Frequently Asked Questions about the Liquenia® Treatment
These are the questions we receive most often in our clinic and by email. We answer them with the same clarity as we would in person.
About the procedure
What exactly is the Liquenia® Treatment?
The Liquenia® Treatment is a regenerative medical protocol developed specifically for vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS). It combines two elements obtained from the patient herself—nanofat and stromal vascular fraction (SVF), both derived from her adipose tissue—to act on inflammation and promote tissue regeneration. It is not an aesthetic treatment adapted for VLS: it is a clinical protocol developed, researched, and published specifically for this disease.
Is clobetasol used for life?
The entire procedure lasts approximately 90 minutes, including preparation, adipose tissue extraction, processing the material in a closed system, and infiltration into the vulvar area.
Does it require hospitalization?
No. It is an outpatient major surgery procedure: it is performed in a private hospital operating room, under general anesthesia, and you will be discharged the same day. After the intervention, you will remain in recovery for 2 to 3 hours until your complete recuperation. It requires prior fasting, coming accompanied, and not driving afterward.
Does it hurt?
No. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia: you will remain asleep and will not feel pain or discomfort during the intervention. In the following days, there may be slight discomfort in the donor and vulvar areas, similar to a bruise, which subsides with paracetamol.
How many sessions are necessary?
In most patients, a single session is sufficient to obtain significant and sustained improvement. If, during the 12-month follow-up, it is considered that a second session would provide additional benefit, we evaluate it on an individual basis.
What type of anesthesia is used?
General anesthesia. The Liquenia® Treatment is always performed in a private hospital operating room, under general anesthesia: you will remain asleep throughout the procedure and will not feel any pain or discomfort. This is a deliberate clinical decision, because the vulvar area is extraordinarily sensitive, and working on it with the patient awake would compromise technical precision. It requires prior fasting, coming accompanied, and not driving afterward.
About the results
When are results noticed?
The first improvements are usually seen between 4 and 8 weeks. The response is progressive—it is not an immediate change, but a gradual improvement of symptoms such as itching, burning, and dyspareunia. The full evaluation is carried out at 3 and 12 months.
Does the Liquenia® Treatment cure lichen sclerosus?
No. Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic disease of autoimmune origin—it has no cure in the sense of permanent elimination of the underlying predisposition. The Liquenia® Treatment significantly improves symptoms, produces favorable histological changes, and improves quality of life, but it does not eliminate the disease. Most patients still require a maintenance protocol.
How long do the results last?
Results are maintained steadily throughout the 12-month follow-up in the vast majority of patients. From that point on, individualized follow-up determines the most appropriate maintenance protocol for each patient.
Which variables improve with the treatment?
We document improvement in vulvar itching, burning, erosions and fissures, vulvar tissue quality—confirmed histologically—sexual function, and general well-being. Individual results vary depending on the stage of the disease and each patient’s response.
Is the treatment scientifically backed?
Yes. The Liquenia-SVF protocol is backed by clinical research published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2025) and was included in the Clinical Practice Guideline of the ISAPS in 2025.
About candidacy
Am I a candidate for the Liquenia® Treatment?
Candidacy is always determined in an individual assessment consultation. Generally speaking, the treatment is especially indicated for adult women with a confirmed diagnosis of VLS who show an insufficient response to corticosteroids, progressive tissue damage, or a high symptomatic burden impacting their quality of life.
Do I need to have tried corticosteroids before?
In most cases, yes, because they are the established first line of treatment. However, there are situations—documented intolerance, very significant tissue damage since diagnosis—where an assessment makes sense even without having completed a full corticosteroid cycle.
Is age a limiting factor?
There is no established age limit. We evaluate candidacy based on clinical status, not age. We have treated patients across a wide range of ages.
Can I have the treatment if I have other autoimmune diseases?
It depends on the disease and its level of control. Some systemic autoimmune diseases in the active phase may affect the indication. This is always evaluated individually during the consultation.
About preparation and recovery
What should I avoid before the procedure?
For the 7 days prior, you must avoid NSAIDs—ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen—and supplements with an anticoagulant effect—high-dose omega-3, vitamin E, garlic, ginkgo biloba. Fasting is not necessary. If you take prescribed anticoagulants, please disclose this during the assessment consultation.
When can I return to my normal life?
Most patients can return to their daily activities around a week or 10 days. It is recommended to avoid intense exercise during the following 2 months and sexual intercourse during the following 3 months.
Can I go to the procedure alone?
No. The Liquenia® Treatment is performed under general anesthesia, so you must be accompanied by an adult who can pick you up after discharge. You will also not be able to drive after the procedure. After the intervention, you will remain in the hospital for 2 to 3 hours until your full recovery, and you will be discharged the same day.
About price and logistics
Do you offer financing?
At the Nixarian Institute, we do not offer in-house financing. We explain this transparently: our experience has shown that your bank, which knows your history, can offer you better terms than those we could provide through an intermediary entity. If you need to finance the procedure, we recommend consulting directly with your bank—it is the option that ends up being more cost-effective for you. If you have questions about how to manage this, you can ask us and we will guide you without obligation.
Is the Liquenia® Treatment available outside of Valencia?
The procedure is performed exclusively at Nixarian Institute SL in Valencia. We treat patients from all over Spain and abroad. For an initial assessment, it is possible to have a video consultation before the in-person visit.
Can I have an initial consultation via video call?
Yes. We offer initial assessments via video consultation for patients residing outside of Valencia. A full clinical examination requires an in-person visit, but the medical history and initial case assessment can be conducted remotely.
How do I request an assessment appointment?
Through the contact form on our website. Our team will contact you to arrange the appointment as soon as possible.
Do you have a question that doesn't appear here?
Write to us via the contact form. We respond to all inquiries and, if your question is a frequent one, we will add it to this page so it can also help other women in your situation.