Low Level Laser for Relief from Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus (VLS)

Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic, inflammatory condition that affects the skin of the vulva, and sometimes the area around the anus.
While it’s often called a ‘skin condition,’ for many women, it affects much more than their skin. VLS can cause burning, itching, painful intimacy, changes in the skin’s appearance, and deep emotional distress. It can also result in fusion or adhesions that can occur when areas of the vulva, such as the labia minora (inner lips), stick to the labia majora (outer lips) and it can impact the clitoral hood. So as you can see this is not a simple ‘skin condition’.

It’s a nightmare that few really understand…sitting for long periods can hurt, wearing jeans can hurt…even underwear can be an irritant to your delicate tissues.

VLS tends to appear at two main times in life, during childhood (before puberty) and after menopause. Hormonal changes, combined with immune factors, seem to play a major role. For too long, treatment options have been limited to strong steroid creams and for many women, that hasn’t been enough.

Today, there’s a growing sense of hope. Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or red light therapy, is emerging as a gentle, non-invasive option for symptom relief.

How Does Low Level Laser Work?

PBM uses red and near-infrared light to support healing at the cellular level.
Think of it like giving your skin's cells a much-needed boost - more energy to calm inflammation, reduce pain, and help tissues repair naturally.

This isn’t like CO₂ laser treatments. There’s no burning, no cutting, and no downtime. Just gentle, therapeutic light applied to the affected area for a few minutes at a time, over a series of sessions.

It’s a quiet, supportive process just helping your body do what it’s built to do: heal.

What Does the Research Say about Red Light Therapy and VLS?

A study from Denmark followed 94 women with VLS who hadn’t gotten enough relief from steroid treatments. After ten sessions of low-level laser therapy (using an 808 nm wavelength), researchers found:

• Pain levels dropped significantly.

• Sleep improved.

• Energy increased.

• Emotional wellbeing improved.

Even better, no serious side effects were reported.

Women simply felt better, and that made all the difference.

Low Level Laser increases anti-inflammatory cytokines, reduces DNA damage, inflammation and oxidative stress.

Is It a Cure?

While PBM isn’t a cure for VLS, it offers real, meaningful symptom relief. Many women felt more comfortable, slept better, and enjoyed life more fully after completing treatment. Because VLS can sometimes return over time, some women choose occasional maintenance treatments to help keep symptoms under control.

Why It Matters

Vulvar lichen sclerosus can take so much away, confidence, comfort, sleep and intimacy. You deserve to feel good in your body - and we’re here to help.

If you’d like to learn more about how PBM could support your healing journey, connect with me today.

At Solasta, we believe women deserve more options, and more hope.

Photobiomodulation therapy offers a safe, gentle path forward for women who are looking for more than creams and more than just coping.