Dangerous or Useless Tiktok Trends You Should Not Use for Your Vagina According to A Gynecologist

TikTok has spawned thousands of health and beauty trends and hacks. Some of them are useful and some are downright dangerous. The vagina has not been spared when it comes to these viral trends put forth by non-experts, but nevertheless, they have caught on. Dr. Mickey Karram is a Beverly Hills, California Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery of Visthetic Surgery Institute & MedSpa who seeks to dispel these dangerous practices.

Vaginal dabbing, as the name implies, involves applying vaginal secretions to specific areas on the body known as pulse points, such as the wrists, neck, and inside the elbows, much like you would apply a fragrance. This ritual is believed to make one highly attractive to a potential partner. This trend gained significant popularity on TikTok and received widespread attention on the internet. Advocates of this practice attribute its effectiveness to pheromones and deeply ingrained biological responses. They also argue that its low-risk and cost-free nature makes it harmless, although some dissenting voices disagree. To begin with, it's important to clarify that vabbing is not entirely without risks, despite being marketed as such. Whenever an object or body part is introduced into the vagina, there is a potential risk of infection. While thorough hand washing before the practice can help mitigate this risk, individuals with long fingernails may inadvertently introduce bacteria into the vagina. Conversely, there's also the risk of transmitting bacteria, yeast, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from the vagina to the vabbing points on the body and, subsequently, to anything that encounters the skin.

Moisturizing melts in the vagina. What exactly are these moisturizing melts? They're non-medicated vaginal suppositories that claim to enhance the natural scent and taste of your vagina. These products come in various flavors, such as strawberry and peach. In January, a TikTok user shared her experience, claiming that these melts can make your intimate area taste and smell like the flavor you select. Another user summarized her positive encounter with a video that received 2.2 million likes. It's important to note that even though these vaginal suppositories are made from "all-natural" ingredients, it's still possible to experience irritation or allergic reactions to these components. However, here's another crucial consideration: your vagina isn't meant to have the taste or fragrance of fruits or flowers. The vagina has its own natural scent, which is entirely normal and healthy as it is a self-cleaning organ. If you have concerns about an unusual odor, consult a healthcare provider. There are commercially available vaginal inserts with a clinically tested pH balance that may be recommended. 

Placing ice cubes inside the vagina has gained attention on TikTok. A TikTok user claimed that inserting an ice cube into the vagina can potentially tighten it and even address bacterial overgrowth issues. This assertion led to a surge in people posting videos of themselves attempting this unconventional trend. However, it's important to note this practice's potential risks and limitations. If the vagina is dry, the ice cube may adhere uncomfortably, causing significant discomfort. 

Furthermore, melting an ice cube within the vagina could potentially disrupt its pH balance. Water, with a pH level of 7, differs significantly from the vagina's natural pH range of 3.5 to 4.5. 

Taking a shot of lemon juice to delay the onset of a menstrual cycle  is simply ineffective. Menstruation is a natural process and is not influenced by what you consume. Ingesting lemon juice has no impact on the ovaries or the communication between the brain and the ovaries. While taking a shot of lemon juice isn't harmful, it lacks a logical basis. 

Utilizing Boric Acid Suppositories for Yeast Infections. While numerous individuals on TikTok have been advocating for using boric acid suppositories to address vaginal yeast or bacterial infections, it is advisable to seek direct guidance from a qualified medical professional before attempting this remedy. Although boric acid has the potential to modify vaginal acidity levels, which might, in turn, offer relief from yeast infections and their associated symptoms like itching and burning, its effectiveness can vary, especially in cases of recurring infections.

Furthermore, there are specific scenarios in which boric acid suppositories are not recommended, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if one has allergies to boric acid, diabetes, compromised immune system, or frequent infections. Additionally, it's important to note that boric acid suppositories can lead to discomfort during sexual intercourse, as the acid has the potential to erode condoms and diaphragms. 

Yoni pearls Yoni pearls, named after the Sanskrit word for "vagina," are small bundles of various herbs. Some people claim that inserting them into their vaginas helps improve odor, remove toxins, or treat bacterial and yeast infections. But there isn't enough medical research to properly understand the effects. Avoid them because they have been reported to cause dryness, stinging, and cramping."

Vaginal steaming

Users on TikTok who have tried vaginal steaming (essentially a steam bath pointed directly at the vagina, referred to as V-steaming or yoni steaming to get around the app's censoring) share tons of purported claims about the benefits, from increasing libido to tightening the vagina. The treatment has been promoted by Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and other celebrities, including Chrissy Teigen, but doctors have quickly called them out. The vagina steam is a scam. Potentially harmful. Vaginal steaming only reaches the outer parts of your vagina and doesn't affect your uterus or cervix. The only recommended way to properly clean the outside of your vagina is unscented soap and warm water."

About Dr. Karram

Dr. Mickey Karram is an internationally renowned urogynecologist and pelvic surgeon. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. He completed his fellowship training in Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery at Harbor UCLA School of Medicine. He is currently the Director of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery at The Christ Hospital and a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.

He is the past Editor-In-Chief of the International Urogynecology Journal and the consumer publication Women’s Health Today and is past President of the American Urogynecology Society.  He has published more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters and has co-authored numerous textbooks including Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery; Atlas of Pelvic Anatomy and Gynecologic Surgery, and The Pelvic Surgery Video Atlas.

He is the Founder and CEO of The Foundation for Female Health Awareness www.femalehealthawareness.com a 501©3 non-for-profit organization dedicated to educating women on pelvic and breast health as well as supporting unbiased research.

Dr. Karram has directed a number of post-graduate teaching courses throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. Dr. Karram has been designated by Good Housekeeping Magazine as one of the “Best Doctors in America for Women.”

Skincare Tips to Transition from Summer to Fall

Now that Fall is finally here, it's a good time to reevaluate your skincare routine. The changing seasons bring changes in humidity, temperature, and environmental factors, all of which can impact your skin's health and appearance. What worked for you during the hot and humid Summer months may not provide the same benefits in the Fall. Switching up your skincare routine is essential for maintaining a healthy and radiant complexion throughout the seasonal transition. 

David Petrillo is a Nevada-based cosmetic chemist and founder of www.perfectimage.com. He's sharing his tips on how to keep your skin healthy and glowing as the season changes.

Consider Retinol: Fall can be an excellent time to introduce retinol into your routine, as it helps with cell turnover and addressing fine lines.

 

Lip Care: Prevent chapped lips using a nourishing lip balm with shea butter, beeswax, or coconut oil.

 

Eye Cream Emphasis: The delicate skin around your eyes can become drier. Use a hydrating eye cream to maintain elasticity and prevent fine lines.

 

Layer Skincare Products: Layer lighter serums and essences under richer moisturizers to provide a barrier against the dry, cold air while ensuring effective hydration.

 

Sunscreen Continuation: While the sun's intensity might decrease, UV rays are still present and can cause damage to your skin. Continue using broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to protect against harmful UV radiation.

 

Switch to a Heavier Night Cream: Use a richer night cream during the cooler months to nourish and repair your skin as you sleep.

Gentle Exfoliation: After months of sun exposure, exfoliation is essential to remove dead skin cells and promote skin renewal. Opt for gentle exfoliants to reveal a fresh layer of skin without irritating it.

 

Avoid Hot Showers: While hot showers might be tempting during the cooler months, they can strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, use lukewarm water to prevent excessive dryness.

 

Introduce a Hydrating Serum: Invest in a hydrating serum containing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture and combat the drying effects of cooler weather.

 

Protect Your Hands and Feet: As the temperature drops, your hands and feet can become susceptible to dryness and cracking. Apply a moisturizing hand cream and foot cream regularly to keep them soft and well-nourished.

Adjust Cleansing: Consider switching to cream-based or oil-based cleansers during the fall. These cleansers are more hydrating and can help prevent stripping away too much moisture from your skin. Avoid using harsh cleansers that can further dry out your skin.

 

Introduce new actives: Autumn may be a good time to introduce new active ingredients into your skincare routine . Look for ingredients like vitamin C or retinol to address specific skincare concerns.

 

Stay Hydrated

Hydrating your skin from the inside out is just as important as using topical products. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

 

Humidifier:

If you're using indoor heating during the fall, it can lead to dry indoor air. Using a humidifier can help maintain a more comfortable level of moisture in the air, which benefits your skin's hydration.

Soothing Ingredients:

If you experience any redness or irritation due to the changing weather, look for products with soothing ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or centella asiatica (cica) to calm your skin.

David Petrillo

          Reno, Nevada

               https://perfectimage.com/ 

 

David Petrillo graduated in 2007 with a degree in Chemistry from Missouri University before working as a cosmetics industry researcher. His experiences in the lab led him to found his own company, Perfect Image, with a vision of making medical-grade peels and other cosmetic products more affordable.

New Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balms with SPF 30 | Sienna Rose + Wild Peony

Burt's Bees just launched these gorgeous new tinted lip balms with SPF30 and non-nano zinc oxide. It's rare to find a tinted lip balm that contains an SPF but it's such a necessity! 

Burt's Bees tinted lip balms with SPF 30 contain hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, almond oil, and shea butter, to name a few. They are also formulated with a broad spectrum mineral SPF.

I'm definitely more of a tinted lip balm gal over lipstick, especially in the Summertime, but I also need an SPF to protect my lips... Burt's Bees has us covered!

I received the shades Sienna Rose and Wild Peony (swatches below). Wild Peony is my absolute favourite but I also like to mix the two. 

Both shades are beautiful, long-lasting, and keep my lips protected from UV rays. They come in your typical lip balm tube that twists up for easy application.  One of my favourite way to wear them is to layer them for a gorgeous MLBB (my lip but better) shade! 

Note: there is also a clear one for those who don't want to add any colour to their pout.

Left: Sienna Rose/ Right: Wild Peony

Here are the swatches of the 2 shades. As you can see, Sienna Rose is a very pigmented, beautiful rosy shade, so it could be worn in place of lipstick for daytime or even for an evening out. 

If you are like me and prefer a lighter, softer shade, you will probably love the shade Wild Peony. It's a light, sheer pink with a cooler undertone and I think it would suit many skin tones. 

I find that the shade Wild Peony, in particular, gives an overall youthful appearance to my face, so I absolutely love it and will purchase it when I finish this tube.

These fabulous lip balms keep my lips hydrated, protect them from UV rays, and give me a more youthful look! What more could a girl ask for!?

Available on Amazon.com, and most local drugstores.

Burt's Bees is a cruelty-free brand 🐰

                                                        

#truetonature

Samples were gifted for review consideration.

The Perfect No Makeup Eye Shadow Palette |GXVE Simple Kind Of Life Review

GXVE pronounced "GIVE" is a fairly new makeup line by Rocker, Gwen Stafani. When I spotted this gorgeous eye shadow palette by GXVE at Winner's for a fabulous price, I just had to try it. 

It contains 4 neutral matte shades in a sleek palette that contains a mirror and can easily be packed into your makeup bag. 

I have to admit since I purchased this palette, it is the only eye shadow palette that I've used! At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this palette and probably didn't need it. I mean I have plenty of neutral eye shadows already. But, I am so glad that I gave this palette a shot. It's the perfect eye shadow palette if you want a simple and natural eye look without having to give it much thought. With this one convenient palette, you can sculpt and highlight your eyes with ease.

What it is: A collection of highly pigmented, rich, buttery, blendable quad eyeshadow palettes, with four curated shades in each, made to customize for every occasion.

Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

What Else You Need to Know: These eyeshadow quads were color curated to easily create complete eye looks in just one palette—from everyday nude to amped up smoky. The blendable, creamy, no-crease formulas give ultra-rich color payoff in buttery, multidimensional finishes, and can be applied with fingers or brushes. The eyeshadows feature a clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formula.

This Palette Contains:
- 4 x 0.03 oz/ 1 g Eyeshadows

SRP $38

Simple Kind Of Life contains 4 matte neutral shades, perfect for contouring and highlighting the eyes. There is a warm shade, neural shade and cool tone shade.

I usually just grab my fluffy crease brush, choose the shade that I want to contour my eyes with that day and blend it out into the crease of my eyes. Then, I take the lighter shade to highlight the browbone and lid. Sometimes, I just use a crease shade without the lighter, highlight shade. 

The shades blend with ease and are buildable.  It's pretty much a foolproof palette. Which is another reason I love it so much. I can practically apply these shadows with my eyes closed 😆,  and literally have my eye makeup done in about a minute after shadow and Mascara. 

Love the sleek and compact palette. And, apparently, the pans can come out to replace shades or swap them out.

The 4 shades are: Faithful to Freedom, I was in Love, Covered in Shells, and Obsessed.

I actually use all 4 shades pretty much equally. It's rare for me to use all shades in an eyeshadow palette. Luckily, nothing goes to waste in this one!

The shadows are of great quality. They are buttery soft but do kick up a bit of the powder. Nothing that a tap of the brush can't fix. 

I 100% recommend this palette! Especially for anyone who loves their nude and neutral shades, as well as anyone looking for a quick and easy way to create a simple eye look. It's great for contouring the eye to create some depth, especially if you are like me and have hooded eyes. If you are looking to minimize your makeup routine, and if you love a no-makeup-makeup-look, you can't go wrong with this palette. 

Surprisingly, after using this palette for over a month now, I'm still not bored with it. I am definitely intrigued by this brand now and want to try more of their products!

#crueltyfree #vegan #cleanatsephora

                                                               

Comfy and Cozy with Heat Holders­® Scuff Slippers!

If there's one thing I hate, it's cold feet- in the literal sense of the word. My feet tend to run cold, especially with the air conditioning running all Summer long. 🥶 

I often reach for socks when my feet are chilly, but sometimes, especially in the summer, I want some warmth but also want my feet to be able to breathe. Plus, I want something that I'm able to slip on and off with ease, especially with hot flashes that I've been experiencing. This is where Heat Holders Scuff Slippers came to save the day!

Heat Holders® is now making functional slippers–the perfect pairing to their thermal socks. Keep scrolling to learn more.

Heat Holders® Women's Scuff Slippers feel super soft, comfy and cozy thanks to the amazingly soft and cushioned interior with the HeatWeaver® lining. This special lining also keeps my feet nice and warm without getting too hot. When it's extra cold though, I can also pair them with my Heat Holders® socks when needed, which will also prolong the life of my socks.

I typically wear a women's size 9 (US) shoe and the women's 9-10 fit me perfectly, so I would say that they are true to size.

The slippers mould to my feet and they move with me when I walk thanks to their flexibility. I love the style as they are very versatile and seem to go with everything from Pjs, shorts, and leggings, you name it!  The neutral colours give them that minimal and classic look that will suit anyone of any age.

The Scuff Slippers are flexible yet sturdy thanks to the soft quilted upper and sturdy thermoplastic rubber sole.

Description from Heat Holders:

The new Heat Holders® Women's Scuff Slipper provides warmth and great comfort, both inside and around the home. They are also perfect companions for your Heat Holders® socks.

The quilted upper fabric, in conjunction with a luxurious fur-like HeatWeaver® lining, maximizes warmth and softness. The scuff design maximizes convenience.

The durable outsole and multi-layered foam inner sole are comfortable, supportive, and provide cushioning for your feet. A good choice for the traveller, Heat Holders® Scuff Slippers even include a handy corded backpack.

Heat Holders® slippers are also designed for wearing with our class-leading thermal socks, and can help greatly prolong the life of your socks when worn on more abrasive surfaces.

A Men's version is also available.

• Upper: 100% polyester; Lining & Filling: 100% polyester; Outer Sole: thermoplastic rubber
• Quilted upper fabric provides exceptional softness
• Durable sole construction enhances traction
• Multi-layered foam inner sole for superior comfort, support, and cushioning
• Fur-like HeatWeaver® lining maximizes warmth and softness
• Helps prolong the life of your socks
• Convenient and comfortable scuff design
• Packable for easy travel use; corded backpack included

The sturdy rubber sole makes it so they can be worn indoors as well as outdoors.  Perfect to run to the mailbox or take your furbaby out for a quick walk. 

I love that Heat Holder® offers these slippers for both men and women. There are also other styles available that are just as fabulous!

Each pair of slippers come with this fabulous drawstring bag that is perfect to pack up your slippers with ease and take them on the go anytime you wish.

The Women's Scuff Slippers featured in this post are available in black and khaki. They are available in Women's sizes 5-12, and Men's sizes 7-14. They retail for only $24.99 USD which is such a great price for fashionable and quality slippers that will stand the test of time. I think they'd also make a great gift for a loved one who could use some comfy and cozy in their life.

Heat Holders is currently available on Amazon, Target, Walmart, and the Heat Holders® website. 

To learn more, visit https://www.heatholders.com/

About Heat Holders

Internationally recognized as the world’s warmest socks, Heat Holders® socks are over 7x warmer than regular cotton socks and 3x warmer than ordinary thermal socks. Heat Holders® are specially developed with cashmere-like acrylic yarn which provides high performance insulation against the cold with superior moisture wicking abilities. Available in 3 different warmth profiles— ORIGINAL™, LITE™ & ULTRA LITE™, like thermostats for your feet!

PR sample kindly gifted for review consideration. All opinions are our own.

Dollar Tree Beauty Haul | See What’s New!

There is no doubt, Dollar Tree is one of the most fun places to shop! Whether you need to stock up on necessities or want to search the store for some fun and exciting finds, you can't go wrong when everything is only $1.50! 

I regularly shop there for groceries, storage and organization, craft supplies, party supplies, books, and beauty.

In this post, I want to share with you my latest beauty finds from the Dollar Tree. All of these items were purchased in the last week, so hopefully you can find them as well if you are interested in any of them. I know a lot of things can come and go quite quickly, while other items are regularly stocked.

I actually made a few trips to the same Dollar Tree as I kept realizing that I needed to go back for an item that I left behind and I would end up finding more goodies. 

On this trip, I found some great beauty buys, including some face masks by Ponds. I decided to start with the Skin Firming Serum Mask first and see how I like it. 

The Skin Firming Serum Mask is formulated with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and brown algae extract. 1 sheet = 30X serum intesity. It is made in Korea and has an expiry date of 01/2024.

I am wearing this mask as I write this post. The instructions say to wear it for 15 minutes. By the time I finish this post, I will be able to update this post with my first impression. 

First Impression: So far, it's like your typical sheet mask. It is loaded with a lot of serum and therefore a bit difficult to unravel, no different from other similar sheet masks. Once I removed the mask, there was quite a bit of serum left. I massaged the remaining serum into my skin but it left a sticky film behind. Immediately, I don't notice any firming but I do like the ingredients and I would purchase this mask again. You'd definitely want to use this one at night because it is sticky and takes some time to dry down.

Update: once it dried down, I do feel a firming effect and it remains a tad sticky. 

This full-size hair brush by Expressions is a fabulous score for only $1.50! It has a hook for hanging it in the shower and it's actually much gentler on my hair than my more expensive Wet Brush. I highly recommend this find! I mean where else can you get something of this quality for only $1.50!?

I don't use face wipes too often anymore, but I do like to keep some on hand for those lazy nights when I'm not up for a proper face cleansing. These Purifying wipes by Incredibly Clean are infused with Micellar and rose water. I like these much better than the Sassy + Chic wipes that I have purchased at the Dollar Tree in the past. I find the Incredibly Clean wipes to be much softer and gentler on my skin. They are nicely saturated and do a great job at cleansing for a face wipe and my skin is left super soft. The only thing I'm not a fan of is that it does contain fragrance, but for occasional use, I'm okay with that. You get 25 wipes for $1.50 and there were many versions to choose from.

I have purchased many other skin products and tools that I love that didn't make this post as they were purchased a while ago. Perhaps I will do beauty favourites from the Dollar Tree post. Some of these include makeup eraser dupes, silicone cleansing brush, as well as cotton pads.

This 10x  magnification mirror by Bodico is perfect for getting up close and personal with my skin. I can finally see those pesky, random little hairs that need to be dealt with as well as how my pores and skin are really doing. The suction cups on the back are small but have a powerful suction so it is held in place very securely. 

Billie Clear Adhesive Lash glue is a repurchase for me. It works well and doesn't irritate my eyes. I see no reason to spend more on lash glue at this point. You just can't go wrong for $1.50!

I cleaned out my hair accessories earlier in the week and let go of the ones that I didn't like anymore or no longer used. I decided that if I came across any hair accessories at the Dollar Tree that I liked, I would replenish my collection and treat myself- this is what triggered my visit to the Dollar Tree in the first place.

They had so many fun accessories to choose from. I love that they carry the name-brand, Scunci, which is carried at many major retailers and pharmacies here for way more than $1.50. The quality of the claw clips shown above are fabulous and they are just the right size and very comfortable to wear. I actually went back and got 2 more!

Top: Nucolor 907 (favourite!), Nucolor 912, Nucolor 909 

Bottom: Kozmic Colours (no shade found), LA Colors Vivid Blooms

I also replenished some of my nail polishes. You can't go wrong to try a fun new nail colour for only $1.50. They even have some mini sizes in a 3-pack. 

Nucolor 907 is my favourite so far, it's a sheer pink with some tiny flecks of glitter that just make it look like something special on my nails, the glitter is barely detectable. I use 2 coats which dry rather quickly. I love that when this colour wears off, it isn't obvious at all. It also comes off very easily with nail polish remover. The only thing I am not a fan of is that it doesn't feel very smooth on my nails, it's a little rough, but I'll take it because I love it that much!

Nucolor 912 is like a soft pistachio green shade. I am not a fan of the colour green in general but this shade was rather soft and unique, so I decided to give it a try since it was only $1.50. I'm not the biggest fan of this shade on me but I'll have fun with it for a while. At least it is a sheer formula so it's on the softer side.

Nucolor 909 is a beautiful navy blue with a purple/gold colour shift. It's on the sheer side which is quite nice. 

Kozmic Colors doesn't have a shade name or number. It's a beautiful cool toned lilac shade. This one is more of your typical cream consistency and is so pretty on the nails.

LA Colors Vivid Blooms is a glitter polish with large and small glitters, including silver, coral, and a very sparkly greenish/ turquoise shade. I rarely get the coral colour on the brush but it's still pretty and a fabulous price, especially since it came with a small container of nail gems! 

The Dollar Tree is always a fun place to shop where you never know what treasures you will find. With the cost of living constantly rising, it's nice to know that you can still treat yourself to a little retail therapy even if you are on a tight budget. I had so much fun shopping for these items and even more fun using them. The next time I need a little retail therapy, Dollar Tree will be top of my list.