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All the things that can make your face break
out can affect you down south too: poor
sleep, dehydration, and stress, Dr. McClellan
says. These factors increase inflammation,
which makes skin prone to irritation. A sure
sign of suffering? Increased itchiness in the
evening. “Anything that’s inflammation
related tends to get worse at night,” Dr.
McClellan says. Aim to get seven hours of
sleep every night and drink at least 2 litres of
water a day. If you’re falling short, take extra
care to prevent chafing. Stick to looser-
fitting clothes and 100-per cent-cotton
underwear.USE CLEAN PRODUCTS
Vulval skin is absorbent, which makes it
more likely to react to ingredients in soap,
moisturiser, and even fabric softener. Avoid
well-known irritants like synthetic fragrance
and parabens, and skip products that
contain essential oils – some, like tea tree oil,
can burn sensitive skin, Dr. McClellan says.
She advises using water instead of soap and
looking for moisturiser with few ingredients.GIVE SOME TLC
Your risk of bacterial vaginosis and urinary
tract and yeast infections is higher in the
summer because bacteria and yeast love
heat and humidity. The resulting discharge
can make the vulva red, rash-like, and
irritated. While you’re treating the infection,
Dr. McClellan says, use an over the counter
hydrocortisone cream to calm angry skin. If
that doesn’t help after a day or two, head to
your ob-gyn, she adds. “The irritation might
be contact dermatitis or eczema, or it could
be a misdiagnosed problem – many women
think they have yeast when another issue is
to blame,” she says.Your vaginal region
is ultrasensitive and
requires special
attention, says
Stephanie McClellan,
an ob-gyn and the
chief medical officer at
Tia Clinic, a gynecology
and wellness practice
in New York City. These
three strategies will
keep it healthy.SKIN CARE
DOWN THERE
86 | LOOK GREAT | SHAPE AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019