This is personal: Do you need cosmetics for intimate hygiene?
Text: Daria Burkova
This summer, the Danish brand of cosmetics for intimate hygiene The Perfect V released a highlighter for the vulva, which illuminates the skin of the intimate area and at the same time cares for it. For a long time, few people thought about special care for the delicate area, and only separate cleaning products for this zone were included in wide use. Meanwhile, more and more cosmetic brands began to produce special cosmetics for the vulva - this term means the entire area of the skin from the anus to the pubis. There are even special anti-aging remedies, and in beauty salons and clinics of aesthetic medicine the procedures for "rejuvenation" of the intimate area are gaining popularity.
Together with the gynecologist-endocrinologist of the Center for Contemporary Cosmetology Yulia Shcherbatova, Irina Shevtsova, and the dermatocosmetologist of the beauty studio TEVOLI Victoria Sokolova, we learned what kind of care is actually needed in the intimate area, what can be done with the skin of the vulva without fear, which epilation methods have the most negative effect on the appearance of the genital lips and whether it is possible to dye pubic hair.
What you need vulva
As often happens, everything is easier than it seems. The skin of the vulva is unpretentious in the care and does not require a large arsenal of caring means. All you need is to use a special tool for intimate hygiene while taking a shower. The pH level of such products - these can be gels, foams, milk and washing creams - has already been selected to meet the needs of this area, which means you don’t have to wrestle once more whether the vulva will be satisfied with your choice of purification. In most cases, such products contain lactic acid, which additionally moisturizes the skin and prevents hair ingrowth. In this case, doctors agree that you should not use regular toilet soap or shower gel, if there is no special means, in this case it is better to just clean the vulva with water. The vagina is self-sufficient in care (nature has told the genitals to take care of themselves, you never know), so you should stick to the rule "nothing is better than something." In case of irritation after depilation or due to uncomfortable underwear, the zone can be treated with non-alcohol antiseptics. For example, "Miramistinom". “It’s unnecessary, in my opinion, to apply everything else,” Irina Shevtsova is sure.
Special needs
Unfortunately, the skin of the vulva (and in particular the pubis), like any other part of the body, is not immune from unwanted problems. Due to shaving, microtraumas appear on it, folliculitis may appear after unsuccessful waxing, taking certain medications leads to dry skin, incorrect choice of underwear leads to diaper rash, health problems, for example, reduced immunity and high sugar levels to external candidiasis. “Each problem must be solved in its own way, and definitely not on its own. Due to the presence of mucous membrane in this area, infection or inflammation can spread instantly and lead to serious consequences. So, if you notice problems, go to a gynecologist sooner,” - says Irina Shevtsova.
We would like to say that doctors are intimidating, and constant irritation after shaving is normal, but the discomfort in the genital area has not improved anyone's life, so it would be good to deal with this under the supervision of a professional gynecologist. A waxing epilation master or aesthetist cosmetologist is not your friend in the subject of intimate care.
Special requests
Gynecologists are faced with the complaints of patients on the appearance of the vulva. "This is not very often - and mostly among the wealthier patients," says Irina Shevtsova. With age, the skin of the vulva, like the skin on other surfaces of the body, becomes more pigmented, loses its tone and elasticity. Someone seems undesirable and the asymmetry of the labia minora or the lack of volume of the labia majora and clitoris. In this case, laser procedures, hyaluronic acid fillers and surgeries are offered.
“I treat such requests normally,” says Irina Shevtsova, a gynecologist and endocrinologist. “Asymmetry can be not only a matter of aesthetic preferences, but also bring real discomfort during physical exertion and walking. As for pigmentation and lack of volume, like non-acceptance of any other features his appearance, most often this problem is psychological, and whether or not it is up to the patient and his psychotherapist to solve it. " The problem of pigmentation of the skin of the vulva and anus is not only worried about porn actresses. Bleaching procedure can only be carried out correctly by a gynecologist. “If there is a choice to do or not to do the procedure for whitening intimate zones, then I’m in favor of not doing it. There is always a small, but the risk of getting burns, problems with regeneration and melanogenesis. But ultimately it is a personal matter of each patient”, - considers Victoria Sokolova.
About creams, highlighters and hair coloring
Doctors advise to use in the area of the vulva only specialized cosmetics, which in case of contact with the mucosa will not cause irritation. Moisturizing serums, creams with a lifting effect, lotions with a shine effect - all this is no longer a fantasy, but a real assortment of cosmetics for the intimate zone, presented in stores. There is also a separate segment of products for preparing for childbirth and for increasing the elasticity of the skin. However, only on the pubis you can (of course, carefully) use the same products as for the face and body. The only exception is nourishing creams. "They can cause the growth of pathogenic microflora," explains Victoria Sokolova. As for the highlighter, blush and foundation, the use of conventional makeup products in the intimate area is strictly not recommended. Of course, the pubis will not harm them, but the ingress of funds on the mucous membrane can provoke problems, including serious swelling, chemical burns and inflammation. Alas, but to highlight the skin, if such a need exists, you really have to use a special highlighter.
At the same time, doctors treat the pubic hair coloring more favorably. The main thing is to do it in the salon and with the help of special dyes for delicate zones. Experts also have their own opinion about hair removal - not all methods are equally good for the skin of the vulva. The most traumatic option is wax depilation: wax stretches the skin, injures the follicles, its use on sensitive areas of the body can lead to ingrown hairs and burns. Gynecologists also do not favor a razor: microtrauma will not only not beautify the skin, but may also lead to diseases with a poor level of hygiene. Those for whom smooth skin is the key to a good mood, experts advise making a choice in favor of laser or photo-epilation, and the best option in order to preserve the beauty of the skin of the vulva is simply to leave the hair alone. "The safest way of hair removal for the skin is a short trimmer cut," says Irina Shevtsova.
Photo: SMNovella, The Perfect V, Weleda, Sesderma, Sanareva