The natural aging process can be hard on women, especially as they have children, experience loss of collagen and elastin, and undergo drops in estrogen. Until now, the only solution to dissatisfaction with the appearance and function of the vagina was the surgical vaginoplasty (also known as a labiaplasty) and kegels as a life-long routine to tighten vaginal muscles. The excisional nature of a vaginoplasty results in long recovery times and excessive scarring in intimate areas. Additionally, kegels may not provide the immediate results women want, discouraging them from practicing kegels regularly. Now, there’s a better solution: Votiva by InMode is a non-surgical, non-invasive procedure that takes 20-30 minutes and has 0 downtime. Votiva is small but mighty, offering multiple benefits that improve with time and fight the aging process for you.
Non-Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation
Votiva offers benefits that improve feminine health and wellness in just three easy treatments that can be done on your lunch break. These benefits may include:
- Vaginal tightening
- Reduced urinary stress incontinence associated with childbirth
- Improvement in sexual function and sensitivity
- Reduced vaginal dryness and irritation during intercourse
- Reduced discomfort from laxity of labia and vaginal walls
- Non-surgical solution to painful intercourse
- Improved appearance of the vaginal lips (labia)
Votiva may be used as an alternative to kegel exercises, or kegels may be performed in addition to Votiva treatments. Many women don’t have a need for kegels after receiving their Votiva treatments because of the way Votiva gently utilizes radio frequency energy to tighten the vaginal tissues.
What is Votiva? How does it work?
We typically think of collagen and elastin as key players in keeping our cheeks and lips plump, but both proteins also exist in the vagina, maintaining tightness and function. Votiva works from the inside out to provide you with effective results fast. Votiva uses the FormaV attachment to deliver gentle thermal tissue remodeling via RF energy. The FormaV attachment head is sterile, disposable and about the same length as a typical vaginal canal. Its narrow, sleek design allows for minimal discomfort and quick, efficient treatment so you can get back to running, jumping, laughing and living without worry.
Votiva is designed by InMode Aesthetic Solutions and uses their revolutionary application of radio frequency energy to tighten tissues and improve vaginal health. Radio frequency energy is something we use everyday in cell phones, radio and TV broadcasting. When this energy is concentrated and applied to the tissues, it causes a gentle heating sensation. This has a tightening effect on the heated tissue, as well as a stimulating effect on the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the key players when it comes to youthful skin. Collagen gives our skin strength, and elastin gives our skin the ability to “spring” back into place when it is stretched. At age 20, we start producing about 1% less collagen per year. This can be exacerbated by environmental factors, such as sun exposure or smoking.
How Do I Know if I am a Good Candidate for Votiva?
Votiva is a well-known vaginal rejuvenation treatment that is ideal for many women facing issues associated with childbirth, aging, and hormonal changes. To determine if you are a good candidate for this radiofrequency procedure, we will have a meaningful conversation with you about your intimate health concerns. It is important to discuss what you wish to address, from painful sex to vaginal dryness and more, and to understand how Votiva can help you achieve your goals. Your provider will conduct a brief medical history and ask questions about your lifestyle and medication or supplement use. They will also ask about the date of your last menstrual period.
What is Radiofrequency? How Can it Help Rejuvenate My Vaginal Area?
Radiofrequency energy has been harnessed in several tissue-rejuvenating devices. The Votiva device delivers controlled radiofrequency waves that achieve thermal remodeling in the vaginal lining and underlying tissue. It also stimulates the production of collagen within the vaginal canal and, if needed, in the labia. Here, RF energy stimulates fibroblast cells to produce more collagen, resulting in tissue contraction and tightening.
Vaginal rejuvenation works through collagen remodeling. This is advantageous because, with a healthy dose of new collagen, the vaginal area can experience a number of beneficial changes. These include increased lubrication, tightening of the vaginal canal, the reduction of stress urinary incontinence, greater vaginal muscle tone, and increased sexual sensation.
I Have Had Issues with Vaginal Dryness for Years, Can Votiva Help with This?
Yes. During your Votiva treatment sessions, efficient radiofrequency energy will target the cells in and beneath the vaginal lining. This not only increases the amount of collagen that is delivered to the surface tissue but also infiltrates the vaginal canal with growth factors and new vascularization. This new blood supply, collagen, and nourishment restore moisture and elasticity to the vaginal mucosa.
How Long Does the Votiva Treatment Take?
Votiva treatment takes about half an hour. You may be in the office for 45 minutes to an hour depending on your questions and the time it takes to change out of your clothes into the treatment gown. Once you are situated in your private treatment room, your provider can quickly begin your procedure without the need to apply a topical anesthetic. This cuts down on the overall time that it takes to get you back to your daily activities feeling like a younger version of yourself!
When Will I See the Results of My Votiva Treatments? Is There Any Downtime?
You may begin to notice some improvement in one or more of your symptoms after your very first Votiva treatment. How quickly your results develop will depend on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms and your body's unique response to the thermal energy it absorbs. Your rate of natural collagen production will also influence the speed at which your results develop. If your collagen production has slowed down significantly, as can happen with age, you may need a few sessions before your remodeling becomes more pronounced.
There is no need to schedule time off from most of your normal activities after receiving Votiva treatment. You can return to work and light activity with no interference. There is a chance that you may experience minor redness and swelling in the vaginal area. This can last up to three days but, again, should not interfere with normal activity. Your provider will discuss aftercare instructions such as how to keep the area moisturized to support optimal tissue recovery.
What can I expect?
Votiva is performed by our RN, Kaley Harris, in our discreet and private clinic in Gainesville, Florida. At Gaines Plastic Surgery, we recommend 3 Votiva treatments, spaced four to six weeks apart. Many women see improvement after only one treatment, and these effects continue to improve as they finish out the recommended three treatments. Votiva requires no downtime and can be done on your lunch break. The entire procedure lasts 30-40 minutes and is similar to a visit to your gynecologist. You will be given ample time to change and have the option to use a drape cloth for further privacy. Kaley will begin by treating the vaginal canal (inside) and then move to treating the soft tissue of the labia minora and labia majora (outside).
When the procedure is finished, you may be encouraged to use the restroom and apply a thin pantyliner to prevent any spotting from staining your undergarments. Many patients do not experience spotting at all. Most women report that on a scale from 1 to 10, the pain from the experience is a 0. It may be a bit uncomfortable, and you will feel a gentle warming sensation, but there should not be any pain involved with this procedure. There is no anesthesia, local or general, associated with Votiva.
At Gaines Plastic Surgery we know feminine health is an intimate subject, so our medical staff strive to provide a comfortable and professional environment where you feel confident in expressing your wants and needs when it comes to Votiva for vaginal rejuvenation.
How much does Votiva cost?
Votiva treatments can range from $1000 to $3000 depending on if you buy them individually or in a package. Give us a call at (352) 333-9600 or email us to put down your deposit on our next available Votiva day. Prices may vary based on the current specials we are running.