What Liquenia® Treatment involves
A unique, 100% biologically derived procedure specifically designed to act on vulvar tissue affected by lichen sclerosus. I will explain exactly what we do, in what order, and why.
The principle that makes Liquenia® different
The Liquenia® Treatment is based on a specific clinical concept: vulvar lichen sclerosus is a disease with an inflammatory and immunological component that progressively damages tissue. Conventional treatments control this inflammation from the outside—with topical corticosteroids—but do not repair already damaged tissue.
Liquenia® intervenes from within. It uses two fractions obtained from the patient’s own adipose tissue—without any externally sourced material—that act on the mechanisms underlying tissue damage in VLS:
Autologous nanofat
This is mechanically processed adipose tissue that preserves the growth factors and regenerative mediators present in fat. It acts by improving the quality of vulvar tissue: its texture, vascularization, and responsiveness.
The stromal vascular fraction (SVF)
Obtained through mechanical isolation of adipose tissue, it provides the concentrated cellular fraction: mesenchymal stem cells with documented anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative effects. They act by reducing local inflammatory burden and modulating the autoimmune response underlying VLS.
The standardized combination of both fractions—in defined proportions, processing technique, and infiltration technique—is the Liquenia® protocol. It is not a generic regenerative medicine procedure adapted to VLS: it is a protocol developed specifically for this disease.
The phases of the procedure
Everything in a single session. In a private hospital operating room. Under general anesthesia.
Preoperative evaluation
Before the procedure, we conduct an assessment consultation in which we evaluate the degree of involvement, review preoperative laboratory tests, and confirm candidacy. If diagnostic doubts exist, a prior biopsy may be indicated.
The week before the procedure, we ask patients to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and supplements that may affect coagulation, to reduce the risk of bleeding during liposuction.
Adipose tissue extraction
Once anesthetized, we perform a small liposuction in a low-impact donor area: usually the inner thigh, abdomen, or periumbilical region. The procedure leaves no visible scars.
This adipose tissue is the raw material for both fractions of the protocol: from it we obtain both the nanofat and the SVF.
Processing in a closed system
The adipose tissue is processed in the same operating room using closed, sterile systems. This point is clinically relevant: the closed system ensures that the material does not come into contact with the external environment, eliminating the risk of contamination and ensuring process traceability.
Part of the adipose tissue is mechanically processed to obtain the nanofat: a fluid fraction, without volumetric filling capacity, rich in growth factors and regenerative mediators. The other part undergoes a mechanical isolation process to obtain the SVF: the concentrated cellular fraction containing mesenchymal stem cells.
Infiltration into vulvar tissue
The nanofat and SVF are infiltrated in a controlled manner into the vulvar and perianal areas affected by lichen sclerosus, through subdermal and intradermal injections. The infiltration technique—points, depth, distribution—is standardized in the Liquenia® protocol and adapted to the specific distribution of each patient's involvement.
The complete procedure, from preparation to infiltration, lasts approximately 90 minutes. The patient does not feel pain during the process and is discharged the same day.
Recovery and 12-month follow-up
After the procedure, the patient can resume normal activity within a few days. Local discomfort is mild and resolves within the first week. Symptom improvements typically begin to be noticed between 4 and 8 weeks and continue to evolve over the following months.
Follow-up includes protocolized clinical reviews, symptom assessment and, when indicated, a comparative biopsy at one year to measure each patient's improvement.
The biology behind the protocol
The mesenchymal stem cells present in the SVF have three documented properties that make them relevant for vulvar lichen sclerosus:
> Anti-inflammatory effect. They secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines that reduce the activity of T lymphocytes involved in the autoimmune response of VLS. This decreases local inflammatory burden without systemically suppressing the immune system.
> Immunomodulatory effect. They modulate the abnormal immune response that characterizes VLS, reducing aggression on vulvar tissue without deactivating the body’s defensive response.
> Regenerative effect. They stimulate fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and vascularization of damaged tissue. The nanofat complements this effect by providing growth factors that promote vulvar tissue repair.
The combined action of both fractions on tissue already damaged by lichen is what differentiates Liquenia® from conventional lipotransfer or any other non-specific regenerative approach for VLS.
What Liquenia® is not
We receive patients who have researched information and sometimes arrive with expectations that need clarification. The Liquenia® Treatment is not:
> It is not a cure. Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic disease of autoimmune origin. Liquenia® significantly improves the disease and patients’ quality of life, but does not eliminate the underlying predisposition. But most patients follow a maintenance protocol with reduced-dose corticosteroids.
> It is not an aesthetic treatment. Although it uses techniques from regenerative medicine and plastic surgery, the objective of Liquenia® is exclusively therapeutic: to improve the clinical course of VLS. It is not indicated for any other purpose.
> It is not an experimental procedure. The protocol is supported by clinical research published in international scientific journals and has been included in the ISAPS 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline.
> It is not equivalent to other regenerative therapies for VLS. There are other regenerative approaches—such as isolated PRP or conventional lipotransfer—with more limited mechanisms of action and less solid evidence. The Liquenia-SVF protocol is the combination with the most published clinical evidence specifically in the context of VLS.
Individual results may vary. The Liquenia® Treatment does not guarantee complete remission of the disease. Vulvar lichen sclerosus is a chronic condition that requires continued follow-up.
Frequently asked questions about the procedure
Is the procedure painful?
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 long does the session last?
Approximately 90 minutes, including preparation, extraction, processing, and infiltration.
How many sessions are necessary?
In most patients, a single session. The study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2025) evaluated the Liquenia-SVF protocol in a single session, with significant improvements in symptoms, signs, and histological findings maintained at 12 months.
If a second session is considered in any case, the decision is made individually at the 12-month follow-up.
When are results noticed?
In our clinical experience, the first improvements are usually noticed between 4 and 8 weeks after the procedure. We evaluate the response in a protocolized manner at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups. The study published in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2025) documented significant improvements in symptoms, signs, and histology maintained at 12 months.
Can I continue using my corticosteroids?
Yes. The Liquenia® protocol does not replace maintenance corticosteroid treatment in all cases. During follow-up, we evaluate the possibility of reducing the corticosteroid dose or using lower-potency corticosteroids based on individual clinical response.
Want to know if Liquenia® is right for you?
If you have vulvar lichen sclerosus and want to evaluate whether the Liquenia® Treatment is an option in your case, the first step is an assessment consultation with our team. No commitment and with a clear clinical answer.