We're definitely living in what has become a vagina-obsessed world. Everywhere I turn I'm hearing about a new trend for down there: from vagina facials, to bleaching (because apparently our vaginas are too brown), to rejuvenation surgery to labiaplasty–its nuts! The latest hype now is the V-steam. It's basically a spa treatment that helps steam your vagina with herbs. How weird is that? It's nothing new but has become even more popular after Gwyneth Paltrow started raving about it!
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The very first time I was introduced to vaginal facials was when Sister Sister twins, Tia and Tamera Mowry, had it done on their reality TV show, Tia & Tamera. Apparently Gwyneth Paltrow now swears by it too. She's been talking about Tikkun Spa's Mugwort V-Steam, like it's the best thing she's ever experienced in her entire life. "You sit on what is essentially a mini-throne, and a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus et al," she wrote on her website. "It is an energetic release–not just a steam douche–that balances female hormone levels."
I always thought Gwyneth was kind of off, so I'm not entirely surprised that she would highly recommend something like this. But I do think the V-steam sounds absolutely ridiculous and apparently they could be dangerous too. "It probably feels good because the heat increases blood flow to the whole vaginal area, including the clitoris, which could turn some women on," Hilda Hutcherson, MD, an ob/gyn at Columbia University Medical Center and author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want Need and Deserve told Health.com. "But if you got too close to the steam, you could end up with second degree burns down there." Ouch–could you imagine?
Oh and it gets even worse than that. Apparently V-steams can also cause an increase in moisture in your vagina that can lead to yeast or bacterial infections like BV or pelvic inflammatory disease. It's SO not worth it. Crazy thing is, this isn't the only weird thing women are doing to their vaginas these days. Check out a few other vaginal trends you need to avoid!
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Vaginal facials
Supposedly these things help smooth skin and remove ingrown hairs and darkness from frequent shaving. But all it does it up your chances of developing a vaginal infection. Leave the facials for your face!
Vaginal bleaching
As if women didn't have enough to be self-conscious about, now we have to worry about whether or not our vaginas our"too brown" too? There's actually a product out called Clean and Dry Intimate Wash, that's specifically designed to lighten the color of your vag. Seriously, what is this world coming to?
Barbie surgery
"The Barbie" surgery is a labiaplasty procedure that involves clipping out a woman's entire labia minora (the inner lips) in order to maintain a smooth, outer labia look. Yikes–that sounds painful!
Tightening creams
I've said it before and I'll say it again, no cream out there will ever make your vagina look or feel 18 again. Let's make that clear!
Vaginal rejuvenation
Vaginal rejuvenation is a surgery that helps tighten you up down there, a.k.a. feel like a virgin again. Now why would anyone want that?
Va j-j Visor
It's a soft flexible cup women can use as a protective shield while shaving or tanning down there. Anyone else find this incredibly unnecessary?
Bedazzle
Yes, there's women out there that decorate their vaginas with bling. Enough said, right?
Douching
Doctors have been trying to discourage women from douching for years. It's not just unnecessary, but incredibly unhealthy. "Douching upsets the natural balance of your vagina," Dr. Hutcherson told Health.com. It can cause anything from a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, a UTI, a bladder infection of even pelvic inflammatory disease which could lead to infertility in some cases.
Sunbathing
Sunbathing in general is bad for you, what makes you think spreading your legs open out in the sun would be okay? Need a boost of vitamin D? Pop a supplement!
Inserting sweets down there
Nothing edible should EVER be inserting into your vagina. I don't care if it's whip cream, sugar or a fruit. If it belongs in your mouth it definitely doesn't belong down there!
Public hair transplants
I don't understand how we went from Brazilian waxes and sporting bare vaginas to women now spending money on pubic hair transplants. Tell me that isn't the nastiest thing you've ever heard!
