frequentlyasked questions
VANIQA® is the first and only FDA approved prescription cream of its kind, so you may have some questions.
what is VANIQA®?
VANIQA® is the first and only prescription cream clinically proven to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. VANIQA® (eflornithine HCl) Cream, 13.9%, is not a prescription hair removal product and does not replace your current hair removal method. Instead, VANIQA® complements it by reducing hair growth. By using it twice a day, every day, you should be spending less time removing facial hair. You will still need to use your current facial hair removal cream and most users see a noticeable reduction in the amount of unwanted facial hair within the first 4 to 8 weeks when used twice a day every day. For some women it may take longer.
is VANIQA® a prescription hair removal product?
Does using it mean I won’t have to deal with unwanted facial hair anymore?
There are no prescription hair removal creams, but there is VANIQA® cream. VANIQA® cream is used for the reduction of facial hair growth in women. If you are currently tweezing, shaving, waxing or using another type of hair removal method, it’s important for you to continue doing so. VANIQA® complements your current facial hair removal method by reducing the rate of growth, so over time you should be removing UFH less often.
how does VANIQA® work?
VANIQA® is the only FDA approved product that works within the hair follicle, right where the UFH problem begins. It works with all skin types and on all hair colors, including dark, coarse hair and light, vellus hair (peach fuzz).
how do I get the best results?
For the best results, VANIQA® should be used twice a day as part of your morning and evening skin care routine. A little VANIQA® goes a long way. As directed by your doctor, massage a thin layer of VANIQA® on your chin, upper lip or other areas of your face twice a day, until it's absorbed into the skin. VANIQA should be used along with your normal hair removal methods.
can I use VANIQA® with cosmetics, moisturizers and sunscreens?
Yes. VANIQA® can be used with your usual products as part of your morning and evening skin care routine. Apply VANIQA® first and wait for it to dry before applying moisturizer, sunscreen or cosmetics. After applying VANIQA®, wait at least four hours before you wash your face.
what happens if I don’t use VANIQA® regularly?
If you forget or miss a day, don’t try to “make it up.” If you don’t apply VANIQA® for an extended period of time, hair will begin growing at the same rate as it used to grow. Once you resume using VANIQA® twice a day, every day, hair growth should slow again. If you have other questions, talk to your doctor.
how do I get VANIQA®?
VANIQA® is only available by prescription so you should ask a doctor if VANIQA® is right for you. Any doctor can write a prescription for VANIQA®, so you can talk to a primary care physician, a family doctor, an OB/GYN, a dermatologist, or any other doctor you feel comfortable speaking with.
is it appropriate to talk to my doctor about my unwanted facial hair?
Certainly. While you may hide your facial hair from everyone else, you can feel comfortable discussing your problems and learning about your facial hair removal options. After all, now your doctor has a prescription option to offer you—VANIQA®. It is not a prescription hair removal cream, rather a cream scientifically developed and clinically proven to reduce the growth of unwanted facial hair in women. You can be sure your doctor is willing and able to help. These helpful tips make it easy to talk to your doctor about VANIQA®.
how do I know VANIQA® is working?
When you rub VANIQA® in, it goes below the surface to slow growth within the hair follicle itself. In as little as 4 to 8 weeks, you may find you’re spending less time tweezing, waxing, shaving, bleaching, or using depilatories to manage your facial hair. That’s how you’ll know VANIQA® is really working.
does VANIQA® have any side effects?
VANIQA® has an excellent safety profile and will not damage or scar skin. In clinical trials, some women experienced minor and temporary skin irritations such as redness, stinging, burning, tingling or acne. If these persist, consult your doctor. Only 2% of subjects discontinued studies due to side effects related to the use of VANIQA®.
who can use VANIQA®?
VANIQA® is for women who are bothered by unwanted facial hair on their chin, upper lip and other areas of the face. It can be used on all skin types and on all hair colors. Ask your doctor if VANIQA® is right for you. It should not be used if you are less than 12 years old. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, discuss with your doctor whether you should use VANIQA® during pregnancy. No clinical studies have been performed in pregnant women. If you are breast feeding, consult your doctor before using VANIQA®. It is not known if VANIQA® is passed to infants through breast milk.
how long until I see results with VANIQA®?
VANIQA® is a prescription product that reduces the growth of UFH but it is not a hair removal cream, so it does not work instantly. With twice daily use, many women will see results within 4 to 8 weeks. Individual results may vary. If no improvement has been seen in six months, you should discontinue use.
can VANIQA® be used with laser hair removal treatments?
Clinical studies have shown that VANIQA® improves the effectiveness of laser hair removal. One study with 31 women showed that after 6 months of treatment, complete or almost complete hair removal was achieved in 94% of patients receiving laser plus VANIQA®, compared to 68% for patients receiving laser without VANIQA®.
A second study with 54 patients found a similar effect with the combination of VANIQA® plus laser between 6 and 22 weeks of treatment. Approximately 75% of these patients reported a preference for combination therapy over laser treatment alone.