Vaginal Rejuvenation
Hormonal changes, aging, pregnancy, and other life events inevitably bring about changes in a woman's body. While it can be tough to talk about some of these changes, preserving your sense of personal confidence and your sense of sexual enjoyment is important. Nonsurgical vaginal rejuvenation and surgical labiaplasty are available to Nashville-area women with the sensitive, highly trained staff of Tierney Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.
Understanding the Feminine Anatomy
The female genitalia are as delicate as they are complex, and, like other parts of a woman's body, the structures of the vulva undergo many changes throughout life. In order to understand your options for rejuvenating this area, it's a good idea to be familiar with the nuances of its anatomy.
What Can Be Improved?
One of the most common concerns related to both the aesthetics and function of this area of the body is enlarged, misshapen, or stretched labia minora. These are the smaller "inner lips" that frame the vaginal opening. While they naturally come in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors, some women may feel self-conscious about the way theirs look or even how they feel during sex and physical activities such as cycling. The labia minora can be easily adjusted through both surgical and nonsurgical intervention.
The vaginal canal and its associated structures can also be improved. After childbirth or simply as the result of aging, many women experience diminished sexual enjoyment and even occasional incontinence as a result of atrophy in the vaginal walls.
Occasionally, the labia majora (the outer lips) and the tissue around the clitoris can be tightened or contoured nonsurgically as well.
ThermiVa®
ThermiVa is Dr. Tierney's preferred option for feminine rejuvenation thanks to its measurable results and virtually nonexistent downtime. Many of Dr. Tierney's patients may already be familiar with the technology used in this approach thanks to ThermiRF™, a radiofrequency treatment that tightens the skin around the lower face and jawline. ThermiVa uses that same directed radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen development and tighten the vaginal and vulvar tissues.
Your ThermiVa treatment is administered right here in our office by one of our highly trained nurses. She will use the sterile handpiece to deliver radiofrequency energy according to the areas you wish to treat. For example, if your primary concern is the appearance of your labia minora, your practitioner moves the handpiece around this area. If you'd like to improve the tone of your vaginal walls, your practitioner gently inserts the handpiece to target this area. In any case, you'll feel a slight sensation of warmth. ThermiVa is not a painful procedure and doesn't require any anesthesia or downtime.
Labiaplasty
For some patients, surgical labiaplasty is a more appropriate option. Performed by Dr. Tierney, a board-certified plastic surgeon, labiaplasty is a relatively minor procedure that permanently reduces excess tissue of the labia minora. Performed with local anesthesia, Dr. Tierney meticulously removes tissue based on your own specifications, taking care to preserve sensation and make clean incisions that heal well.
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure, so you'll be free to return home afterward with the assistance of a friend or family member. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and other light activities in under a week, although it's best to wait about 6 weeks before resuming sexual activity and strenuous exercise.
Your Unique Results
ThermiVa does not yield permanent results, but they can be quite long lasting. In the days and weeks following your treatment, your treated tissues begin to respond to treatment, producing more of their own collagen and gradually constricting and tightening. For the best results possible, we typically recommend a series of 3 treatments, spaced 1 month apart, followed by annual "touch-ups" as needed.
We believe that every woman should feel her best from head to toe. To get started planning your own personal rejuvenation today, request a consultation online, or call the helpful staff at Tierney Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at (615) 320-8585 to set up your appointment.