In 2021, the beauty world seems to be exploring the importance of the vulva. Model Cara Delevingne is selling an NFT replica of her vagina, VaginaTok is bringing conversations about sexual health to our FYP, and – of course – Gwyneth Paltrow’s “This Smells Like My Vagina” Goop candles are still exploding around the globe.

Now, in the latest episode of the Facebook Watch “Red Table Talk” series, actress Jada Pinkett-Smith, daughter Willow Smith, and Adrienne Banfield-Norris have teamed up with holistic healer Queen Afua to steam their vaginas live on camera.

According to Afua, vaginal steaming – which entails sitting on top of a large bowl filled with hot water and herbs – serves as a solution to all the stress, bad sex, weight, trauma, and pain our vaginas go through in life. “If your vagina could speak, what would she say?” asked Afua at the red table.

While the three women steamed their vaginas – which Willow Smith described the sensation as ‘definitely a lot of warmth’ – Jada explained the ritual’s history. “You know, steaming is an ancient practice that originated in Asia and Africa,” she said. “It was originally used to cleanse yourself after you finish menstruating.” 

As stated in Insider, the practice today is used as self-care to combat period cramps, vaginal prolapse, and infertility. Gynecologists, however, warn that steaming could lead to an imbalance of vaginal bacteria or dangerous burns. 

While the steam may or may not be an effective beauty treatment, Jada Pinkett Smith and guests used the practice to discuss normalising positive conversations about vaginal health and wellness. “We didn’t talk about our vaginas…our generation,” said Banfield-Norris. “It’s always been taboo and so much shame.” 

Pinkett-Smith responded: "If you can listen to all these little rap artists talk [about] and abuse the vagina, you sure as hell can watch women give it honor and praise… We have to change the narrative around vaginas and women have to take it back.” Tbh, we’re here for it.