Chrissy Teigen is an influencer in the true sense of the word. Not only does the model and author have a ginormous Instagram following (18 MILLION), but she’s so godamn cool that we can’t help but want to copy everything she does. Oh, Chrissy’s really into sriracha sauce? Spice us up, baby! Chrissy’s gone ombre now? Off to the hairdresser we go! Yep, she’s pretty much Regina George, only way nice and funnier.
That said, we’re not sure how we feel about Chrissy’s latest trend. Earlier this week, she posted on Instagram that she was giving vaginal steaming a go.
“Face mask/heat pad/vagina steam no I don’t know if any of this works but it can’t hurt right? *vagina dissolves*” she wrote in her trademark tongue-in-cheek style.
What is vaginal steaming?
Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of this unusual treatment. Gwnyeth Paltrow (who else?) first introduced us to vaginal steaming back in 2015. It involves sitting on a throne-like chair with a hole, while a combination of herbs like mugwort work their magic on your lady parts. It’s said to cleanse the uterus, provide a natural energy boost, reduce period length, reduce odoir and ease menstrual cramps.
While we assumed v-steaming would be a passing fad, it appears it’s stood the test of time. Not only is the treatment crazy popular in South Africa but it’s continued to grow in LA, NYC and even Australia. So, the question is—should we take a leaf out of Chrissy’s ladygarden (sorry) and get our steam on ‘down there?” According to the experts—absolutely not.
Not only can any form of douching disrupt the vagina’s delicate pH balance, but there’s the chance that if the steam comes into contact with your vulva or vagina, you could get burned. “I’d hate to be dealing with intravaginal burns,” gynaecologist Mary Jane Minkin told Self. Obsetrician and gynecologist Dr Joseph Sgroi also told Body+Soul that because the genital skin is “quite thin” it lacks a lot of nerve cells—meaning you could get burnt without knowing it. Plus, if any of the plant matter gets absorbed into the vagina, it can cause an infection.
So, if you’re looking to practice self-care, best to get a normal facial instead. And if you’re dealing with period problems like menstrual cramps, prolonged periods or a change in odour, go and see your GP—not a day spa.
