Q. What is Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation® (LVR® )?
A. Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation is a safe one-hour bloodless outpatient surgery procedure designed to treat vaginal relaxation with the use of a laser.
Q. Why do women experience vaginal relaxation?
A. As a woman’s body experiences childbirth and natural aging process, the muscles, fascia and ligaments separate due to the trauma of childbirth and may be weakened by the pressure. This causes the pelvic organs composed of the vagina, uterus, and bladder and rectum to drop from their natural positions.
Q. Is vaginal relaxation seen only in those who have given birth?
A. Vaginal relaxation is also not exclusive to women who have given birth. Women who have inherited weakness of the supporting tissues, those who have experienced unusual strain from chronic coughing or have suffered obesity, may be candidates of relaxed vaginal tissues.
Q. What about Designer Laser Vaginoplasty® (DLV®)?
A. DLV is a group of aesthetic enhancement procedures of the vulvar structures. Many women are embarrassed with the appearance of their external genitalia which are more often than not the result of childbirth, trauma, aging or hereditary characteristics.
Q. What preparations do your patients undergo before the procedure?
A. A comprehensive consultation is required to screen and educate the patients so that a decision is made as to whether the procedure is right for them. If so, an operative plan specifically designed to meet their individual needs follows. Patients are given an overview of the risks and complications and advised to undergo a thorough medical clearance prior to the procedure.
Q. How long will it take to heal and recover?
A. The patient will fully recover in six weeks but most patients feel good enough to go back to work within seven days.
Q. How does Temperature-Controlled Radio Frequency (TCRF) Treatment work?
A. The TCRF energy or heat is delivered deeply into the tissues using a delicately designed handpiece. The warm heat massages the area being treated. The TCRF helps to immediately tighten the skin and stimulate new and tighter collagen remodeling. This increases blood flow to the labia and clitoris thereby increasing sensitivity and helping to improve orgasmic potential. The vaginal mucosal tightens and thickens resulting in improved lubrication and friction during intercourse.
Q. Who is a candidate for TCRF?
A. Anyone who seeks:
- Relief from physical discomfort of stretched or enlarged labia
- To enhance sexual confidence in appearance and satisfaction
- Relief from embarrassing urine leakage issues due to incontinence
- To increase vaginal lubrication
Q. Where is the treatment performed? How long does it take?
A. TCRF treatment is performed in Dr. Annebelle Aherrera’ s office in a private, comfortable patient room. We respect the privacy and intimacy of the procedure and only Dr. Aherrera and an assistant will be present during the treatment. Overall, the procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Approximately 10 minutes for labia majora reduction and 15 to 20 minutes for vaginal tightening. Three treatments based a month apart is recommended with a yearly maintenance treatment.
Q. What preparation is required for the treatment?
A. The treatment is basically a warm comfortable massage to the genital area. There is no need for anesthesia or premedication. Shaving or waxing several days before the treatment.
Q. What can patients expect after the TCRF treatment?
A. Since there are no side effects and no downtime after the vaginal rejuvenation treatment, patients can resume their normal activities. This includes exercise and sexual intercourse.
Q. How long do the results lasts?
A. An average of 9 to 12 months. Once yearly maintenance treatments are recommended to maintain the vaginal rejuvenation results. Patients do not need to repeat the series. This is intended to be a one- time yearly treatment at a reduced cost.