FemiLift vs MonaLisa Touch, Thermiva and other vaginal tightening treatments
Posted on 7th June 2019
Below we look at the differences between FemiLift—a carbon dioxide laser treatment—and other popular procedures for vaginal rejuvenation.
Key treatment options
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser | Radiofrequency (RF) energy |
|---|---|
| For best results Three treatments, 4–6 weeks apart | For best results Three treatments, 4–6 weeks apart (except for Viveve, which requires only one session and then yearly top-ups to maintain results) |
| Top-up treatments One every 12–18 months | Top-up treatments One every 6–12 months |
| How long results last on average One year | How long results last on average One year |
If you want to find out more about how CO2 lasers and RF devices compare, read our page Carbon dioxide laser or radiofrequency energy—which is the best option for vaginal rejuvenation?
What is FemiLift?
FemiLift uses a CO2 laser to heat the tissue in the vaginal walls as a way of stimulating collagen growth and rejuvenating the vagina. This process improves the quality of the vaginal wall tissue and helps to improve symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, vaginal soreness and dryness.
You can find out more about the procedure and view patient videos and testimonials on our FemiLift vaginal rejuvenation page.
Does FemiLift work?
According to a report by RealSelf, 94% of women who have had the treatment say it’s worth it.
Dr Rekha Tailor has been offering FemiLift treatments to patients for over four years at the Health & Aesthetics clinic in Surrey and has received very positive feedback from patients, many of whom describe the treatment as ‘life-changing’.
You can read more about the positive results women have experienced after having this treatment, and see results from clinical trials, on the page FemiLift results, reviews and the results you can expect.
FemiLift vs MonaLisa Touch
The MonaLisa Touch procedure is similar to FemiLift in that it uses a CO2 laser to stimulate collagen growth in the tissue of the vaginal walls.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that FemiLift is better able to distribute the energy from the CO2 laser and is more effective at treating stress urinary incontinence.
FemiLift is more versatile as the device is equipped with different adapters, one of which can be used to treat the vulva.
| Femilift | MonaLisa Touch | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | CO2 laser |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £1,500 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 5 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxity | Pain during intercourseRecurring bacterial vaginosisStress urinary incontinenceVaginal atrophyVaginal laxity |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight redness, swelling, or some discomfort that usually resolves itself a few days after treatment |
Does MonaLisa Touch work?
According to the MonaLisa Touch website, over 90% of patients are satisfied with the treatment.
At RealSelf, 92% of patients who have had the treatment say it’s worth it. Dr. Lara Devgan, plastic surgeon and RealSelf’s chief medical officer, says that although the FDA hasn’t approved the claims that are routinely made about the benefits of MonaLisa Touch, the treatment “works well anecdotally and in clinical practice”.
FemiLift vs Thermiva
Thermiva uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat the tissue in the vaginal wall and the outer tissue of the labia. The heat stimulates blood flow and encourages the tissue to build collagen.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that FemiLift is able to treat stress urinary incontinence more safely. This is because the heat from FemiLift’s CO2 laser doesn’t penetrate as deeply as the radiofrequency energy Thermiva uses.
Another key difference is that Thermiva’s RF technology means there’s no downtime. After FemiLift, however, you must abstain from sex and from using tampons for three days.
| Femilift | Thermiva | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | RF energy |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £750* |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Painful intercourseReduced sensation in the vaginaVaginal drynessVaginal irritation and frequent infectionThe same device can also be used to tighten the labia |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | None |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight cramping and tenderness for a few days after procedure |
*Cost taken from this article
Does Thermiva work?
According to a RealSelf report, 91% of patients who have had the treatment say it’s worth it. The treatment has had 137 five-star reviews on Real Patient Ratings.
FemiLift vs diVa
diVa is a hybrid laser that generates energy from two different wavelengths to treat different depths of vaginal tissue.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that diVa uses lasers of two different wavelengths—one that works by ablation (the process of damaging tissue in order for it to heal) and one that doesn’t—to treat not only the surface tissue, but also the tissue that’s folded up in the vaginal wall.
FemiLift, however, uses just one type of energy to treat surface tissue. This means diVa penetrates more deeply than FemiLift.
Another key difference is that diVa is more painful than CO2 treatments such as Femilift. For this reason, your practitioner will apply topical (local) anaesthetic to your vagina before the treatment.
| Femilift | diVa | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | Hybrid laser |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £1,150 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 5 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Painful intercourseUrinary incontinenceVaginal laxity |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex and tampons for 48 hours after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight discharge, spotting, itching and mild cramping a few days after treatment |
Does diVa work?
According to a RealSelf report, 98% of women who have had the surgery said it was worth it. The treatment also has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on the website Real Patient Ratings.
FemiLift vs CO2RE Intima
CO2RE Intima uses CO2 laser technology and works in a similar way to FemiLift.
How is it different to FemiLift?
| Femilift | CO2RE Intima | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | CO2 laser |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £1,300 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 15 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Appearance of outer vaginaDrynessStress urinary incontinence |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex and tampons for seven days after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight swelling, discharge and spotting for a few days after treatment |
Does Co2re Intima work?
Co2re Intima has a 100% worth-it rating on RealSelf, which means every woman who had the treatment feels it was worthwhile. However, bear in mind this rating is based on just eight reviews.
FemiLift Vs FemTouch
FemTouch uses CO2 laser technology to improve the texture of the vaginal walls. It works in a similar way to FemiLift.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that FemTouch uses a more powerful laser than FemiLift and the machine has more options for providing more customised treatment.
| Femilift | FemTouch | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | CO2 laser |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £1,255 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 5 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Discomfort during intercourseAppearance of labia and outer vaginaLaxityStress urinary incontinenceVaginal dryness |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight discharge, spotting, itching, redness, swelling and tenderness for a few days after treatment |
Does FemTouch work?
FemTouch has a 100% worth-it review on RealSelf, which means every woman who has had the treatment believes it was worthwhile. However, this rating is based on 12 reviews only.
FemiLift vs Viveve
Viveve (formerly called Geneveve) is a vaginal rejuvenation treatment that uses RF energy to stimulate collagen growth by heating deep layers of vaginal tissue.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that FemiLift is able to treat stress urinary incontinence more safely, as the heat from its laser doesn’t penetrate as deeply as the radiofrequency energy Viveve uses.
Another key difference is that Viveve patients only need one session. People who undergo FemiLift (and all other CO2 laser or RF treatments), however, require around three initial sessions to achieve the best possible results.
How is it different to ThermiVa?
The cryogenic cooling technology Viveve uses cools the delicate surface tissue of the vaginal canal while heating the deeper tissue. ThermiVa, on the other hand, doesn’t use this cooling technology, which means it’s more uncomfortable than Viveve.
| Femilift | Viveve | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | RF energy |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £2,150 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 45 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Stress urinary incontinenceVaginal drynessVaginal laxity |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex and using tampons for 48 hours after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Mild cramping, spotting and discharge for one or two days after treatment |
Is Viveve worth it?
Viveve vaginal rejuvenation has a ‘worth it’ rating of 92% on the RealSelf website, based on 42 reviews.
FemiLift vs IntimaLase
IntimaLase uses photothermal lasers to tighten the vaginal canal. Similar to how a CO2 laser works, IntimaLase’s Er:YAG laser emits a wavelength of high-energy light to create heat and destroy skin cells to stimulate the growth of new tissue.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that the IntimaLase laser has a shorter wavelength, so it can’t penetrate tissue as deeply as CO2 lasers.
Using Er:YAG lasers to treat symptoms such as vaginal laxity is a relatively new treatment. CO2 lasers such as FemiLift, however, have been used to treat symptoms such as these for many years.
For best results, two sessions of IntimaLase are recommended. With FemiLift and other CO2 lasers, patients usually require three initial sessions.
| Femilift | IntimaLase | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | Er:YAG laser therapy |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £750 (approx. cost)* |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Stress urinary incontinenceVaginal relaxation syndrome (VRS)—laxity of the vaginal wall |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | Speak to your practitioner |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex for three to seven days after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight discharge, mild swelling and redness for a few days after treatment |
*Cost taken from this website and converted to sterling
Does IntimaLase work?
IntimaLase vaginal rejuvenation treatment has a 100% ‘worth it’ review on the RealSelf website. However, this is based on just eight patient reviews.
In one clinical review, 20 out of the 21 patients who took part “reported significant (moderate and strong) improvement of their vaginal tightness” and concluded that “IntimaLase is an effective and safe method for the treatment of vaginal relaxation syndrome”.
FemiLift vs Ultra Femme 360
Ultra Femme 360:
- tightens and raises the labia and outer areas of the vagina
- tightens the vaginal canal to improve laxity and lubrication
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that Ultra Femme 360 uses radiofrequency and ultrasound to treat the vagina whereas FemiLift is a CO2 laser treatment.
The 360-degree design of the Ultra Femme 360 probe means it’s able to treat the entire vaginal wall without having to be rotated. This makes the procedure quicker than those that use other radiofrequency devices.
| Femilift | Ultra Femme 360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | RF energy |
| Cost (one treatment) | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £1,450 (average cost) |
| Time (one treatment) | About 15 minutes | About 8 minutes (treatment inside the vagina)20 minutes (treatment outside the vagina) |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Dryness and itchingAppearance of labia and outer vaginaMild stress urinary incontinenceReduced sensation during sexVaginal laxity |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | None |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Mild redness and tenderness for a few days after treatment |
Does Ultra Femme 360 work?
According to the RealSelf website, 93% of women who have had the treatment say it’s worth it.
FemiLift vs Votiva
Votiva uses RF energy to stimulate collagen growth. This tightens the vaginal walls and helps make the vagina less dry and lax.
How is it different to FemiLift?
The main difference is that Votiva uses RF energy and FemiLift uses a CO2 laser. This means FemiLift is a safer treatment for stress urinary incontinence as the heat from its CO2 laser doesn’t penetrate as deeply as the RF device Votiva uses.
Another difference is that the same Votiva device can treat the labia and vulva, whereas FemiLift requires a different applicator.
| Femilift | Votiva | |
|---|---|---|
| Technology used | CO2 laser | RF energy |
| Cost | £1,250 at Health & Aesthetics | £750 (approx. cost)* |
| Time | About 15 minutes | About 10–30 minutes |
| What it treats | Menopausal symptoms including dryness and painStress urinary incontinenceVaginal laxityTreats vaginal dryness, irritation and infection | Vaginal laxityStress urinary incontinenceDrynessAppearance of labia and outer vagina |
| Downtime | You can immediately resume your normal routine | You can immediately resume your normal routine |
| Aftercare | Avoid sex, tampons and submerging your body in water for three days after treatment | Avoid sex and using tampons for four days after treatment |
| Side effects | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment | Slight discharge for a few days after treatment |
Does Votiva work?
Most women who have had Votiva treatment have been satisfied with the results—according to the RealSelf website, 96% of patients have said the treatment is worth it.
Prices are taken from the average cost based on reviews submitted by members of the RealSelf website, unless otherwise stated. The prices included in the comparison tables may not include consultation fees and are designed to give you an overview of what you could expect to pay for the treatment. Costs will vary depending on your provider and the number of treatments you have.
To find out more about FemiLift vaginal tightening laser treatment, click here to return to our FemiLift advice centre.
