Solve Skin Concerns Everywhere

The Benefits of a Vajacial

Beauty Hub Magazine interview with Board Certified Gynecologist/ OBGYN Dr. Arumula 

What are the benefits of a vajacial? What concerns can benefit most? 

A vajacial provides the mons pubis and bikini line with post-care love after hair removal. It immediately helps cool/soothes skin after shaving/epilation and improves the look of ingrown hairs and the redness from razor burns. Your skin will look rejuvenated and hydrated. Concerns that can benefit the most include; bumpy skin, dryness, dullness, razor burn, and ingrown hairs.

How would you recommend someone conduct a vajacial at home? 

 A simple or basic home vajacial can be done in a few steps. 

1. While showering, gently cleanse the mons pubis and bikini line area with a pH Balanced Body Wash.
2. Exfoliate your bikini line with an Ingrown Hair Exfoliating Body Scrub.
3. Remove body hair (optional).
4. Apply a hydrogel vajacial mask for 10 minutes. Relax on your bed or couch.
5. Apply a soothing bikini line oil. 

What’s the difference between an at-home vajacial and a professional grade one? 

If you are receiving a vajacial at your local waxing salon, you will likely experience more steps, such as hair removal, steaming, extractions, and even LED light therapy, all of which would be done by a professional esthetician. For an at-home vajacial, some of these steps are often unavailable or require a professional, but you can still experience similar results and relief with take-home products. 

Do you think there’s historically been shame around discussing vaginas?

To date, there is very little formal education in school and/or parental guidance at home on the female genitalia, sexuality, or reproductive physiology. In my opinion, this is firmly rooted in a largely male-centric society that is reinforced in cultural, religious, and social norms. Young girls are indoctrinated with shame when it concerns their periods, sexual urges, and pubertal development while boys are encouraged to explore. Given that women are endowed with the responsibility of childbearing, it may seem logical to control the population by controlling the sexual activities of women. Consequently, the more shame and ignorance around the sexual conduit one has, the easier it is to achieve this end.

Please share a few words on the greater trend of openness around the topic of vaginal health. Why do you think we’re moving more toward this direction, and why is it important that we do so?

As a gynecologist, I am pleasantly excited about improving education and discussions around vaginal health. Our society is getting more progressive as individuals with vaginas are financially empowered. With the ability to independently provide for one’s self, there is less control over what women can and can’t do. It is important that the conversations around vaginal health continue to increase because from infections to neoplasms to cancers, the female reproductive system can host diseases and conditions that can fundamentally affect one’s quality and length of life

What is the “vajacial,” exactly? I’m assuming there are variations on it, but what’s the gist? (For example, Bushbalm’s new Hydrogel Vajacial Mask). 

Vajacials are analogous to facials as a series of steps that treat the skin around the vagina. It in fact is a misnomer because the vagina is not involved in the ritual. Instead, the hair-bearing areas of the mons pubis and labia majora are in fact the focus of the treatments. These include cleansing, exfoliating, hair removal techniques, masks, energy treatments such as radiofrequency or laser, serums, and moisturizers. These can be done at home, at a spa, or at a med spa. Some users employ similar products that are used in facials. Others use specific products created for the skin around the vagina such as Bushbalm’s Hydrogel Vajacial Mask.

What are the benefits of a vajacial? Does it help physically, or is it more of a self-care thing?

There are physical and emotional benefits of a vajacial. The skin around the vagina has been long neglected as there is hair surrounding the area. Women are encouraged to preserve the hair as it is protective of the vagina. Modern women may opt to remove this hair thus the skin is exposed and needs specialized care. Vajacials provide a means to care for the hair-bearing areas around the genitalia.

Many individuals who adopt vajacials report self-care emotional benefits for caring for their most intimate areas. As women, we spend a lot of time caring for everyone else. Vajacials allow time for us to care specifically for ourselves.

Step by step, how can you complete your own vajacial? Any pro tips for a better experience?

I tend to perform my vajacials at the same time I do my biweekly intense self-care ritual that includes a facial, massage, and other self-care steps.  Coupling my facial with my vajacial saves me time as the masks and other intense treatments sit on my skin for the same period of time.

• My Steps include 
  • Cleanse: Bushbalm Spa Day All Over Feminine Wash
  • Hair removal: Bushbalm Francesca trimmer
  • Exfoliating: Bushbalm Pina Colada Dark Spot Exfoliating Scrub 
  • Self Vula Check: hold up a mirror to examine the skin around my vagina. A self vulva check allows me to see if there are any lesions such as pseudofolliculitis (ingrown hair) or if something more sinister may be present
  • Nourish: Bushbalm Vajacial Triangle Mask
  • Soothing: Bushbalm Pina Colada Dark Spot Oil

Anything else you’d like to add?

If you do have a medical condition like hiddradenitis suppurativa, herpes simplex virus, lichen simplex chronicus, condylomata etc, do not perform vajacials. Instead, discuss a proper management plan with your physician. 

If you are unsure where to start, consult with a vajacial esthetician.