Vaginal dryness is a common issue among women beyond a certain age, especially as the body stops producing as much collagen. This matters because collagen helps hold the skin together and keeps moisture in.
It is one of the many reasons why roughly 50 percent of women during menopause experience vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse.
MonaLisa Touch treatments are a popular choice to address this issue, using the power of a laser to trigger new collagen production. If you’re planning to get this treatment, it’s important to understand exactly what to expect. This blog will offer some insight into the procedure.
What Is the MonaLisa Touch Treatment?
MonaLisa Touch is a minimally invasive laser treatment that uses a fractional CO2 laser to stimulate tissue regeneration. It uses a special type of energy for the inside walls of the vagina. It helps with dryness, thinning tissue, and some bladder problems.
The laser treatment lasts five to 10 minutes, with the rest of the time allotted to prepping.
The vaginal rejuvenation treatment is well-tolerated, but a topical numbing cream or gel is usually applied to the external vaginal area. This keeps discomfort to a minimum when the probe is inserted. Most patients don’t feel more than a slight vibration, tingling, or warmth.
What Happens During the Procedure?
The MonaLisa Touch treatment is simple but methodical, with our providers paying special attention to patient comfort. Here’s what you can expect:
- Positioning and Setup: Patients are asked to lie back on the stirrups while the clinician applies a topical numbing cream to the vaginal tissue or the vulva. This aims to make the procedure more comfortable, although some may decide to opt out of it.
- Laser Insertion: The provider inserts a laser applicator in the vagina, which is the size of a tampon. Since it’s not bulky, most patients find it more tolerable than the average gynecological procedure.
- Laser Delivery: Once the probe is placed, it sends out small and gentle bursts of CO2 energy. This targets only fractions of the tissue while sparing the surroundings, reducing your recovery time. The provider then moves or rotates the probe to treat other zones of the vaginal canal.
- Removal of Handpiece: After the treatment, the provider will remove the probe, and, depending on the case, the doctor may apply a soothing and hydrating gel, especially if you opted out of the numbing cream. If you’re sensitive to pain, medicine can be prescribed to control it (although that’s rarely necessary).
Most patients don’t need to take time off from work, and the short duration of the procedure makes it a suitable lunchtime treatment. Also, you won’t have any issues sitting, as the laser only treats the internal area. However, you may have a sense of “awareness” in the area, but unless you are particularly sensitive, it shouldn’t affect your routine.
Post-Procedure Expectations
MonaLisa Touch comes with some side effects and restrictions to keep in mind for the first couple of days. This includes the following:
1. Downtime Potential
The MonaLisa Touch treatment is relatively gentle. Most patients can resume their daily activities on the same day. At most, you’ll experience some mild sensitivity or discomfort, similar to what you’d feel during a pap smear or other gynecological exams.
2. Immediate Side Effects
The side effects of the MonaLisa Touch treatment are a sign that your body was kicked into healing mode and has begun producing more collagen. It’s common to see some watery discharge or light spotting in the first day or two, along with a sensation of discomfort or itchiness when you are urinating. Mild redness and swelling can also happen at this stage, but any kind of discomfort is easily alleviated with OTC pain medication (if needed).
3. Restrictions to Remember
While your ability to go to work or perform daily chores hasn’t been compromised, there are certain activities you may want to refrain from. It’s best to avoid sex for about three to seven days, as the tissue needs time to heal. If you’re spotting or get your period early, use a pad instead of a tampon.
Keep vigorous exercise to a minimum, as this can put pressure on the muscles and worsen the swelling. Go for gentle cleansing with a hypoallergenic wash and steer clear of baths and swimming pools.
Short and Long-Term Results to Expect
The MonaLisa Touch treatment is known for its long-term improvement of vaginal health, but results frequently appear within the first week. Lubrication generally gets better after the first week, and there’s less discomfort associated with dryness. Roughly 84 percent of women in menopause experienced improvement after getting the MonaLisa Touch treatment.
That said, the final results can take some time to show, as the collagen needs to form and mature. It can take up to three months for the vaginal walls to improve in texture and moisture levels. Proper aftercare speeds up the process, but it still has a waiting period.
Depending on age or vaginal dryness level, more than one treatment may be needed to achieve optimal results. Most women require around three treatments spaced around four to five weeks apart. Collagen production will eventually return to its natural rate, which is why yearly maintenance sessions are recommended if you want to prolong your results.
Schedule Your MonaLisa Touch Treatment Today!
Vaginal dryness should not be a worry for any woman, regardless of her age. Fortunately, modern treatments like the MonaLisa Touch can address this issue without having to resort to surgery. Schedule an appointment with Dermacare Medical Aesthetics and prepare for your next treatment!
For more information about the MonaLisa Touch treatment, get in touch with Dermacare Medical Aesthetics at 858-943-2443. We can offer the guidance you need to alleviate your current discomfort. Use the online contact form, and we will get in touch with you shortly.