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Health on Female First
Pick the right underwear
"It is completely natural for the intimate area to produce odorous discharge and sweat, but some women can feel embarrassed.
One way to keep things fresh is by selecting the right underwear; cotton is most definitely the fabric your vagina prefers as it breathes and absorbs moisture. And going commando every so often is actually very healthy because it helps air get to your intimate areas.
Using a deodorising product such as SASS Freshness Gel (£10) provides long lasting scent protection while also maintaining intimate harmony and skin hydration. With a subtle fragrance, it offers all day protection to keep intimate skin refreshed and cleansed. Never use standard deodorants on your vagina, and always check that the products you use are pH balanced."
Keep yourself balanced
"A super-sugary diet, taking antibiotics, periods, and having sex all leave your vagina susceptible to infections such as thrush and BV. The vagina contains lots of good bacteria (lactobacilli) which help to keep the vagina's pH balance at an even, healthy level. However, if the balance of bacteria is off-kilter this can result in embarrassing and uncomfortable infections, which can cause symptoms including itching, irritation and abnormal discharge. Using condoms, eating the right diet, and cleansing before and after sex can all help with this.
If you feel like you are on the cusp of such an infection SASS Intimate pH Balance Serum (30ml £12) soothes, calms, and rebalances irritated skin. It is the first intimate probiotic to actively help prevent infections like thrush and BV and help treat the symptoms of an existing infection whilst being completely safe for internal use. In user trials, 89% of women said that the serum soothed irritation, relieved discomfort and made them feel rebalanced - so it's a must for every woman's bathroom cabinet. "
Listen to your body
"You're about to embark on a sexy weekend away with your partner, but your vagina didn't quite get the memo! Many do not realise that they can experience vaginal dryness at any age, particularly if you are on medication such as antihistamines, anti-depressants, or the pill. It can also occur after pregnancy or just before menopause. If this does happen there is no need to panic, it's totally normal. Just make sure you're properly lubricated, in order to avoid unnecessary pain.
SASS Intimate Dryness Gel (30ml £12) is the only vaginal dryness relief gel that can be applied manually to provide instant and long-lasting relief and hydration. Many products exist but women choose not to buy them either because of their clinical and unattractive looking names and packaging or because they are too embarrassed to buy them, so they resort to sex lubes instead, which are easier to use but ineffective at solving the problem as they quickly dry out the skin and become sticky."
Gym bag essentials
"Another place you could be putting your vaginal health at risk is at the gym, especially if you love spinning class. If you're a frequent gym-goer or spinner, you could start to experience genital numbness and pain - not to mention general itching and inflammation. Try wearing padded shorts to keep your vagina saddle-sore free during your cycling workout, and it's also worth investing in a barrier cream such as SASS Intimate Protection Barrier Cream (100ml £16).
Designed to be used pre-sport/workout to protect delicate intimate skin before the exercise begins, SASS Intimate Barrier Protection Cream is the first intimate barrier cream that not only reduces skin friction but also provides ultra-hydration for the skin to maintain top class performance. Post workout, use the SASS Intimate Recovery Serum (100ml £14) to soothe, cool and moisturise whilst also providing antimicrobial protection against skin imbalances."
Use the correct cleanser
"Your new scented shower gel maybe be gorgeous, but don't put it anywhere near your genitals. Regular soap can be really irritating to the sensitive skin around your vagina and cause all sorts of problems so stick with a gentle, pH balanced cleanser.
SASS Intimate Purifying Cleanser (100ml £7) is the only intimate wash that is both internally and externally safe to use. This cleanser maintains intimate harmony through its probiotic action promoting good bacteria and inhibiting other microbes that lead to thrush and BV."
Prepare to bare!
"The more often you shave or wax, the more likely you are to suffer with irritating ingrown hairs (when hair grows along instead of up, and curls back into the skin). Even though they are not generally a serious problem, ingrown hairs can result in unsightly bumps and often become itchy and uncomfortable, or even worse, infected and painful. The SASS Intimate Soothe and Smooth Shave Gel (100ml £10) is the only formula suitable for intimate/internal use. It's also a clear gel so that you can see exactly where you're shaving to avoid nicks and cuts, pH balanced to keep skin healthy and inhibit bad bacteria, and a unique moisturising formula to help prevent embarrassing and itchy ingrown hairs.
Recommended for use after waxing or shaving SASS Intimate Perfect Skin Concentrate (100ml £12) is the only serum on the market suitable for intimate/internal use and has a unique formulation to protect against skin imbalances, moisturise and soothe the delicate bikini area and prevent ingrown hairs and hair re-growth."
Stay fresh in spite of fashion
"Unfortunately, fashion can also be a major culprit when it comes to problems with vaginal health. Skinny jeans, tights, leggings, and skirts and shorts in non-breathable fabrics can all cause sweat and warmth to build up around the intimate area, which can cause odour, or lead to even further vaginal health issues.
Ensure you regularly let air to your intimate area, perhaps after a bath or shower, and alternate your wardrobe between tight-fitting and loose-fitting clothing. Make sure you freshen up during the day with the SASS Intimate Refreshing Mist (30ml £8) which can be used anytime, anywhere to instantly refresh the intimate area."
Avoid celebrity fads
"The problem with faddy treatments favoured by celebrities such as vaginal steaming is that steam doesn't differentiate between good and bad bacteria present in and around the vagina. These good bacteria help to keep the vagina's pH balance level, and produce bacteriocins (naturally occurring antibiotics) to reduce or kill harmful bacteria entering the vagina.
Without the presence of enough good bacteria, embarrassing and uncomfortable infections such as Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) or thrush can occur. Using a pH balanced cleanser every day such as SASS Purifying Cleanser (which uses probiotics to maintain balance through promoting good bacteria and preventing bad bacteria) is enough to keep the vagina clean and healthy without the need for steaming!"
Eat a balanced diet
"Eating a balanced diet which includes lots of fruit and vegetables, and pro-biotic yoghurt naturally replenishes the body's bacteria. Yogurt has the same kind of "good" bacteria your vagina needs to stay healthy and is a great way to both prevent and treat yeast infections.
SASS Intimate pH Balance Serum (30ml £12) also soothes, calms, and rebalances irritated skin. It is the first intimate probiotic to actively help prevent infections like thrush and BV and help treat the symptoms of an existing infection whilst being completely safe for internal use."
By Mark Curry, Health Expert and co-founder of SASS.
All products available at Boots stores and Boots.com.