The marketplace is inundated with products collectively described as “feminine hygiene”. Dermatologist Dr Vanessa Lapiner discusses whether it’s necessary to add these to the barrage of toiletries cluttering up our bathroom space- and, more importantly, whether they are a healthy choice or not.
Getting to the bottom of it
First up, let’s clarify some general anatomy. Your vagina is the inside bit running from your cervix to the outside world. Your vulva is the outer skin surrounding it with all the other parts (labia, clitoris, urethra, vaginal opening).
So straight off the bat – it’s a hard no as to whether your vagina needs special skincare products. It’s a mucosal surface, like the inside of your mouth, with a very finely balanced microbial ecosystem and pH that is easily disrupted and irritated. Douching or cleansing with fragranced cleansers upsets the happy acidic pH of your vagina, which functions best at a fairly narrow range of 3.8-4.5, so it could be a recipe for yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, irritation, itching and even pelvic inflammatory disease. Frankly, when it comes to cleansing, your vagina is like an exhausted first-time mom. It just wants to be left in peace and quiet. It already has enough to deal with, seeing that women were designed with their vaginas right next to waste disposal systems.
Pampering your Punani: the vulva.
Perhaps there are certain factors that could justify giving your vulva some attention.
Firstly, it’s hairy. If you’re embracing your au naturel state – hair oils can condition and soften those wiry, unruly locks while making you feel like a goddess. Just avoid essential oils or fragrances which can irritate the skin. If you’re waxing or shaving, then that opens another host of issues, such as razor burn or ingrown hairs. Exfoliating products can be helpful, as they contain hydrating lactic acid to prevent and treat ingrown hairs. Post-shave creams formulated for the thin and sensitive vulval skin are also acceptable.
Secondly, post-menopausal dryness and itching are definitely a thing. Our skin loves oestrogen, so as it dips, the skin thins: we call this atrophy. Atrophic skin can burn and itch. Soothing products and barrier repair creams on the vulva help, but often, topical oestrogen preparations (like Premarin cream) are necessary to bring relief. Chat with your gyne about suggestions with regard to vaginal pessaries, which can assist with additional lubrication. But if using specialised vulval creams restores your sense of self-love for your lady-garden, then by all means, indulge in nourishing your vulval skin. Just beware of formulations that are too active and stick to ones that promise good hydration. You may also want to stick to lotions for hairy areas rather than thicker creams or ointments, which could irritate hair follicles and cause folliculitis or pimples down yonder.
Thirdly, friction from underwear, tight clothing, sweat and skin-on-skin contact create a greenhouse effect with perfect humidity levels for fungal infections, which, together with barrier-disrupting sweat, cause a common issue in the nether regions called intertrigo. If your lady parts are red and itchy – try a topical antifungal cream layered with an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream and either plain zinc and castor oil or a nappy rash cream. If it’s still not settling, call your dermatologist.
The Bottom Line
Omit vulval highlighters, ‘lip’ balms, fragranced mists or wipes, vaginal sheet masks, or infrared-activated charcoal masks to “detox and soothe your vulva” -unless you’re looking for a scandalous gift, instead let it give you a giggle from afar.
In the ever-evolving world of personal wellness and self-care, one can’t help but wonder what’s next on the horizon. The wellness industry is no stranger to the unexpected, from candles that promise to smell like your vagina to the enigmatic yet unexplored realm of testicular skincare. With trends like these, it’s clear that when it comes to self-care, there’s always room for a curveball or two. But when it comes to your lady parts, I would pussyfoot around those products.
MBChB, MSc Med (Cell Biology), FC Derm (SA).
Dr Vanessa Lapineris a dermatologist based in Cape Town with key interests in integrative dermatology, mole mapping and dermo-cosmetology.Her research interests include pigmentation disorders, the gut: brain: skin axis, nutrition as a therapeutic tool in dermatologic disease management,healthy skin metabolomicsand cosmeceutical formulation technologies. She is the founder of TASH360, South Africa’s first integrative dermatology centre offering cutting-edge technologies and advanced diagnostic testing, as well as root4:high-performance, results-driven skincare and nutraceuticals marrying advanced science and safety. She is an active member of the DSSA, the SASDS,the VSSA and the Xeroderma Pigmentosum Society.
Click here to get an online consultation with Dr Vanessa Lapiner via the Dr. Derma Platform, Africa's LargestOnline Dermatology Provider.
- Dr Vanessa Lapinerhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-vanessa-lapiner
- Dr Vanessa Lapinerhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-vanessa-lapiner
- Dr Vanessa Lapinerhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-vanessa-lapiner
- Dr Vanessa Lapinerhttps://www.aestheticappointment.co.za/author/dr-vanessa-lapiner
