight weeks and it offers significant improvements for many of those who use it. Studies have shown that 35 per cent of women treated with this cream have successful outcomes, meaning they are graded as ‘clear’, ‘almost clear’ or showing ‘marked improvement’ after using it.

You can apply Vaniqa to:

Successfully manage facial hirsutism
Boost your confidence
Improve your appearance

What dose should I choose?

Dosage information and usage instructions are provided with the treatment, but if you have any questions about how much of the cream you should use our pharmacists are here to help.

How should I use Vaniqa?

Vaniqa is applied in a thin layer to the affected parts of the face and the adjacent areas (which are usually the top of the lip and under the chin). This process should be completed twice a day around eight hours apart. The cream must be rubbed in thoroughly and the area should be left unwashed for at least four hours after application.

How does Vaniqa work?

The active ingredient in Vaniqa is eflornithine. This penetrates to the base of hair follicles and interferes with an enzyme that is responsible for growth. It usually takes between eight weeks and four months to see results. If you haven’t noticed a difference after this period, you should stop using the cream.

What are the side effects of Vaniqa?

As with all medicines, there are a range of potential side effects associated with this treatment. For example, Vaniqa can cause a number of skin reactions, such as dryness, burning or tingling sensations, stinging or itching, redness, inflammation and acne. If you would like further guidance about the possible side effects, or you want to like to find out more about the treatment more generally, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our specialists by phone or email. We are on hand to answer any of your queries.

Patient Information Leaflet

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.6398.pdf

Service details

Price: Small charge

Frequency: When required…

Leaflet: Page one