How Effective Is The Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Procedure?
Over time, the vagina can experience changes due to a variety of factors like age-related estrogen deficiencies, childbirth, and physical problems with the vulva and lower urinary tract. Damage to the pelvic floor, a loss of tone in the vaginal canal, and other impairments can result in chronic dryness, burning, and irritation as well as problems like discomfort during sex and urinary incontinence.
There are many modern medical procedures that can help. Many women have heard of a vaginoplasty, a surgical procedure that tightens the vaginal canal. When successful, a vaginoplasty can alleviate many of the above issues, but it is an invasive procedure that comes with significant downtime. Laser rejuvenation is a non-surgical alternative that both tightens the vaginal muscles and improves underlying urinary and vaginal issues.
Below, we will offer a brief breakdown of laser vaginal rejuvenation treatment options to help you decide whether the procedure is right for you.
How Does Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Work?
Laser vaginal rejuvenation uses either CO2 or radio frequency energy to help remodel vaginal tissue and stimulate the production of new collagen.
With CO2 treatment, a CO2 fractional laser creates micro-lesions within the vaginal wall, stimulating the production of new collagen to promote increased tone and function. This both reorganizes and rejuvenates components of vaginal mucosa and the surrounding urogenital structures. The ensuing tissue regeneration both tightens the vagina and improves its overall health and functionality, alleviating issues such as burning, irritation, incontinence, and so on.
Radio frequency treatment uses electromagnetic waves to heat the underlying tissue, which has a similar effect to CO2 treatment. It also helps stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate vaginal mucosa, resulting in the same improvements associated with CO2 treatment.
What Happens During Vaginal Rejuvenation Treatment?
Laser vaginal rejuvenation is a simple, pain-free process that requires no downtime or anesthesia. During treatment, you will sit in the same position that you would for a pelvic exam while your practitioner inserts a laser probe into the vagina that administers either CO2 or radio frequency energy. Treatment is usually brief and often takes less than five minutes.
Some patients may feel slightly sore following treatment, but this should subside on its own within a few days. While you can resume most regular activities immediately, you should refrain from sexual intercourse for the first three to four days after treatment.
Most patients need 2 to 3 treatments spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart followed by one treatment annually to maintain results.
How Effective Is Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation?
For many women, laser vaginal rejuvenation can be highly effective not only at tightening the vagina, but at improving underlying urinary or vaginal issues.
When successful, laser vaginal rejuvenation can have many positive benefits such as reducing pain during sex, treating painful urination or incontinence, preventing chronic urinary tract infections, increasing vaginal lubrication, and eliminating age-related discomfort. Many women report significant improvement in their quality of life after undergoing vaginal rejuvenation.
That being said, no surgical procedure is right for every patient. After childbirth especially, some patients may experience an extreme loss of vaginal tone. While radio frequency and CO2 treatments can stimulate collagen and promote healing, surgery actually closes the gaps between vaginal muscles that have separated or have been damaged. In extreme cases, your practitioner may recommend surgical treatment if laser treatment cannot adequately address your needs.
Are There Risks?
All medical procedures carry some risks, but risks associated with vaginal rejuvenation remain very low overall. Most patients do experience some temporary side effects. This often includes slight redness, swelling, and mild discomfort after treatment. These should pass on their own within a few days and usually do not require medical treatment.
In extremely rare cases, some patients may experience more serious side effects such as scarring, vaginal burns, and recurring pain that may require follow-up treatment to address.
The best way to avoid complications is to work with a reputable provider and follow all aftercare instructions closely.
The Bottom Line
Vaginal rejuvenation is a simple outpatient procedure that can tighten and rejuvenate the vagina. This can alleviate many issues including urinary incontinence and painful intercourse without the need for surgery. This can not only boost self-esteem, but improve your overall quality of life. While some patients may require surgical treatment to address extreme loss of vaginal tone, many patients find success with non-invasive alternatives.
At BLUSH Beverly Hills, we have extensive experience with a variety of laser treatments and work with each patient one-on-one to help them reach their goals. Reach out here to book a consultation today.