Lichen Sclerosus

by CO2 Laser

Treatment By

Doctor

Treatment Type

Deka SmartXide Touch CO2 Laser-Monalisa Touch

Downtime

Minimal

Treatment Time

15 – 30 Minutes

Results Seen

Few weeks after each session

Discomfort

Mild

Lichen Sclerosus is a skin condition that affects the external genitals or vulva and mainly affects women. The condition causes itching and a burning sensation, causing discomfort and loss of confidence. Lichen Sclerosus can also lead to scarring in the area. A popular treatment is the Mona Lisa Touch – The CO2 laser works to stimulate protein synthesis, accelerate tissue reconstruction, and decrease lichenification. The treatment offers excellent results with minimal downtime.

Treatment Areas

  • Vagina

  • Labia

  • Penis

  • Perianal

Treatment Benefits

  • Stimulates the production of collagen

  • Restores confidence

  • Suitable for all skin types

  • Performed by a doctor

  • Excellent results

  • Minimal downtime

Lichen Sclerosus is a skin condition that affects the intimate area. The condition causes skin around the vagina, vulva or penis to become very itchy and sensitive. White patches will appear around the area and could bleed if scratched or rubbed – these may appear unsightly. Some may experience pain during intercourse or using the bathroom too. Lichen Sclerosus mainly affects women over the age of 50, however in some cases younger men and women can also experience the condition. It is important to note that Lichen Sclerosus is not contagious and you cannot pass it on to a partner through sexual intercourse. The concern can affect all skin types and the exact cause is unknown. It is not thought that poor hygiene causes Lichen Sclerosus. Currently there is no cure; however symptoms can be reduced through a variety of methods.

Many things can aggravate Lichen Sclerosus or cause flare ups. These include irritants such as soap, shower gel, perfume, bubble bath, shaving foam and hair removal cream. If you have Lichen Sclerosus you should avoid these products. Lichen Sclerosus is also commonly mistaken for thrush and if left untreated can lead to more advanced problems like permanently changing the look of your genitals, infections from scratching and scarring.

The Lichen Sclerosus treatment is carried out at our Leamington Spa aesthetic clinic by experienced doctors. We use the Mona Lisa Touch intimate CO2 laser, an advanced non-invasive and non-surgical treatment to carefully remove the outer layer of damaged skin. The treatment offers very little downtime and very few risks.

All patients will first attend a medical consultation and assessment with our doctor. During the assessment, our doctor will take a full medical history. We’ll also be able to address any concerns you have and answer any questions regarding Lichen Sclerosus or the procedure. We will also provide you with an accurate quote and suggest the number of sessions required for the best results.

Once you have decided to proceed with treatment, a lidocaine numbing cream will be applied to the area to ensure your comfort. We will wait around 30 minutes for the numbing cream to take effect before starting the laser procedure. The treatment is minimally painful and feels like elastic bands on the skin. The treatment will last around 10 minutes.

During treatment, the laser stimulates the production of collagen and triggers your body’s natural healing response. It is important that we target all of the Lichen Sclerosus to prevent a return of the condition. Because the laser sterilises the skin, you will not see any blood.

The laser pulses, aimed at the vaginal tissue by a special probe, create micro-lesions. These are surrounded by healthy tissue and fractionate the mucosa. This triggers the natural repair and rejuvenation processes, stimulates the production of collagen and blood flow in the area and consequently promotes lubrication, thereby restoring hydration and tissue elasticity. The healthy tissue surrounding the Lichen Sclerosus will remain unharmed.

All skin types are suitable for treatment and usually 3 sessions are required. Sometimes more are needed if the condition is severe.

The laser targets Lichen Sclerosus by destroying the outer layers of the skin and stimulating cell turnover. The fully recovery time for a CO2 laser procedure is typically about 1 week. Due to the intimate treatment, we have to take extra care to avoid infection or discomfort so use the very best medical grade lasers. The Mona Lisa Touch is a specialist laser for intimate areas only.

Following treatment your skin will be a little red and sore. This is totally normal and the beginning of your recovery journey. Within a few weeks after your last session, you can expect a more even skin tone, a reduction in itching/pain and restored confidence. As the Mona Lisa Touch has many benefits, you may also experience minor intimate lightening, along with tighter skin around the area.

Whilst there are many treatments and creams on offer claiming to treat Lichen Sclerosus, many do not work effectively and come with risks. We believe the Mona Lisa Touch is the very best solution to Lichen Sclerosus. The laser manufacturer is DEKA, a medical laser company backed by decades of research and clinical studies. DEKA are market leaders and are well known for an excellent level of safety and results.

Patient Confidentiality

At Eve Clinics, patient confidentiality is of the utmost importance. All personal and medical information shared during consultations and treatments is kept strictly confidential. Our clinic adheres to the highest standards of privacy to ensure a secure and comfortable experience for every individual seeking private area treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our doctor or laser specialist will suggest the exact number of sessions required to treat your individual concern.

Usually our doctor will advise a minimum of 3 secession, maybe more if the condition is severe.

In darker skin types, because of the increased risks of hypopigmentation, we need to use lighter laser energy which is why we may advise more sessions.

No, Lichen Sclerosus is not contagious and cannot be passed onto partners through sexual intercourse.

No, Lichen Sclerosus cannot be passed from one individual to another.

It is not known what causes Lichen Sclerosus, but it is thought that an overactive immune system or an imbalance of hormones may play a role.

If you are suffering from Lichen Sclerosus you should not itch or scratch the area. You should also avoid using soaps or chemicals on the area that may irritate it further – just use water to wash at first. You should avoid doing strenuous exercise that puts pressure onto the area like cycling until symptoms have passed a little.

After the procedure, you’ll notice your skin is a little red and a little sore. This will subside in the days following treatment. To help, you should apply a cold compress, aloe vera or Savlone. We can also offer a choice of Eve Clinics specialist skincare like hypericum gel

Depil Comfort – Calming and Anti-inflammatory Skin Gel

After a couple of days, you may see small brownish dots on the area treated, these are the micro punctures of the laser and have to be left to peel off naturally, it can take up to one week.

Patients do not need to prepare in any way prior to treatment. Please reschedule the appointment if the appointment is during your period, or if it will start straight after the procedure. Please come to your appointment wearing loose cotton underwear and clothes.

Please shave 2 days prior to your procedure on the area to be treated. Avoid waxing creams.

Yes, please stop using your steroid cream one week before and one week after the laser treatment.

Following treatment, please try not to itch or touch the freshly treated area. You should also avoid sexual intercourse in the first week. You should be able to shower the following day.

Please avoid hot baths, swimming pools and hot tubs for up to 1 week. You should use Savlon for up to one week in the morning and evening. Antibiotic ointment can be provided if need be.

Please do not have any laser hair removal or waxing treatments for 4-6 weeks on the area treated. You can shave after 2 weeks.

Avoid direct contact with sun or sun tanning machines for up to one month.

Please take it easy for a couple of days. You can exercise after 3-4 days but choose your exercise wisely so not to cause discomfort.

Ideally patients should wait 4-6 weeks minimum in between sessions to see the most effective results.

Because Lichen Sclerosus can flare up from time to time, we do not guarantee permanent results. However, our treatment is very effective and Lichen Sclerosus returns only in a small number of cases. You may want to return for one session from time to time so you can maintain the results.

As with any aesthetic, surgical or laser procedure, there is a small risk of hyperpigmentation, where the skin appears darker in the area being treated. There is also a risk of hypopigmentation in all skin types. Scarring is also possible but rare. Risks are minimised by using appropriate and high quality medical equipment.

Patients who suffer with infections, genital warts, burns after laser or waxing, birthmarks, eczema, pregnant or breastfeeding patients, or people who suffer with pigment disorders.

We specialise in intimate treatments for females here in Leamington Spa. Our practitioners have decades of laser experience. Deka SmartXide CO2 laser-Monalisa Touch manufactures have a special interest in Lichen Scherousus research and protocols and have published several white papers involving doctors and professors from all over the word regarding this condition. Please see the white paper attached here.

Patient safety is also at the forefront of everything we do. We will provide you with our honest expert opinion and only progress with treatment if you are suitable and will be able to benefit.

It has been 7 months since I have been undergoing my treatment plan. From the start I was given a very honest and realistic expectation of the treatment

R.N,