healthmedicinet

There’s plenty you can do to keep your skin in tip-top shape, like using an anti-aging cream before bed to getting facials every few months. But have you ever thought about primping your lady parts? Whether you’re steaming it with herbs or injecting it with your own blood, there are quite a few kooky-sounding treatments that claim to make your va-jay-jay look and feel “better” (whatever that means). But could some of these actually do more harm than good? Here’s the low-down on what works and what’s totally cray.
 

What it is: The V-Steam, offered at Tikkun Spa in Santa Monica, California, uses Mugwort leaves, popular in Eastern medicine, to cleanse the outer area of the vagina. The spa claims that the treatment does everything from improve uterine health by stimulating hormones to clear up acne to fight infections. Naturally, Gwyneth Paltrow is a fan, writing on her lifestyle website Goop that the V-Steam “is an energetic release—not just a steam douche—that balances female hormone levels.”

What docs say: “It’s absolutely crazy—it doesn’t do anything to your hormone levels,” says Lauren Streicher, M.D., the author of Sex Rx: Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever, who explains that it’s important to note that when women talk about doing things to their vagina, they almost always mean the vulva—the skin outside the vagina. “You would never put high pressure steam in your vagina—that would be completely dangerous.”

What’s more, you could actually burn yourself and cause serious damage to your vulva since this skin is very sensitive. “Think about the analogy of opening a bag of microwave popcorn,” says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., co-author of V is for Vagina. “You could burn your hand because the steam comes out so forcefully.”

RELATED: 3 Reasons You Definitely Shouldn’t Get Your Vagina Steamed
 

What it is: Invented by Charles Runels, M.D., (the same guy that created the Vampire Facial), this procedure is performed by having your own blood platelets injected into your vaginal tissue. This supposedly stimulates tissue in areas like the G-spot to help increase the likelihood of orgasming during sex. 

What docs say: “It’s ridiculous, it’s expensive, and [the result] doesn’t last,” says Streicher. “There’s absolutely no science behind it—it falls into the category of things that I don’t recommend [to women].” Not to mention, if a shot in the arm hurts, can you imagine how painful this must be?
 

What it is: If you’re a regular bikini waxer, you’ve probably experienced your fair share of ingrown hairs and skin irritation. That’s why Stript Wax Bar in San Francisco added a “vajacial,” a facial for your vagina, to its menu in 2010. And in New York City, Haven Spa has its own version called “Peach Smoothie,” during which an esthetician will apply an exfoliating alpha hydroxy acid scrub to the vulva area and follow that up with an acid peel get rid of ingrown hairs.

What docs say: “I caution women against putting anything on their vulva,” says Streicher. “Plain water or mild soap and water are all that you need to use.” If someone has an issue like irritation, dryness, or odor, she should see her doctor.
 

What it is: You’ve heard of vajazzling—decorating the vulva with little crystals—and now you can add temporary tattoos to the list of ways ladies are getting creative down there.

What docs say: The under-your-undies bling is probably not worth the pain. “When it comes to vajazzling and va-tattooing, most of this requires a Brazilian wax where all the hair is removed,” says Dweck, “so you’re going to see razor burn or a possible infection or reaction to the wax.”
 

What it is: Gynos recommend this form of physical therapy to women who have incontinence issues, pain during sex, or loose muscles that may have been caused by childbirth. One of the most popular forms of pelvic floor therapy is kegel exercises, but there are other, stranger-sounding forms of therapy that include using weights inside your vagina and the InTone, a device that promises to help strengthen pelvic muscles.

What docs say: “[Doing] kegel exercises or working with a pelvic-floor physical therapist can be very helpful to build the strength of these muscles and to help with incontinence,” says Dweck. “A lot of women also find that it’s helpful with orgasm and sexual function due to the strengthening of the muscles and being able to have a better grip on your partner if your partner’s male.” Dweck recommends women do 20 to 30 kegel exercises throughout the day.

Since pelvic-floor therapy is mostly available at major medical centers and not an option for all women, Streicher also likes Intone, which she says is designed to do what a physical therapist would do. However, she cautions against using vaginal balls or weights. “Many of these products have never been tested in clinical trials,” she says.

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