WHY PLUMP THE LABIA?

Getting a plump or full labia Is generally a matter of personal preference. Some women are unhappy with changes that don’t make them feel like themselves. Others want plump labia after a lifetime of dissatisfaction. For better results, always talk to your doctor about your reasons for wanting this procedure. The most common reasons for wanting a plump labia are regaining a youthful appearance, concerns about the sudden loss of labia volume, the saggy appearance of the vagina, and labia being asymmetrical.

Youthful Appearance

Like the rest of the soft tissue throughout the body, labia can lose the plumpness and suppleness that we associate with vitality and youthfulness. For many, visual changes to the labia simply represent unwanted signs of aging.

Loss of Labia Volume

As fleshy folds, labia protect the vagina. They also contribute to sexual stimulation and lubrication. Thinning labia could cause irritation and discomfort.

Saggy Appearance

It can be jarring to discover that your formerly puffed labia now appear deflated or stretched. As estrogen and collagen levels dip with age, the labia can undergo noticeable sagging.

Asymmetrical Labia

There’s no “right” size or shape for labia. While minor asymmetry of the inner and outer lips of the vagina is relatively common, noticeable differences in size, shape, or position from one side to the other can make you feel self-conscious. If one side of the labia is severely inflated, this is known as labial hypertrophy. In many cases, asymmetry or enlargement on one side of the labia has been present since birth. However, most women only notice asymmetry when the labia increase in size during puberty.

In addition to creating cosmetic concerns, labia asymmetry can cause irritation or pain when wearing underwear or snug-fitting pants if one side of the labia is much larger. Some women also experience discomfort when riding bikes, horseback riding, exercising, or engaging in sexual activity.

LABIA PLUMPING CANDIDATES

Anyone who is unsatisfied with the appearance of their labia or simply desires plump labia is a candidate. However, most don’t even consider the procedure until they notice changes at key points in life. Most women will consider labia plumping during an after menopause, after giving birth, and when they see noticeable signs of aging.

During and After Menopause

Decreasing estrogen levels that occur both leading up to and after menopause can turn formerly plump labia saggy. During menopause, estrogen decline causes some degree of vaginal atrophy for most women. When this occurs, the labia thin out and lose elasticity. In addition to shrinking, the lips can also appear loose or wrinkled.

After Giving Birth

Pregnancy hormones and the birthing process can both dramatically change the appearance of the labia. It’s common to experience stretching and loosening of the labia minora (inner lips) or labia majora (outer lips) following childbirth. Additionally, tearing or an episiotomy during labor can lead to scarring and visual changes to the labia.

Aging Women

With age, hormonal changes and decreased blood flow to the labia can create dramatic changes. The most common complaints are labia thinning and reduced fullness. Meanwhile, the body’s natural slowdown in collagen production after age 30 can make the labia lose firmness and begin to wrinkle. In some cases, the inner folds of the labia may actually begin to atrophy to further reduce volume and definition of the outer vaginal lips.

Related: What Are The Vaginal Atrophy Treatment Options?

WHAT IS A LABIA FILLER?

Like the injectables that are used to volumize and plump the face, labia filler or vaginal filler is a treatment that plumps and rejuvenates the labia. This cosmetic procedure adds fullness and improves the symmetry of the labia majora (outer lips). Patients enjoy enhanced aesthetic appeal and improved body confidence. For more dramatic and longer-lasting results, some patients prefer fat transfers to the labia.

Hyaluronic Acid Filler

This is the most common option for achieving plump labia. During treatment, a dermal filler made with hyaluronic acid (HA) is injected into the labia majora. People who’ve had facial fillers will recognize that HA is the same ingredient used in many name-brand fillers. HA is a gel-like substance that boosts volume and fills in wrinkles while also triggering the body’s own natural collagen production. Prior to injection, anesthetia is applied to the outer labia. Next, labia filler injections are made in strategic areas of the labia using a fine needle. No downtime is needed. Results from labia filler typically last 6 to 12 months.

Silicone Fillers

Silicone fillers are no longer recommended for labia puffing due to potential risks and complications.

Fat Grafting Labia Filler

A labia fat transfer volumizes the labia by borrowing your own fat cells from other parts of your body. Benefits include a more natural feel and lower risk of allergic reaction and rejection. Fat grafting also offers results that can last for years. Fat grafting to plump labia is more invasive than using injectable labia filler. Fat cells are extracted from the thigh, buttocks, or other area of the body using liposuction. Following extraction, fat cells are injected into the labia.

Would you like to learn more about labia puffing procedures? Dr. Michael Tahery is a leading board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) and urogynecologist serving the Los Angeles area. Dr. Tahery and his team offer a variety of noninvasive treatment options. Book your consultation today.

The post Getting A Plump Labia With Labia Filler appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.

Why do the labial tissue become wrinkled or prolapse and look deflated?

Our skin gets wrinkled when we age or when we lose weight. Also as hormonal changes occur as in menopause, it affects the connective tissues supporting our skin. Unfortunately it’s a fact of life that we can not avoid. Exercise helps tighten the muscles, hydration helps avoid dryness, and a good diet and vitamin supplements is essential for healthy skin. None however can overcome the ravages of aging. 

Genital tissue is not immune to the ravages of aging. Loss of volume in the labia majora from loss of supportive fatty tissue, as well as damage to the connective tissue in the vulvar skin creates sagging and wrinkles. 

What are the complaints women have when labia become deflated and wrinkled?

In my practice as a urogynecologist, over the past 25 years, I have heard many complaints as a result of the changes in the labia. Frequently women complain of discomfort, loss of sensation, and dryness, in addition to loss of healthy and young appearance. It adds to the gaps in the vaginal opening that may also increase the risk of recurrent vaginal infections. It gives the labia majora a deflated appearance and can make obstetric vaginal injuries more pronounced.

RELATED: Does sex cause elongated labia?

What can be done to address these problems?

For this and many more other personal issues women complain about there are fillers. In the past fat transfers were very common and still being performed. This technique uses liposuction from an area such as buttock or the pubic area to obtain the necessary fat which then used to add volume to the labia majora. The downside to fat transfer is the extended recovery, cost, and potential risk of infection, hemorrhage and damage to other organs. 

Is there a more simple and safer alternative to fat transfer?

Use of fillers containing hyaluronic acid has been very effective for the right patient to add fullness and resolve wrinkles in the vulvar skin. This is also known as labial puffing. This is an off label use of fillers as FDA has not approved fillers for this purpose. 

How is labial puffing using hyaluronic acid performed?

The procedure is simple and outpatient with minimal down time. The area is normally washed with an antibacterial soap the night before and that morning. Two hours prior to the procedure a numbing cream is applied by the patient to the area to be treated. 

Once in the office, working with the patient, the area of treatment is marked off to achieve the best possible result. The optimal amount of hyaluronic acid is injected in the areas to be treated slowly and methodically. A very small cannula or needle is used to deliver the filler. Rarely local numbing injection may be necessary to achieve patient comfort.

RELATED: When do you need vaginal rejuvenation?

What are the precautions after the procedure?

Once the procedure is completed, the patient is instructed to avoid rubbing or putting pressure on the vulvar area, to avoid intercourse, and to follow the prescribed hygiene regimen. Patient then returns to the clinic in one week to evaluate results. 

Can this be combined with other surgical procedures?

This procedure can be combined with other medical or cosmetic procedures such as incontinence procedures, labia minora reduction, perineoplasty, G spot injection, and other vaginal tightening procedures. 

As a urogynecologist, Dr. Tahery has years of experience treating women with functional and cosmetic issues of the female organs. We look forward to answering any questions you may have and recommend treatment options that meet your needs.

The post Frequently Asked Questions About Labia Majora Puffing appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.