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Vaniqa

Facial Hair Removal|Active ingredient(s): Eflornithine|Manufacturer: ALMIRALL

Young woman on beige background touching her face smiling.

Say goodbye to your razor: easily treat unwanted facial hair growth

  • Reduce and prevent excessive facial hair growth (hirsutism).
  • Suitable for women with PCOS.
  • Apply twice a day.
  • No cuts or ingrown hairs
  • Safe for long-term use.

How to use

A close-up of a drop of cream on a woman’s finger.

Use twice a day

Apply a thin layer of Vaniqa twice a day, allowing 8 hours between each application. If plucking or shaving, wait 5 minutes before using Vaniqa.

A young woman applying a cream to her face in a bathroom.

With skincare

Avoid washing your face for at least 4 hours after applying. Wait at least 5 minutes after application before using makeup or skincare.

A young woman looking at her irritated skin in a mirror.

Any irritation?

Apply Vaniqa only once a day until the irritation has gone. Speak to your doctor if you are still experiencing irritation.

What others say about Vaniqa

Trustpilot review
23 reviews with score 4.7

Quality healthcare
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Price is all-inclusive.
Consultation is included.
Prescription is included.

Free shipping.
UK: Free next-day delivery.
Discreet packaging.

Licensed doctors.
Registered pharmacies.
Certified online pharmacy.

Vaniqa

What is Vaniqa?

Vaniqa is a cream used to treat excessive facial hair growth in women, a condition known as hirsutism. It is used for unwanted hair growth in women with conditions that cause high levels of male hormones, like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

It was approved for treatment in the EU in March 2001 and contains Eflornithine, a medicine that works by slowing down hair growth. You use it twice a day long-term.

Vaniqa is not a typical hair removal cream and works gradually over time. You may still need to continue with your usual hair removal methods, such as shaving or plucking.

How does Vaniqa work?

Vaniqa cream contains Eflornithine, which works to slow the rate of hair growth on the face. It works by stopping the action of an enzyme that is necessary for hair growth in the hair follicles.

This prevents excessive hair growth on the face, which eventually results in finer and less noticeable hair.

How effective is it?

Vaniqa is an effective and safe treatment for hirsutism.

One study compared Vaniqa 11.5% cream to a placebo (an inactive drug). After 24 weeks’ treatment, they found:

  • 58% showed improvement in their hirsutism compared to 34% on the placebo
  • 32% completely treated for their hirsutism, compared to 8% on the placebo
  • 33% reported feeling less discomfort, compared to 15% on the placebo

Only mild side effects were reported, such as burning, stinging or tingling on the skin.

How long does it take Vaniqa to work?

You should start to notice improvements within 8 weeks of using Vaniqa. However, it may take up to 4 months to see significant improvement.

Do not stop using it, as this may cause your hair growth to return.

If you have not noticed any improvement after 4 months, you should see your doctor.

Who can use Vaniqa?

Vaniqa is safe to take for most women with hirsutism. However, you should speak to your doctor if you have:

  • any other medical conditions
  • kidney or liver problems

You should also see your doctor if you have hirsutism and you do not know the cause. Hirsutism is caused by a hormone imbalance, so you should see your doctor to find out if there is an underlying cause.

Can men use Vaniqa?

No, men should not use Vaniqa. The safety and effectiveness of Vaniqa have not been studied in men and therefore should not be used.

How do I use Vaniqa?

You must apply Vaniqa to your face two times a day.

How to apply Vaniqa

  1. Clean and dry the areas of the skin where you will be using the cream.
  2. Apply a thin layer of cream and rub it in thoroughly until you cannot see any residual cream.
  3. Do not wash the treated areas of skin for at least 4 hours after application.
  4. Wait at least 5 minutes before using any skincare or makeup in the same area.

Allow for at least 8 hours between each application. If you experience any irritation, apply it only once a day until your irritation has improved.

If you have shaved or plucked, wait 5 minutes before applying Vaniqa.

Can Vaniqa be used on other body parts?

No, Vaniqa should only be applied to the face and under the chin. Vaniqa has not been clinically tested on other parts of the body, so its effectiveness and safety anywhere except the face are unknown.

How long should I take Vaniqa for?

Most women use Vaniqa continuously. If you stop using it, it is likely that hair growth will return. You should stop using it if you experience prolonged irritation or you do not see any improvement after 4 months.

Are there any side effects?

Like all prescription medicines, Vaniqa may cause side effects. The most common side effects should go away on their own once your body gets used to the medicine.

Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):

  • mild tingling, burning or stinging of the skin
  • increased risk of skin infection

Speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any persistent or serious side effects.

For a full list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet (PIL).

Is Vaniqa safe?

Yes, Vaniqa is a safe and clinically-proven hirsutism treatment. But if you have another medical condition or take other medication, your doctor will need to ensure it’s safe for you. Our doctors will also know whether it’s safe for you based on your medical questionnaire during the ordering process.

Is Eflora the same as Vaniqa?

Eflora and Vaniqa are both creams used to treat facial hair growth, and both contain the active ingredient Elfornithine. The only difference is that Eflora is a generic version of Vaniqa.

Can I get Vaniqa without a prescription?

No, Vaniqa is not available without a prescription. Our doctors will only prescribe treatment if you meet the criteria in your online consultation.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

  • safety during treatment
  • effective results
  • monitoring of side effects
Medical review byDr. Caroline FontanaLast review 14 November 2025
Dr. Caroline Fontana

Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.

Vaniqa Overview

Type of medicine: Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitors
Used for: Facial hirsutism in women
Active ingredient: Eflornithine
Works by: Stopping the action of an enzyme responsible for hair growth.
Effective within: 8 weeks
Available as: Cream
Available dosages: 115mg/g Eflornithine (11.5%)
Usage instructions: Apply to affected areas of the face twice a day. Allow 8 hours between each application.
Packaging: Plastic tube of cream in a cardboard carton.
Manufacturer Almirall
Generic available No

FAQs

What is included in the online consultation?
Will a doctor review my consultation?
What happens after I submit my order?
What services are included with my order?
Is the price all-inclusive?
What are my delivery options?
Is it safe to buy prescription medication online?
Is this service discreet?
What is included in the online consultation?

Our online consultations are in the format of short medical questionnaires. You will be asked general questions about your health and medical history, as well as specific medical questions relevant to the treatment you have chosen. We will also ask you for your payment and delivery details to complete the order.

Online consultations take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. All questions are necessary when issuing prescription medicines. It means that our doctors can make sure the treatment is safe and right for you.

Will a doctor review my consultation?

Yes, it is a legal requirement that all online consultations are reviewed by a registered doctor. This is to make sure the chosen treatment is safe and right for you to take. All personal information is stored securely and confidentially.

Please note, all orders are subject to doctor approval, and we cannot guarantee that your order will be approved.

What happens after I submit my order?

Your online consultation will be sent directly to our medical team, where it will be reviewed by on of our in-house doctors.

If a doctor approves you for treatment, they will issue a prescription. Your prescription will then be forwarded to our pharmacist, where you medication will be dispensed and dispatched for delivery.

What services are included with my order?

Every order includes:

  • Free consultation - your consultation will be personally reviewed by one of our registered doctors.
  • Free prescription - a doctor will issue you a prescription if approved for treatment.
  • Free delivery - we provide free express delivery across Europe, you should receive your order in 1-2 working days.
Is the price all-inclusive?

Yes, our service is all-inclusive and there are no hidden fees. All 121doc orders include a free online consultation, a free prescription and free express delivery.

What are my delivery options?

We offer several delivery options at no extra charge:

  • Next-day delivery
  • UPS Access Point - convenient parcel drop-off and collection near your home or work address
  • Nominated-day delivery - choose the most convenient day for delivery

All these options can be tracked and require a signature on delivery. If you are not in, a friend or relative can sign in your place.

Is it safe to buy prescription medication online?

It is safe to buy prescription medications online from genuine and reputable healthcare providers, like 121doc.

Our medical staff and facilities are registered with the relevant medical governing bodies. We also ensure your data is protected by adhering to European data privacy laws.

You can learn more about our certifications here.

Is this service discreet?

Our patients’ privacy is of utmost importance. All your medical information is securely stored and only viewed by our doctors. We do not share your details with third-parties. We are also closely adhere to data privacy laws.

All orders will only show on invoices, bank statements, etc. as ‘HHC Ltd’.

How does it work?

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Select a condition here or use the top menu. For every condition, we provide you with information as well as the treatments we currently offer. If you don’t know which is best for you, just click the 'Advise-me' button.

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If you know what you want, the quickest way to find a specific medication is to use the search bar here.

Ordering:

Every order starts with an online consultation. We will ask you medical questions to make sure only treatment that is safe and effective is prescribed. We take into account your lifestyle, health and any other medications you’re currently using.

The consultation is completely free, and takes between 5 and 10 minutes of your time.

All your information is safe with us. We don’t share it with anyone unless you want us to.

Help:

If you need any guidance, you can call, message or email our customer service team via the ‘How can we help you?' section here.

Prescribe
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Review:

As soon as you place the order, one of our doctors will review your consultation. On working days, this usually takes around one hour.

Questions:

If the doctor has any additional questions, you will receive a phone call and an email. We understand you might be at work or busy. Our customer service representatives are always discreet and can call back at a more convenient time if necessary.

Our emails never contain any personal or medical information, only a link to your private account on our website (where you will find your messages).

Pharmacy:

Once our pharmacy receives your prescription, you will get a second email with your package tracking code.

Deliver
Deliver Expect your delivery the next working day.
Always free. Discreet packaging.
Free next-day delivery

Free:

All orders include next-day delivery. Alternatively, you can select a delivery date that suits you better.

Location:

We also provide a free UPS Access Point service. Pick up your package from one of many collection points across the UK.

With your tracking code, you will know the estimated delivery time. All we need is your signature (or a friend‘s or relative’s).

Discreet:

All parcels are plainly labelled; there is no logo or any indication of its contents. Inside, you will find your treatment as well as a patient leaflet in your chosen language.

Repeat
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10 to 15% off

Repeat:

With 121doc’s Subscribe & Save service, you can automatically receive your treatment every few weeks or months.

The order will be generated by us, using the information you provided (including delivery frequency). You don’t have to do anything. Payment is taken two days before shipping.

Subscribe:

There are two ways to subscribe. The first is during the order process. The second is via your profile here.

You can cancel or amend your repeat prescriptions at any time.

Save:

There are no sign-up fees with this service. Plus, you get a 10% discount off all future prescriptions, increasing to 15% after six orders!