High Tech for aesthetics
Radiofrequency, CO2 laser, carboxytherapy, hyaluronic acid are high-tech, low-impact solutions to improve vulvar aesthetics.
Laser a CO2
Indications
dryness, incontinence, laxity, pain
Procedure
20 minutes
Complications
rare
Postoperative Pain
no
Recovery
immediate
Radio frequency
Indications
laxity
Procedure
20 minutes
Postoperative Pain
no
Complications
rare
Recovery
immediate
Carboxytherapy
Indications
dryness
Procedure
20 minutes
Complications
rare
Postoperative Pain
no
Recovery
immediate
Hyaluronic acid
Indications
aging, low volumes, dryness
Procedure
20 minutes
Postoperative Pain
no
Complication
rare
Recovery
immediate
The CO2 Laser
Normal biological processes such as childbirth, hormonal dysfunctions related to aging and weight changes can create damage to tissue collagen by altering the tone and thickness of the mucosa in the vaginal wall and weakening the pelvic floor muscles which, among all the functions, also have that support of the pelvic organs. These anatomical changes often lead to symptoms that negatively impact women’s quality of life, preventing them from leading a normal life.
Vaginal dryness and infections:
These are common issues during the pre and postmenopausal period and are often linked to the atrophy or hypotrophy of tissues such as the vaginal mucosa and the introitus of the vagina, which is the area where painful symptoms often occur during sexual activity. CO2 laser treatment stimulates the vaginal mucosa, improving lubrication and normalizing pH, thus reducing the bothersome array of symptoms typical of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), such as burning, dryness, itching, and pain. The mucosa, somewhat repaired in its functions and appearance, is less exposed to recurrent infections and microabrasions, typical of an atrophic mucosa.
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI):
It is a form of urinary incontinence in which the involuntary loss of urine occurs due to intra-abdominal pressure. It is a common symptom in women who have had multiple vaginal childbirths because normal bladder functions are controlled by the bladder itself, sphincters, and pelvic floor muscles. The normal aging process leads to atrophy and weakening of tissues, including the mucosa and pelvic floor muscles. When all of this is associated with natural childbirth, involuntary urine leakage can occur, such as after sneezing or coughing, or simply lifting weights. CO2 laser treatment involves point-wise microablation associated with a good thermal effect that stimulates the formation of new collagen and contracts elastic fibers. This results in a slight increase in the thickness of the vaginal walls, providing new support to the urethra, which is adjacent to the anterior wall of the vagina. The result of this treatment is the more or less stable reduction of mild SUI symptoms over time.
Vaginal tightening:
it is a condition in which the vagina and pelvic structures may have lost their tone and resistance and therefore have undergone real relaxation, causing dissatisfaction during sexual intercourse. The CO2 laser treatment, acting directly on the mucosa of the vaginal walls, improves the sensitivity of the tissue and strengthens the walls through the regeneration of collagen: the result is an improvement in sexual gratification.
How a vaginal CO2 laser session works
The treatment is outpatient and lasts a few minutes, very well tolerated by patients. The laser energy is generated through a holographic lens that creates 81 microchannels in a 9×9 grid. These columns penetrate deep into the submucosa, keeping the surrounding tissue intact and allowing for faster healing. The treatment is performed using a disposable probe inserted into the vagina, which rotates 360°, covering the entire vaginal wall and ensuring safety and hygiene. Two weeks after the treatment, the micro-ablative process stimulates the formation of new collagen, completely regenerating the vaginal wall. It is recommended to abstain from sexual activity for about a week, but other normal daily activities can be resumed immediately.
Carboxytherapy
Carboxytherapy is a method which consists in the subcutaneous administration, after disinfection of the skin, using very thin needles (30 G), of medical carbon dioxide. For this purpose, equipment is used whose safety is certified by the Ministry of Health; the infusion system and needles are disposable and the medical gas is sterile. Even though it does not require any type of anesthesia and is minimally invasive, the treatment must always be performed by a doctor. The treatment is safe, does not present any type of toxicity (CO₂ is normally produced during breathing, the gas is the one used in surgical operations performed with the laparoscopic method) and only fleeting side effects are to be reported. In particular, the use of a needle, even a very thin one, makes it possible for bruising to occur at the injection site. In any case, this occurrence is very rare (5% of treatments performed) and the bruising disappears in a few days without leaving any sign. In the areas of gas infusion, it is possible to feel a crackling sensation under the skin with the fingers (“fresh snow” effect) which disappears after the first minutes of the treatment. With the use of certified equipment there is absolutely no risk of embolism even if you accidentally cannulate and inject CO2 directly into a blood vessel. The Co₂ is disposed of in a completely natural way and in a short time at the end of the treatment.
Indications
The insufflation of CO2 in the vulvar area exploits the Bohr effect, inducing tissue hyperoxygenation that improves the trophism of the entire area and a delicate effect of tissue distension on receptors for mechanical distension, resulting in stimulation of new collagen production.
Indications: • Vulvar Cutaneous Hypotrophy (aged appearance of the labia majora) • Mucosal Vulvo-vaginal Hypotrophy (dryness, itching, vulvo-vaginal discomfort)
Treatment
The insufflation of CO2 in the vulvar area exploits the Bohr effect, inducing tissue hyperoxygenation that improves the trophism of the entire area and a delicate effect of tissue distension on receptors for mechanical distension, resulting in stimulation of new collagen production.
Indications: • Vulvar Cutaneous Hypotrophy (aged appearance of the labia majora) • Mucosal Vulvo-vaginal Hypotrophy (dryness, itching, vulvo-vaginal discomfort)
Side effects
It is possible that small ecchymoses (bruises) appear in the area of the injection which resolve spontaneously.
Contraindications to treatment
Carboxytherapy is not generally used, and in exceptional cases, it is avoided in the presence of severe respiratory insufficiency, severe renal failure, severe heart failure, treatment with acetazolamide, diclofenamide, or other carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, severe anemia, severe hepatic insufficiency, severe hypertension, prior cerebral stroke, tachyarrhythmias, arterial thrombosis, phlebitis, thrombophlebitis, embolism, gas gangrene, and during pregnancy
radio frequency
The technique is based on dynamic quadripolar radiofrequency. Its goal is to address many gynecological issues, both aesthetic and functional, by stimulating a regenerative response in the tissues where needed.
How it works
When the dynamic quadripolar RDF reaches the tissues, the selective heating produced induces a series of beneficial reactions:
• improves microcirculation at tissue level
• increases the hydration of the delicate mucosa, reducing the vulvovaginal atrophy common to almost all menopausal women and responsible for dryness, burning, itching and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
• stimulates the natural production of collagen, a fundamental substance which has, among other functions, that of regulating the quantity of water present in the skin, restoring elasticity and firmness to the vulvar area and vaginal canal
• reduces vulvar and vestibular pain, improving quality of life
• counteracts mild stress urinary incontinence
• improves tissue trophism, i.e. oxygenation and nourishment at a local level, with positive aesthetic and functional repercussions in the treated area
• exerts a lifting effect, making the tissues more turgid and elastic, giving a younger appearance at the vulvar level and a feeling of greater tone at the introital level.
A typical session
Before starting a treatment cycle, a thorough gynecological examination is necessary, also aimed at excluding that gynecological issues have a ‘pathological’ origin (for example, acute vaginitis or cystitis). Once specific causes requiring pharmacological treatments or other suitable therapies are ruled out, the doctor establishes the protocol.
The session consists of: • Vulvar level – the application of a thin layer of gel and the use of a manipulator that is gently moved with rotating motions over the entire area of the labia majora, for only 10 minutes. • Vaginal level – introducing a biocompatible manipulator into the vagina, which conveys electromagnetic waves. The entire process takes no more than 20 minutes.
Sometimes, both treatments are not necessary; it depends on the case and the indication for the treatment. The dynamic quadripolar radiofrequency treatment is very pleasant, giving a sensation of mild warmth, never becoming excessive, as the equipment is equipped with a temperature detector and motion sensor. The treatment has no side effects, leaving no aftermath, to the point that the protocol does not include recovery times. After the treatment, you can resume all normal daily activities and immediately return to your sexual life: the treated tissue is completely unharmed, showing no signs of trauma.