So now we are sugaring our bodies, engaging in the removal of all the hair below our eyebrows. We are ripping the hair right out of our vaginas and going on our merry way. I am always looking for ways to take better care of my skin… I mean I want to be smooth and buttery, and this includes the skin on my vagina!
The skin on your vagina is just like any other skin on your body, except it is subject to so many different conditions! It can be damp, dry, sweaty, covered with lace, not covered at all, exposed to wet bathing suits, changing temperatures, and dry or wet clothing. I mean think about what this skin goes through! So once in a while (about once or twice a month), I like to give myself an at-home vajacial…what I like to think of as the epitome of luxury and self-care. The next time you are doing a self-care day, try incorporating this into your routine. It can last anywhere between 20 and 50 minutes (depending on how boujee you want to be). Just a little tip, lay out all of your products beforehand so you can avoid running around and making a mess!
First thing’s first, we’re going to set the vibe. Salt rock lamps, candles - all the things. Make sure you have some time to yourself, no one else is allowed. Throw on your favorite Taylor Swift playlist and treat yourself like the queen you are. Pour some kombucha in a wine glass and get ready for the ultimate experience in the comfort of your own bathroom!
Step one- Cleanse
The first step of your at-home vajacial is to cleanse. I use whatever cleanser that I usually use on my face. Apply the cleanser in a circular motion and really massage it into the skin for one to two minutes. Then rinse off with a warm wet washcloth.
Exfoliate
Exfoliation is the key to beautiful younger-looking skin and is an essential part of a vajacial. I like to make my own scrub for this mixing coconut oil, honey, and sugar to form a paste. Scrub in small circles and scrub away all that dead skin. I always caution my clients to be gentle but thorough… we don’t need to be aggressive with our delicate skin. A chemical exfoliant like a gentle peptide, glycolic or salicylic mask will also work very well. Leave on for the amount of time prescribed and wipe away with another warm washcloth.
Extractions
Arguably the most satisfying part of any service is extractions! Don’t we all like popping pimples at least just a little? Now that the skin is prepped and ready with the previous two steps, your pores are open and the skin is ready to be cleaned out. Extractions help to get rid of anything that is stuck beneath the skin. Ingrown hairs and even blackheads are common on the skin around the vagina. Make sure your hands are really clean. In a treatment room, estheticians use gloves because there can be dirt and bacteria trapped under the nails, so be especially careful if you have acrylic nails! There are also tools that can assist you with this process like an extractor or tweezers.
Custom Mask
After extractions, the skin will most likely be inflamed. So now we want to treat that skin and make sure we clean it out completely. I like to use a double-mask method where first I target the bumps or discoloration or treat any other skin condition that I am concerned about. Then I go in with a soothing and calming mask afterward. Apply each mask for 10-20 minutes and remove with a warm washcloth.
Apply product
Apply a toner, serum, and moisturizer and voila! Your skin is soft, supple, and clean!
What products do I use?
I always recommend products that you are already using on your face as well as products that are fragrance-free and on the more natural side. Remember, NONE of these products go inside your vagina, only on the skin surrounding it!
You don’t need specific products that are marketed for the genital area, however, these products do exist. Drugstore products will work just fine. Look for keywords like gentle, safe, fragrance-free, or natural. Many masks can be made at home that contain powerful enzymes and are also safe for the vaginal area.
You are going to want to tailor the products to your specific skincare concerns. Two common skin care concerns in this area are ingrown hairs and hyperpigmentation. For ingrown hairs, I would recommend a clay mask and for hyperpigmentation, I would recommend products that have vitamin C.
What are the benefits?
An at-home vajacial will treat the skin on the vagina by making it smooth, calm, and hydrated. It does not treat anything inside the vagina, just the skin around it. It will get rid of bacteria, decrease the appearance of ingrown hairs and lessen discoloration from hyperpigmentation.
What are the risks?
Estheticians and dermatologists are trained to spot certain skin conditions and be able to treat them appropriately. Sometimes a person at home won’t know exactly what they are dealing with and they can make things worse. Picking at your skin carries all sorts of risks. For example, completing extractions with dirty hands can spread an infection. Picking at bumps that you think are ingrown hairs but are actually something else can cause all kinds of serious problems and exacerbate skin conditions. Remember popping a pimple will most likely leave a mark. Always error on the side of caution. If you have a stubborn bump, go and see a doctor. Seriously - it may not be what you think it is.
The bottom line is to be gentle. An at-home vajacial is about treating yourself and engaging in self-care before anything else. Remember not to let these products get inside of you, they are for the skin around the vagina ONLY.
Comment below your favorite way to relax and unwind!