Do you know what a vajacial is? Well, I didn’t until researching this blog. But my 20s something staff knew all about it. When you think skincare, most people think of their face routine or what lotion they use to moisturize their body. But what about skincare down there? Most of us probably haven’t thought about it due to embarrassment or the thought that it’s too sensitive and better if left alone. What’s interesting is that men typically know how to clean their penises, but women often are not taught how to clean and care for their vulvar skin.
Now some of you might even be wondering what’s the vulva or vulvar skin? It’s not a word used a lot. Most people know the vagina but don’t realize that the vagina refers to the internal tunnel that connects your uterus to the outside of your body. The vulva is more encompassing and refers to the external female genitalia, which includes the vaginal opening. The vulva also includes the mons pubis (mound of skin over top your pubic bone), outer lips (labia majora), inner lips (labia minora), clitoris, and the urethral opening (where urine comes out). Vulvar skin has two types of skin, non-mucosal skin which is the mons pubis and the labia majora. Vulvar non-mucosal skin is similar to the skin that is on our face and arms. The other type is mucosal skin, or the wet skin of the labia minora and area where the clitoris, vaginal opening and urethra are. Vulvar mucosal skin is like the skin inside our mouths.
Now it’s true that vulvar skin can be more sensitive, and most women might not need a vulvar skin routine but if you want one, there are some tips to follow. It’s generally safe to use a gentle cleanser to wash vulvar skin. Avoid using harsh antibacterial soaps and washing inside the vagina. The vulva and vagina are home to millions of microbes such as bacteria and yeast and it’s important for these microbes to stay in balance for overall health. Emollients can be used to moisturize vulvar skin as well. Vulvar skin can also be irritated by everyday products like panty liners, soaps, cleansing wipes and deodorants. Try to avoid irritants like these and wear white cotton underwear if you are more sensitive.
Vulvar skin can be prone to a variety of skin conditions, like psoriasis or atopic dermatitis which affect the non-mucosal skin and less known conditions like lichen sclerosis which affect the mucosal skin. Some skin issues like dryness or allergic contact dermatitis, can affect both types of skin. If you’ve shaved or waxed before, you might have experienced those itchy pimple-like bumps called folliculitis. And the topper–your vaginal skin ages like skin everywhere else. For all these conditions and others, treatment does exist. From OTCs to prescription medications to in-office procedures, there are options to address vulvar skin, like the vajacial that I now know about, but have yet to have. More to come on that.
Trotter’s Take: Don’t be afraid to talk about vulvar skin care and even if you weren’t taught how to take care of it, it’s never too late to learn.
Ready to get vulvar skin care tips? Listen in with Dr. Elizabeth Muennich as we talk about skincare down there.
