Restore is applied to the vulva — the external tissue you can see and touch. It is not inserted into the vagina. This distinction matters both for comfort and for how the formulation works: the liposomal delivery system is designed for vulvar skin, where it can interact directly with skin cell membranes.

This guide covers where to apply, how much, how often, what to expect, and how to know it's working.

Where to Apply

Restore is applied across the vulvar tissue — spread gently across all areas rather than concentrated in one spot.

The labia minora — the inner folds — are the primary application area. This tissue is thin, sensitive, and highly permeable, making it the most receptive site for liposomal uptake. Apply here first.

The vestibule — the area surrounding the vaginal opening, between the labia minora. Often the site of most discomfort — dryness, sensitivity, pain with contact. Include this area with each application.

The clitoral hood — the fold of skin covering the clitoris. Richly innervated and androgen-responsive. Include it.

The labia majora — the outer folds. A light coverage here is fine but this is not the primary application area.

Think of it as spreading gently across the whole inner vulvar landscape rather than applying to one specific spot. One pump covers this area comfortably without needing to concentrate or rub.

You do not need to insert anything into the vagina. Restore is formulated for external vulvar application.

How Much to Apply

One pump delivers 23mg of DHEA in approximately 0.2ml of cream. 

The amount may seem small. The liposomal delivery system is designed for concentration rather than coverage. Unlike a moisturizer where more product means more hydration, Restore works through cellular uptake rather than surface saturation. 

Dispense one pump onto clean fingertips. Distribute across the application areas described above. Massage gently until absorbed — this takes approximately 30-60 seconds. You do not need to wash it off.

How Often to Apply

Apply Restore daily, or three times weekly (a minimum of two times weekly).  Every woman will find her own ideal rhythm. 

This schedule is deliberate. Unlike daily moisturizers, Restore is not designed for continuous surface coverage. The liposomal system delivers DHEA into tissue cells where intracrine conversion occurs. 

Timing: Many women prefer to apply at night — the tissue is at rest, there is no concern about transfer, and the absorption window aligns with overnight tissue repair processes. Morning application works equally well. Choose what fits your routine and stay consistent.  In biology, DHEA is highest in the morning. 

 

The Restoration Phase — What to Expect Week by Week

Restore supports a gradual biological process. Intracrine conversion, tissue remodeling, collagen synthesis, and vascular changes take time. This is not a product that produces immediate sensation. What it does is support cumulative tissue change over weeks.

Weeks 1-4

Apply Restore daily for the first week, then assess. 

Do you notice more comfort, or not?

If not, then apply daily for another week.

Again, asses. 

If you do not notice improved comfort then increase the dosage to 2 pumps daily for one more week.

If that that point you do not notice increased comfort, please let us know.  This means your tissue needs the priming support before Restore can be used by your skin.

For most of you, the tissue is receiving substrate may have been depleted of for months or years. Some women notice a mild tingling during this early phase — a normal response as the tissue begins to adjust. Most women notice nothing at all. Both are normal.

The biological processes are occurring at the cellular level before they become perceptible.

What to do: apply consistently. Consistency in the early phase matters more than anything else. 

Some women will experience improvement here, some may take longer. 

Weeks 4-8

Tissue comfort and moisture changes may be apprarent now.  The surface epithelial layer responds to signaling relatively quickly — hydration, surface softness, and reduced dryness are often the first changes women notice.

Some women also notice changes in sensitivity — the tissue feels more responsive to touch. This reflects changes in the deeper tissue layers beginning to develop.

Individual responses vary significantly at this stage based on baseline tissue state, duration of postmenopause, and adrenal DHEA production. Women with more significant tissue depletion may notice changes more gradually. Women earlier in the menopausal transition may notice changes sooner.

What to do: continue your weekly schedule. 

Weeks 8-12

Restoration.  Cumulative changes in tissue architecture, elasticity, and sensory experience may be apparent by now.  

Comfort during daily activity, reduced sensitivity to friction, changes in arousal response, and improved elasticity are all processes that develop at this stage as collagen synthesis, vascular remodeling, and nerve fiber support accumulate.

What to do: complete the full twelve weeks before assessing whether the protocol has been effective for you. Stopping at six weeks is stopping before the full biological process may have had time to complete.

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Practical Questions

Can I apply before or after sex?

Yes. Apply at a separate time if possible — at least 20 minutes — so the absorption window is not disrupted. Restore is a conditioning cream, not a lubricant. Although it does provide some immediate lubrication, this is not the full use of Restore. 

Can I use a lubricant alongside Restore?

Yes. Water-based lubricants are compatible. Avoid oil-based lubricants at the same time of application as they may interfere with liposomal uptake.

What if I miss an application?

Resume your schedule at the next application day. Consistency over time matters more than individual applications.

Can I use Restore alongside other hormonal therapies?

Many women use Restore alongside systemic hormone therapy or other local treatments. Because Restore supports local intracrine conversion rather than delivering active hormones systemically, it presents a different profile than estrogen therapy. Women taking aromatase inhibitors or managing hormone-sensitive conditions should discuss use with their healthcare provider.

I noticed a slight tingling after application — is that normal?

Some women notice a mild tingling sensation, particularly during the first few weeks of use. This reflects the tissue responding to local signaling and typically resolves on its own. Not all women experience this — most notice nothing at all. If tingling is uncomfortable, reduce the application area temporarily and build back gradually.

Can my partner be exposed to Restore?

Allow the cream to fully absorb before skin-to-skin contact — approximately 20  minutes. After absorption, transfer is not a concern.  Even if your partner is exposed intermittently the dosage will be low enough to be unlikely to cause an issue. 

It's been several years since menopause — is Restore still appropriate for me?

Yes. Restore is designed for the midlife transition broadly — not just the early postmenopausal window.

Vulvar tissue retains the enzymatic machinery for intracrine conversion well beyond menopause. The challenge with longer duration postmenopause is not that the tissue loses the ability to convert DHEA — it is that the substrate it needs has been depleted for longer. The restoration phase may take the full twelve weeks, and some women find that consistency through that full window matters more the longer the depletion has been.

Women who have experienced significant tissue changes over several years may notice a more gradual response in the early weeks. This is not a sign that Restore is not working — it reflects the biology of tissue that has had more time to change and needs more time to respond.

If you have been postmenopausal for several years and have significant symptoms, completing the full restoration protocol before assessing results is particularly important.

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A Note on Patience

The tissue biology Restore is designed to support took time to change. It takes time to respond.

4-6 weeks is not a long time in the context of tissue that may have been substrate-depleted for years. Women who complete the full restoration phase and assess results at week 8 — rather than week four — consistently report a more complete picture of what the protocol can do.

Restore is not a quick fix. It is a commitment to your tissue's long-term biology. That distinction is worth holding onto if progress feels slow.

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This guide is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual responses vary. Consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal guidance.

Scientific framework by Dr. Laura Kelly, DAOM. DrLauraKelly.com

→ For the scientific rationale behind this protocol — The Restore Protocol

→ For the full article on how DHEA supports vulvovaginal tissue — Why Estrogen Isn't Enough