What is a Vajacial?
Yes, you read that right. We are now living in a world where vulvas can get facials - and they are all the rage! When I think of facials I think of steaming, goopy masks, extractions, and an overall calming experience. This is exactly what a vajacial consists of and more!
Keep reading to learn all about what a vajacial is and why you need one. This blog will answer all of the questions about vajacials asked by our Bushbalm customers.
Pubic Hair & Vulva Care Explained
Before we jump into vajacials, it’s essential to establish why the vulva deserves a skincare routine. In a word: pubic hair. Pubic hair is unlike any hair on the rest of our body. Pubic hair is thick, coarse, and wiry than the hair on our legs, chests, backs, underarms, and scalps. Given its texture, pubic hair can irritate the skin when it grows back after hair removal. Pubes are prone to get stuck under the skin, causing ingrown hairs, which can lead to scarring and dark spots.
Its thick and wiry texture is not without reason. According to dermatologist Marc Glashofer, the texture of pubic hair tends to be thicker and coarse because “It prevents friction during intercourse that can cause skin abrasion and rashes….More importantly, pubic hair protects against bacteria and other pathogens.” Simply put, our bodies create pubic hair for a reason. That said, just because pubic hair serves an important function doesn’t mean you’re obligated to keep it.
If you decide to groom/shave/wax your pubic hair, you should know that the risk of developing ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and dark spots increases. That is where vajacials come in to save the day and are a treatment for your mons pubic and vulva region.
What is a vajacial?
A vajacial is typically a 30-50 minute professional spa service for your vulva. The treatment includes a cleanse, exfoliant, and extractions of ingrown hairs, followed by a soothing mask, completed with an oil or moisturizer. This service focuses on the mons pubis, bikini line and outer labia. This is not for your vagina, as that is inside your body.
Vajacials are usually follow-up services to help deal with the side effects of hair removal on the vulva, but they are not limited to females. They can be performed on anyone who removes hair or wants to hydrate their pubic hair. Men, we’re looking at you too.
Vajacial's can be professionally done, or you can buy an At-Home Vajacial Kit.
Vajacial by @_waxjunkie | Best Vajacial in LA
The purpose of a vajacial
A vajacial provides the vulva with post-care love after hair removal. It helps with dead skin cells, ingrown hairs, razor burns, hyperpigmentation, dark spots and skin texture around the bikini line, all to maintain healthy and hydrated skin in the vulva area, leaving one feeling confident.
A rundown of the vajacial treatment
A vajacial may look a little different from spa to spa. The service could include vaginal steaming, gentle exfoliants, ingrown hair treatments, mud masks for the vulva, and even red light therapy which kills bacteria and provides skin-brightening benefits that reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
A standard vajacial could look something like this:
- cleanse
- steam (optional)
- extract (optional)
- gentle exfoliant (optional)
- hydrogel vajacial mask
- soothing treatment oil
The vaginal steam will loosen ingrown hairs, oil, dirt, and debris that clog the upper layer of skin. The extraction process removes ingrown hairs, blackheads, and deep blockages. A gentle exfoliant will be used to clean out the pores. This step will reveal a fresh, healthy, and baby-soft layer of skin that can absorb and retain moisture. Finally, the mask will detoxify the skin and soothe the pubic area.
Cleanse before a vajacial
Use your favorite cleanser to start a vajacial service.
Open a new Hydrogel Vajacial Mask
Our individually packed masks are created to be sanitary and ready to be applied.
Apply a Hydrogel Vajacial Mask
Use the hydrogel vajacial mask for 10 minutes to cool and calm the mons pubis region.
Leave the Hydrogel Vajacial Mask on for 10 minutes
The Hydrogel Vajacial Mask only requires 10 minutes for results.
Apply the Hydrogel Vajacial Side Strips for 10 minutes
The side strips are designed for the inner thighs where irritation commonly occurs.
Apply a soothing vajacial oil
Use a natural soothing oil at the end of a vajacial for additional hydration.
Vajacials & Hair Removal
Do I have to remove my hair before my vajacial?
The main focus of a vajacial is to treat ingrown hairs and detoxify the skin. The hair must be removed first for the vajacial to fulfill this focus. Depending on the salon, the vajacial is offered in two different ways. Some estheticians break it into two sessions and book their client’s hair removal a day or two before treatment, while some salons include it as a back-to-back service to apply the vajacial treatment as a form of post-wax care. However, it’s not limited to someone who uses wax or sugar for hair removal; it’s also amazing for people who shave or laser their hair.
Aftercare for a vajacial:
- Do not touch the area
- Wear loose clothing for the next 24 hours
- Do not exfoliate the pubic area for 72 hours
- Do not shower or bath for the next 24 hours
- Avoid activities that cause you to sweat (including working out, going in a sauna, running, sex etc.)
Common Questions
Are vajacials necessary for vagina health?
No, vajacials are not necessary to maintain vagina health (click here to learn about how to properly clean the vagina and vulva). Rather, vajacials are designed for those who would like to even out the skin tone, detoxify the pubic region, prevent irritation from waxing/shaving, extract ingrown hairs, and/or any of the other benefits that were previously mentioned.
Will a vajacial hurt?
Vajacials do not hurt! Many people find vajacials to be relaxing and therapeutic. The extractions could bring a bit of discomfort but it doesn’t last long.
Are vajacials safe?
In the hands of a certified and experienced esthetician, vajacials are entirely safe. All the treatments take place on the vulva (the vulva is the external part of the female genitals), not inside the vagina.
However, if someone inexperienced and poorly trained gets their hands around your vagina, there is a risk of infection and/or discomfort. This is why it is essential to do your research and find a highly recommended and/or trusted esthetician to perform this treatment.
On safety, Dr. Nicole Williams, OBGYN and founder of the Gynecology Institute in Chicago, recommends finding out about herbs and ingredients in the steam, gels, and masks used throughout the treatment. With this information, you can limit the risk of allergic reactions.
Overall, it is essential to do your research and ask questions before starting this treatment.
Can I get a vajacial during pregnancy?
Good news: getting a vajacial during pregnancy is safe, as it can be adjusted to the client’s need. Vajacials are actually a great way to feel confident in your bikini area while you are pregnant (especially in the later months when it gets harder to see what is going on down there).
That said, mama-to-be’s would have to skip out on the service’s High-Frequency Wand or LED Lights if it’s part of the service. They should also consult with their esthetician to ensure their products do not contain essential oils. According to Jillian Edwards, a doctor who specializes in prenatal care, essential oils have the potential to adversely affect the baby in their early developmental stages and/or cause uterine contractions. Simply put, it is best to avoid essential oils while pregnant.
Note: If you are interested in a vajacial, professionals recommend you get one done more than a month before your due date.
How often should I do a vajacial?
To keep the skin around the vulva soft and healthy, a vajacial should be done once a month after your hair removal session.
How much do vajacials cost?
The cost of the vajacial treatment will vary depending on the salon or esthetician you go to, but they typically range between $50-60.
What is the texture of a Hydrogel Vajacial Mask?
It's a soft gel material that's hydrating and cooling. There will be moisture on the hydrogel when you begin using it. Eventually it will soak into the skin.
Cleaning the Vulva and Vagina at home
As impressive as a vajacial sounds, I understand that it is not precisely financially feasible for everyone to get a sixty-dollar vajacial every month. Fortunately, there are ways that you can give your vulva the care and attention it deserves without professional service.
Below, I have listed some of our favourite products to ensure that your pubic area is clear, glowing, and healthy.
- Nourishing pH Balanced Body Wash
- Ingrown Soothing Oils
- Hydrogel Vajacial Mask
- Exfoliating Sugar Scrub
- Previous article Previous Everything you need to know about Boob Creams and Décolleté Care
- Next article Next What you need to know about Coconut Oil on your bikini area
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