Teeth Whitening and Vaginal Rejuvenation - All Under One Roof?!

There’s plenty of treatments nowadays that help to deal with all our aesthetic desires. If your lips feel too small, there’s botox. If your teeth don’t sparkle, there’s teeth whitening. If your vagina is loose, there’s vaginal rejuvenation…

Yes, you read that correctly.

You may have heard of designer handbags, or designer shoes, but now you can have your very own designer vagina with the help of rejuvenation surgery.

How Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Work?

During a surgical procedure, a laser probe is inserted internally to treat the vaginal wall and a second handpiece is used to tighten the external genitalia. The internal application causes a vibrating pain sensation.

This surgery uses a new device, containing a Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) laser that delivers superficial energy into the delicate skin of the vagina. This creates tiny white ablated dots of damaged tissue on the mucosal tissue inside of the vaginal canal. The resulting heating response stimulates the production of new collagen, which thickens the vaginal lining, giving the impression of a tighter vagina.

 

What Does Vaginal Rejuvenation Claim to Treat?

The laser vaginal rejuvenation treatment claims to treat:

1. Gynaecological concerns - Peri-menopause (the transition into menopause) and menopausal symptoms, vaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, and inflammation of vaginal walls), vaginal dryness, and vaginal laxity (loss of vaginal tightness) post pregnancy and childbirth.
2. Urological concerns - Stress urinary incontinence (urine leaks due to sudden pressure), recurrent urinary infections, premature urination, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
3. Sexual dysfunction - Reduced sensation, vaginal laxity (loss of vaginal tightness), and painful intercourse.
4. Cosmetic concerns - Vulval skin resurfacing for pigmentation and darkened patches, vaginal atrophy (thinning, drying, inflammation of vaginal walls), labia tightening and rejuvenation, and vaginal tightening and rejuvenation.

Results are dependent on numerous factors including age, treatment settings, patient health, tissue health (prior to treatment), sexual activity, and compliance with pre and post treatment instructions.

 

Sounds Great, Where Can I Receive Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatments?

In the UK you can receive treatments such as vaginal rejuvenation, teeth whitening and massages all underneath one roof on the high street! That may sound really convenient, but consider it as if your local curry house starts offering kebabs and pizza - you wouldn’t necessarily trust it to do a good job at any of them. Prices vary from clinic to clinic, but roughly start between £450-£1200.

Vaginal rejuvenation treatments like this are pelvic surgeries and should be considered as such. It often includes an overnight stay and repeat treatments before the benefits are felt. It’s important to be aware that patient satisfaction often declines just after 18 months.

Is Vaginal Rejuvenation Safe?

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recently expressed their warnings against several companies who market ‘vaginal rejuvenation’, detailing that the treatments are dangerous and deceptive; some not even FDA-approved.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have underlined that presenting vaginal rejuvenation as an unproblematic lifestyle option is inappropriate as it misinforms women about the efficiency of the procedure. RCOG stated that “long-term damage to sensitivity and sexual function may occur” as surgery can “disrupt nerve supply”.

An article from The Guardian also notes that there has been a rise in vulva-reshaping labiaplasty and other cosmetic procedures to enhance the look of the female genitalia. There were 220 completed surgeries for labiaplasty (reshaping or shortening the lips of the vagina) for under 18s in 2016-2017.

What are the Risks and Side Effects of Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatments?

1. Vaginal Discharge – It is not uncommon to experience a watery vaginal discharge after the procedure which may last for several days.
2. Bleeding - Very occasionally, there may be some bleeding or discharge post-treatment which does not require any treatment and will resolve within 24-48 hours.
3. Infection - In some cases, the treated area may become weepy as it heals. However, if it starts to become red, inflamed, or if there is any pus present, contact your clinic for advice as an infection could have developed.
4. Discomfort - This is a pelvic surgery and should be considered as such when deciding if it’s for you.
5. White Dots and Flaking – Small white dots, or perforations may be visible on the external genitalia and some flaking may occur following the treatment. DO NOT pick or scratch at these as it may lead to infection or scarring.
6. Swelling - Swelling may be present after treatment but may only develop the next day and can take several days to resolve.