Physical changes of ageing that happen to our body can also happen to our vaginal area. Although it is not something that we may discuss with friends over brunch, it is something that we need to be aware of. As a part of our physical well-being from going through the natural processes of life – pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause – taking care of the most intimate part of you can help to bring you the quality of life that you want and deserve. Laser vaginal tightening, or laser vaginal rejuvenation, is a procedure that helps to restore elasticity in the vaginal muscle walls. This article will help you understand what laser vaginal rejuvenation is, its benefits, and how much it costs if you are considering this procedure for your health!
In a report by Grand View Research, Inc the global vaginal rejuvenation market size is expected to reach USD 11.8 billion by 2026! While nowhere close to the anti-ageing market, this is considered pretty big growth for a treatment that has only begun to achieve popularity in the past 10 years. From a jump of 3.9% to 28.97% from 2012 to 2015, the choice of aesthetic vaginal procedures has increased along with advancements in technology.
Vaginal rejuvenation is any form of treatment that is often proposed to women who feel a sensation of a ‘wide’ or ‘loose’ vagina (vaginal laxity) due to vaginal delivery or ageing, in order to enhance the vaginal tone and sexual friction. It is a range of procedures performed by gynaecologists or doctors in the cosmetic and aesthetic field to decrease the average diameter of the vagina, mainly for sexual and genitourinary reasons.
Because vaginal laxity is not a life-threatening medical condition, there is unfortunately no standardised definition of vaginal laxity or guidelines for diagnosis and treatment! This is despite studies showing:
87% of surveyed physicians report that vaginal laxity is under-reported in their patients and that 95% of them believe that vaginal laxity affects sexual function and that
28% to 40% of surveyed females in two studies (1, 2) who frequented urogynaecology clinics suffer from vaginal laxity that negatively impacts their quality of life.
Vaginal tightening treatments would benefit those who feel that their body has undergone changes causing vaginal laxity, and who are bothered by it as it is affecting their quality of life and impacting relationship happiness.
Laser vagina tightening treatments often work in a variety of ways. Traditionally, physical therapy is prescribed to those who experience the physical sensations of vaginal laxity, with Kegel’s exercises being given. However, these exercises have been shown to have limited efficiency due to poor patient compliance. The reduced feedback available during those exercises makes it difficult for individuals to understand if they are performing the exercises correctly or not.
Currently, there are laser vaginal tightening devices that have been proven to be effective in improving vaginal laxity. One of them is the Fotona IntimaLase laser for vaginal tightening. This laser is an Er: YAG laser that uses photothermal energy to thermally affect the vaginal tissue. This heat energy goes deep into the vaginal tissues to stimulate collagen remodelling and synthesis of new fibres in the genital mucosa and fascia. The final result of the tissue regeneration is a tightening of the vaginal canal. This procedure avoids the complications that are present with any surgical vaginal tightening methods.
Some research on this Fotona Er: YAG laser shows that:
∙ Vaginal biopsy specimens after treatment showed increased collagen and elastin synthesis, an increase in blood capillary density, and thickness of the epithelial layer,
∙ There was an increase in the quantity and activity of fibroblasts, which hold up tissue tensile strength, and connective tissues.
There are several benefits of laser vaginal tightening procedures.
Changes in a woman’s vagina occur when physical changes happen with age. Whether the vaginal laxity you are experiencing is due to ageing, childbearing, or hormonal factors, laser vaginal rejuvenation can be suited to your needs.
As we are familiar with the skin sagging that occurs from the natural loss of collagen and elastin in the body, the same naturally occurring loss of elasticity can also happen in the genital area and vaginal lining. Hence, these changes to the muscle tone contribute to changes in a woman’s vagina. Vaginal rejuvenation helps to restore this feeling of tightness again.
While laser pulses are primarily delivered to the internal vaginal tissues through the use of a speculum (a plastic cylinder that helps open up the vaginal canal) followed by the laser probe, it can also be used on the external parts of the vagina. This can help to tone up the surrounding genital region as well.
There is shown to be an improved sexual gratification in up to 81.8% of women according to a study by Pardo et al. In this study of 42 women, only mild pain during the procedure was reported as an adverse side effect. That study is also supported by another study from Tien et al. which reported that the 28 women involved showed significant improvements in female sexual desire and function.
In the study by Tien et al. mentioned above, 40% of the partners of these patients also felt that their sexual function had improved at 6 months post-procedure. In a study by Gaviria et al., Fotona Intimalase laser therapy resulted in a significant improvement of the vaginal tightness in 95% of women. Better sexual gratification was also reported after the treatment and 85% of their partners reported a significant improvement.
The severity of urine leakage decreased significantly in women suffering from urinary incontinence in a study by Gaspar et al., supported by other studies which range from 38.1% to 77% of women experiencing stress urinary incontinence (1, 2). Similar results were obtained in a 3-year follow up study by Gaviria et al.
The cost of laser vaginal tightening treatments will start from $1000+ per session as it includes a pap smear to ensure that you are safe for treatment. The cost for tightening the vaginal walls on its own is priced from $250+ onwards. At SL Aesthetic Clinic, our friendly doctors are ready to clarify your concerns if you are unsure whether you will be a good candidate for the Fotona IntimaLase procedure. Feel free to reach out to us and see how vaginal tightening can benefit your quality of life!
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