What do women want fixed down there anyway?

Before we look at solutions, let’s look at the problem. As we age, our bodies stop producing as much collagen, hyaluronic acid, and moisture in general. Collagen is a connective protein found in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occuring sugar that water binds to within the skin. When these cells begin to lessen in production, the skin does not retain as much moisture or elasticity. When moisture is not as prevalent, the skin does not look as plump and smooth as it once did. The loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid is not preventable, but how much we lose is, to a degree. Exposure to ultraviolet light, tobacco smoke, and even our diet can affect collagen and hyaluronic production. Eating a well-balanced diet and drinking an appropriate amount of water can have a great affect on your skin! It is also much easier to prevent wrinkles due to collagen and hyaluronic acid loss than it is to fix them.

Read More: What is Hyaluronic Acid

So, what exactly is the problem women are finding down there? Well, like the rest of our body, the skin around the vagina can also become wrinkled and less firm. Even a bit saggy. Women have started going to their plastic surgeons to have this embarrassing issue corrected. But is this necessary?

Treatments for Loss of Tone In The Labia 

There are a few main ways that a plastic surgeon can improve the tone of the labia. The first option you have to improve the tone of your vulva is to have fat injected into each side of the labia. This semi-invasive procedure will fill out the area, giving the labia a more natural, plump looking appearance. The labia itself will be more full, which should smooth out any wrinkles that have developed and remove any sagging.

If you go in for a labia augmentation using fat injections, here is what you can expect. First, the surgeon will do a bit of liposuction to harvest the fat. The fat is then purified, cleansing it of any cellular “debris”. This will ensure that your body will more-likely accept the fat after it is injected. Next, the fat is injected to each side of the labia. They use many tiny syringes for this process, injecting the fat at various depths to make sure it is accepted and is even.

Having fat injections does have some drawbacks. First, the procedure can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000! Also, as with any procedure that involves needles and/or surgery, infection is possible. There will also likely be bruising, numbness, and site pain after the procedure. It is also suggested that you do not do any heavy lifting, strenuous workouts, or even have sex for up to six weeks after the injections! Lastly, there is also a possibility that the fat will be reabsorbed into your body, leaving you with undesired results, as well as the possibility for the sides to be asymmetrical once everything heals.

If those cons are turning you off from fat fillers, hyaluronic acid fillers are also an option. Hyaluronic acid injections work in a similar fashion to the fat injections, but are less invasive. There is no liposuction needed, and you can immediately return to your normal activities. A topical anesthetic is used to numb the labia, then the fillers are injected in a similar manner as the fat injections. There may be some slight bruising or discomfort, but you can go right back to your normal activities, as tolerable. Probably the biggest drawback to this procedure? The cost. Hyaluronic acid injections cost between $4000 and $6000, and typically has to have maintenance touch-ups every year! Also, the filler is not as natural-feeling or looking as the fat. We’ll talk more about hyaluronic acid in a moment...

Another less-invasive option you have for vulva rejuvenation is radio frequency and laser therapy. These technologies are also done in-office. A small probe is run along the outside of the labia, heating up the cells in the area. The heat promotes new growth of collagen, which should expand and fill out the labia once again, smoothing out the skin and ridding the area of any sag. While this radio frequency treatment is not invasive and only takes 15-30 minutes, multiple sessions are required before you typically notice a difference. Each session can cost anywhere from $800 to $1200. Upkeep treatments are also usually needed every four to twelve months. 

At Home Vulva Rejuvenation Treatment

What is hyaluronic acid anyway?

We talked a little bit about hyaluronic acid earlier, but let’s dive into it a bit deeper. If you have a set skincare routine, you have likely seen hyaluronic acid used as an ingredient several times, and probably even have products with it right now. But do you know what it is? Hyaluronic acid is a sugar that is naturally-occuring in human skin, eyes, and connective tissues. Water molecules literally bind themselves to the acid. This keeps the water where it needs to be, rather than a lot of it just evaporating away.

The main job of hyaluronic acid is to retain moisture and smoothness. In the skin, this results in a more-youthful appearance that is plump and smooth. When the amount of moisture in our skin is too small, it begins to get thinner. When skin thins, it not only begins to wrinkle and have fine lines, but it can also look transparent. This causes uneven skin tone, and sometimes even dark circles. When you have (and keep) an appropriate amount of hyaluronic acid in your ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, it results in joints that bend much easier and stay healthy longer.

Like many other naturally-occurring proteins in our skin, such as collagen for example, the amount of hyaluronic acid that is created by our bodies gradually lessens as we age. The rate at which the amount lessens can be affected by our diet and the amount of exposure to sunlight, smoke, and pollution. As with many other things, how you eat, drink, and take care of yourself in general can improve or worsen the amount of these proteins and sugars that are naturally available. Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced diet full of fruits and veggies and you’ll have a great start! If you need a little help, you can easily increase the amount of hyaluronic acid in your skin topically with serums and creams. If your joints are in need of some lubrication, you can up the amount you have internally by taking a supplement. But are there risks?

When adding hyaluronic acid to your skin topically, there are zero side effects to worry about. The amount of HA in skin care products is so minimal that you do not “overdose” If you take a hyaluronic acid supplement however, you need to know this...some cancer cells have been shown to grow faster in those taking hyaluronic acid supplements. If you have cancer or have a family history of cancer, definitely talk to your physician to rule out any risks! As we said above, there are also hyaluronic acid injections available for various procedures. The amount used is not enough to pose any risks. The only risks come from the injections themselves.

Let us know...is vaginal rejuvenation something that was on your radar? Which treatment option sounds most reasonable for your lifestyle? Leave us a comment below!