What Happens Next? Understanding How LS May Change Over Time
A diagnosis of Lichen Sclerosus often comes with more questions than answers — especially when it comes to the future. Will it get worse? Will it go away? What happens if I stop treatment? These are all valid concerns, and it’s important to have honest, compassionate guidance.
This chapter is designed to help you understand what to expect in the months and years ahead, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Is LS a Progressive Condition?
Lichen Sclerosus is considered a chronic and potentially progressive condition. This means it tends to persist long term and may change over time — especially without consistent treatment.
However, progression is not inevitable. With the right management, many people achieve long-term symptom control and maintain a good quality of life.
What Might Change Over Time?
Without proper treatment, LS can lead to:
- Thinning or shrinking of vulval tissue
- Fusion of the labia minora
- Narrowing of the vaginal opening (introital stenosis)
- Loss of clitoral hood or reduced sensation
- Scarring or white, thickened plaques
These changes can affect comfort, intimacy, and emotional wellbeing. That’s why ongoing care and early intervention matter.
The Good News: You Have Control
With the right approach, most people can:
- Stabilise their symptoms
- Prevent structural damage
- Improve skin quality
- Maintain or even restore comfort and confidence
This is especially true when combining evidence-based treatments like topical steroids with regenerative therapies and vulval self-care.
Will I Always Need Treatment?
Because LS is chronic, maintenance treatment is often recommended — even after symptoms improve. This usually means applying a mild steroid (like clobetasol) once or twice a week to prevent flare-ups and progression.
Think of it like brushing your teeth. It’s a small act of care that prevents bigger problems later on.
What About Remission?
Some people do experience periods of remission — months or even years where symptoms reduce or disappear. But remission doesn’t always mean the condition has gone away.
For this reason, it’s important to continue some form of maintenance even when you’re symptom-free.
Monitoring Changes
It’s helpful to:
- Check your vulva monthly with a mirror, noting any new changes in skin colour, shape, or texture
- Track your symptoms and flare-ups
- Attend regular check-ups, especially if you’ve had moderate to severe LS
If you notice any new patches, thickening, bleeding, or lesions that don’t heal, speak to your doctor. These changes may need further investigation.
Looking Ahead With Confidence
While LS is long-term, it does not have to control your life. The key is consistent care, open communication with your healthcare team, and a willingness to adapt your routine as your body changes.
You are not powerless. You are informed, equipped, and supported.
In the next chapter, we’ll explore what to do if LS progresses — and how to face that possibility with strength and options, not fear.
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Dr. Shirin is a fully-trained and highly-experienced aesthetic physician, who works diligently to ensure a 5 star quality service, and brings an honest and ethical approach to every one of our clients. With over 20 years of experience in the medical field, including several years as a GP and a sub-speciality in anaesthetics, Dr. Shirin is fascinated by the harmony between medicine and aesthetics, and with her expertise, Elite Aesthetics is able to offer effective, doctor-led treatments to vastly improve the lives of our clients.
To find out more about how we’ve put a smile on customers faces in the past, read our testimonials below for first-hand accounts of a variety of our treatments. You can also find out more about what we think at Elite on our blog, as well as reading more about what the press says about us. Our delighted clients hail from areas including Greenhithe, Dartford, Gravesend, Bromley, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and West Malling – as well as from further afield.
Had a consultation with Elite yesterday, I must say I was a bit nervous, but Dr Shirin was so friendly and helpful.
I was given lots of advice and was given treatment options that were within my budget.
A few weeks after the P Shot I've really started to see a difference and have gained my confidence back.
Thank You!
Elite is an outstanding professional clinic with high standard treatments. All the staff members are friendly and offer you honest opinions when it comes to products and treatments. This is a welcoming clinic that I can 100% recommend. Treatments are spoken through and explained in detail, also aftercare. I have been going nearly a year now and am happy with all the treatments I’ve had, wouldn't go anywhere else. The Bocox treatment started to work within a few days, which I was surprised about. So glad I went to Elite for treatment.
Thank you Dr Shirin, the O Shot has really helped me with my Lichen Sclerosus. I'd heard about the treatment on the LS Facebook Groups and message a few people that had treatment with Dr Shirin. I was like many in the group who had run out of treatment options and using creams on a daily basis. I have to say a few months after treatment, I can see a real positive change and I'm hoping my LS will continue to improve. Dr Shirin did say that I might have to have a second treatment given how severe my case is.
A great discovery in the neighbourhood ! There is no need to go up to London for a beauty treatment of any kind. You'll find a whole range of different treatments suiting all age groups and concerns. Welcoming, reassuring, friendly, professional, high tech. I shall be back for more. I love the results of the Thread Lift I had.
Great service as always, skin is glowing very happy
Very happy with the result of my recent visit. For sure will continue with Elite in future
I have been very happy with the care and attention you have received from Dr Shirin.. I would definitely recommend Elite to my family and friends.
Dr Shirins professional approach fills you with confidence. The clinic is modern and efficiently run. They certainly do their utmost to help and advise their clients. I am 100% satisfied that I made the right decision in choosing Elite Aesthetics !
thank you again for my follow up appointment to make sure i was ok and there was no life changing affects from the mess I had done else where how a midwife and beautician can inject and leave customers the way they did is unreal the mess my lips where in and the amount of lumps left was so bad and although there still not perfect Dr shirin managed to massage a lot of the lumps out so not only has she done my previous practitioners job with that but she also cares about the wellbeing of her customers I just wish I had got to Dr shirin to start with con not thank her enough
Great clinic, lovely, clean and modern. Charlotte was excellent, knowledgeable about the treatment whilst also friendly. The facial itself was very enjoyable and my skin looks and feels tighter and smoother. If highly recommend.
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Accreditations
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We have extensive knowledge and experience in the medical and aesthetics industries, but we know that above all, the results matter! All of our treatments are vigorously tested in-house before we offer them to our clients to ensure they are safe, effective and will give you, our wonderful clients, the results you want. Your happiness, well-being and satisfaction are at the very core of everything we do here at Elite Aesthetics, and as a result we will never over-treat or carry out a procedure that Dr. Shirin, deems inappropriate or unsafe. Ethical treatment guides our practice, and we aim to become an industry leader in this respect. This means you can always feel confident that you are in safe hands when you choose Elite Aesthetics.
Our practice is led by our founder, Dr. Shirin Lakhani, who is an advocate for greater regulation in the aesthetics industry. Dr. Shirin and Elite Aesthetics believe greater regulation is vital to the development of aesthetics industry as a whole, and as such, our clinic’s philosophy is based on providing doctor-led care to the highest, medically approved standards. We adhere to stringent ethical and medical principles ensuring all the procedures we offer are safe and effective. Dr. Shirin is also fully registered with the GMC (reference number 4634863), and Elite Aesthetics is CQC (Care Quality Commission) Registered, an endorsement recognised by the UK Government, The Department of Health and NHS England.
Elite Aesthetics has been awarded PDO Thread Lift Certification by MINT Threads.
