Female facial hair

Medical information

Written and reviewed by a team of doctors. Dr Fox is regulated by the CQC & GPhC.

Causes of female facial hair

Hirsutism is the medical term for excessive thick, coarse hair that develops on the face in women. It can also appear on other areas such as the chest, tummy, lower back, buttocks and thighs, however Vaniqa has not been shown to help to reduce hair growth in these areas and is only for use on the face. It can be normal, running in families and is more common in women of South Asian and Southern European ethnicity.

All women have some male hormone (androgen) as well as female hormone (oestrogen) in their system. Female facial hair or hirsutism in women is caused by hair follicles reacting to excessive circulating male hormone or by an increased reaction to this hormone.

Female facial hair can also be due to the hormonal changes which take place around the menopause, during pregnancy, or with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Less commonly other hormone abnormalities can be linked with the problem. Some prescription medicines such as cyclosporin, minoxidil, steroids, and carbamazepine can cause an increase in facial hair. However in 5-20% of women there is no underlying cause found.

How does Vaniqa work?

Vaniqa contains the active ingredient eflornithine, which affects an enzyme which plays a part in hair growth at the base of the hair follicle, reducing new hair growth.

Vaniqa is applied twice daily. A small amount is rubbed-in to areas of increased hair growth, usually the top lip and under the chin. One 60gm tube will normally last two months.

Who can benefit from Vaniqa cream

Vaniqa cream can be used by most women with hirsutism over 18 years of age. Studies show 7 out of 10 women improve with Vaniqa treatment.

It can take 4-8 weeks for changes to be noticeable. Vaniqa slows down the growth of new hair. It is not a hair remover and does not cause hair to fall out. For this reason, hair removal techniques and products should be continued at the same time.

Vaniqa is only effective if its use is continued. After Vaniqa cream is stopped, its effects wear off after about 8 weeks.

Vaniqa is not known to interact with any other prescription medication.

Who should NOT use Vaniqa

It is important that women who are considering using Vaniqa for facial hair have consulted with their own GP, to exclude any serious medical cause. An underlying medical condition is more likely if:

• hirsutism has developed quickly over the previous few months or years,
• there are also menstrual problems,
• other male hormone effects are noticed such as muscles getting bigger or deepening of the voice,
• associated with obesity or diabetes.

If you have severe kidney or liver disease there are no documented problems, however, the manufacturers recommend that you discuss with your doctor before using Vaniqa.

Vaniqa does not work for everyone and the cream should be stopped if there is no improvement after 4 months.

Vaniqa possible side effects

Most women do not experience side effects when using Vaniqa cream. Acne may occur due to treatment and stinging of the skin, tingling, soreness, and redness occurs occasionally.

Further information about possible side-effects of Vaniqa and other aspects of treatment can be found in the manufacturer's patient information leaflet.

Vaniqa and pregnancy or breastfeeding

It is not known if Vaniqa is harmful in pregnancies, or if it is excreted in milk so it should not be used if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Other treatments for unwanted female facial hair

As female facial hair is usually linked with excess male hormone (androgen), most other treatments work by reducing the amount of androgen activity in the body.

The simplest way to do this, is to take the combined contraceptive pill, that is often a good choice if suitable. Vaniqa can be used at the same time.

Two more specific anti-androgen combined contraceptive pills - Dianette containing cyproterone acetate, or Yasmin containing drospirenone - can be used, but they have a greater risk of thrombosis (blood clots) than other combined hormonal contraceptives. In extreme cases, endocrinologists may prescribe androgen blockers.

In women with obesity, significant weight loss will reduce the levels of androgens and can therefore help to reduce unwanted facial hair.

How else to manage facial hair:

• Shaving.
• Waxing.
• Depilatory cream which dissolves the hair shaft.
• Bleaching.
• Electrolysis.
• Laser hair removal.
• Intense pulsed light (IPL).

Depression and stress

Some women who are troubled by excess facial hair find it embarrassing and even depressing. Women who feel this way are not alone and should not suffer in silence. It is important that low mood and anxiety are discussed with a doctor.

Dr Fox supplies Vaniqa cream on prescription - you are required to answer a short medical questionnaire before your order can be completed.

Authored 28 May 2013 by Dr Tony Steele
MB ChB Sheffield University 1983. Former hospital doctor and GP. GMC no. 2825328

Reviewed by Dr C. Pugh, Dr J. Tweedie, Dr B. Babor
Last reviewed 02 January 2026
Last updated 26 January 2026
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