TYPES OF LABIA

The vulva (external genitalia) is made up of two types of labia called the labia majora and labia minora. The labia help to protect the vagina and urethra.

Labia Majora

Also known as the outer lips, the labia majora are folds located on the outside of the vulva. They are often covered in pubic hair.

Labia Minora

Also known as the inner lips, the labia minora are folds closer to the vagina that extend from the clitoris to the vaginal opening.

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COMMON LABIA SHAPES

Labia come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and types. In some cases, labia simply have characteristics that might make them stand out or look different from the average. In other cases, factors like pregnancy, childbirth, aging, hormonal changes, or injury can alter the appearance of different types of labia.

Asymmetrical Labia

It’s fairly common for one side of the labia minora to be longer than the other. When this occurs, a woman may notice that one side appears to hang beyond the boundary of the labia majora. While common, asymmetrical labia shapes can sometimes lead to physical discomfort or self-consciousness.

Dangling Outer Labia

When outer lips are prominent enough to spill over to hang outside the underwear, these types of labia are often described as dangling outer labia. With this situation, the inner lips become more exposed. Many women also find that wearing fitted clothing becomes more challenging.

Prominent Labia Minora

Prominent inner lips extend below the labia majora. In addition to leaving the inner lips more exposed and vulnerable to irritation and infection, these types of labia can make it difficult to wear fitted clothing or bathing suits without fear of the inner labia becoming visible.

Prominent Labia Majora

When outer lips are thick or puffy, this can create a visible mounded look under fitted clothing or bathing suits. When outer lips appear puffed or oversized, this can create the effect of shrinking or hiding the labia minora.

Curved Labia

Curved labia shapes are actually caused by a curved vulva with outer lips that are molded into something that resembles a horseshoe. When the outer lips are curved, the inner lips will be pushed to peek through the front. In some cases, the labia minora will extend past the labia majora to be visible and prominent. In others, they will remain tucked under the labia majora.

Thin or Wrinkled Labia

In general, thinning or shrinking of the labia will occur with aging and hormonal changes. As women approach perimenopause and menopause, decreased collagen production and reduced blood supply to the genitalia cause skin to lose collagen and elasticity. It’s not much different from the way women may also experience thinning skin on the face or neck due to hormonal changes with age. As tissue in the labia thins, it also becomes more vulnerable to damage and trauma that can exacerbate visible wrinkling.

LABIAPLASTY FOR LABIA CORRECTION

Whether you have concerns about the appearance of the labia or asymmetry and prominence are creating discomfort and irritation, labiaplasty is an option that can help to reshape the labia. Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that alters the appearance or size of the inner and outer vaginal lips. During a procedure, a doctor reshapes or resizes the inner lips, outer lips, or both to create symmetry, restore or decrease volume, and correct other concerns.

The term labiaplasty actually encompasses many different procedures for different labia shapes. These procedures can involve removing tissue to reduce size or prominence of labia, reconstructing labia using tissue from other areas, or injecting filler material to plump up labia. While labiaplasty is often thought of as a cosmetic procedure, many women choose it for hygiene reasons. Excess labia tissue or profound asymmetry can make cleaning more difficult. By undergoing labiaplasty, you may be able to reduce your risks for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other dangerous bacterial infections.

Are you interested in learning more about labiaplasty procedures for different types of labia? Dr. Michael Tahery is a leading Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) and Urogynecologist who has spent the past two decades providing gynecology, urogynecology, and cosmetic care to patients throughout the Los Angeles and Glendale areas. Contact Dr. Tahery to book a consultation today.

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THE LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE

While there was a time when labiaplasty meant traditional surgery, patients today can choose between surgical and scalpel-free laser labiaplasty procedures to achieve their desired results.

Surgical Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty surgery can vary based on whether a patient’s goal is labia reduction or enlargement. When shortening the labia minora, a surgeon will trim excess tissue from the edge of the labia or remove a wedge-shaped piece of tissue. For enlargement procedures, small amounts of fat are taken from another part of the body during a liposuction procedure in order to be injected into the labia for shaping and plumping. Generally, the fat is taken from the thigh, abdomen, or other area with available reserves. For some procedures, a common filler material called hyaluronic acid (HA) is injected in place of fat. Depending on whether a patient is addressing overall volume loss or seeking to balance unevenly sized labia, injections may either be done on one or both sides of the vaginal lips.

Depending on the specifics of the procedure, either local anesthesia or general anesthesia will be used. Recovery time for labiaplasty surgery is typically six to eight weeks. It can take up to six months for swelling to reduce to the point that patients can see full results.

Laser Labiaplasty

Laser labiaplasty is a gentler procedure that utilizes laser technology to reduce or reshape the labial minora and/or labia majora. Today’s lasers are capable of trimming, realigning, and reshaping labia without the need for a scalpel. Like traditional labia surgery, laser labiaplasty requires either local or general anesthesia. Next, laser heat is used to precisely cut and remove labia tissue. Depending on the type of laser used and the specifics of the procedure, recovery generally takes two to four weeks.

Related: When Do You Need Vaginal Rejuvenation?

SIGNS YOU NEED LABIAPLASTY

Labiaplasty can dramatically improve confidence levels and quality of life for patients. While some seek labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons, these procedures can also offer benefits for hygiene, sexual health, and more.

Labia Appearance

When the inner labia extend lower than the outer labia, they are often visible under clothing. Labiaplasty is commonly used to address oversized or larger-than-normal inner vaginal lips that are visible through certain types of paints, skirts, and dresses. While it’s normal for labia to be visible to some degree when wearing sheer or tight-fitting clothing, oversized or protruding labia are often visible even when wearing thick jeans or adding multiple layers for concealment.

Discomfort Wearing Certain Clothes

Large or protruding labia can make wearing many different types of clothing a challenge. For example, fitted items like leggings and bicycle shorts may cause tugging and chaffing. In addition, most types of underwear can cause pain and discomfort.

Discomfort During Physical Activities (Sex or Exercise)

Excess labia tissue can get twisted, tugged, pulled, and pinched during any kind of physical activity. When labia are enlarged or protruding, this can make certain types of exercise feel awkward or painful. For example, participating in cycling classes or riding a bicycle can cause tension and irritation because the labia will come into contact with the seat. Running, jogging, and other forms of exercise can also cause rubbing and chaffing. It’s even possible to experience painful chafing and irritation simply when walking. Many women feel self-conscious when they need to make constant adjustments while working out.

Large or uneven labia can also make sexual activity painful or unpleasant. Excess tissue often causes soreness and chafing during intercourse. In addition, excess labia tissue can make maintaining good hygiene more difficult. This can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bacterial infections that can make sex feel painful and impact sexual health.

Are you interested in learning more about labiaplasty procedures? Dr. Michael Tahery is a leading Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) and Urogynecologist serving the Los Angeles and Glendale areas. With more than two decades of experience in gynecology, urogynecology, and cosmetic care, Dr. Tahery offers the latest in surgical and laser labiaplasty procedures. Contact Dr. Tahery to book a consultation today.

The post What Is Labiaplasty? And What Are The Signs You Need It? appeared first on Best Uro-Gynecologist Los Angeles, OB/GYN Glendale | Dr. Michael Tahery.

Traditional labiaplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure that involves making incisions to remove excess tissue. While surgical labiaplasty can provide impressive results, it’s not your only option. Non surgical labiaplasty can transform your labia using lasers and radiofrequency devices.

Non-Surgical Labiaplasty vs. Surgical Labiaplasty

Non surgical labiaplasty is a non-invasive procedure that can improve the size and overall appearance of the labia. However, it works differently than traditional surgical labiaplasty. Conventional surgery involves scalpel-made incisions and physical removal of extra tissue. Meanwhile, non surgical labiaplasty utilizes radiofrequency technology.

Also known as radiofrequency labiaplasty, this procedure takes advantage of your body’s natural healing and rejuvenation processes. Instead of scalpels, your surgeon will use a handheld device with radiofrequency electrodes. The electrodes apply gentle heat to activate fibroblasts within the skin. Fibroblasts play a critical role in the formation of connective tissue. Most notably, the fibroblast cells are responsible for producing collagen proteins.

The goal of radiofrequency labiaplasty is to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Radiofrequency technology effectively stimulates those fibroblasts, allowing your body to shrink and tighten tissue. Most women notice results within a few days, but non surgical labiaplasty can provide long-term tightening as collagen and elastin production increases over several months.

Depending on your needs, you may get multiple radiofrequency labiaplasty treatments to achieve your desired results.

This non surgical labiaplasty procedure is a viable option for many women. But whether or not you’re a candidate for it depends on your needs. 

Both radiofrequency and laser techniques can provide permanent results that can transform the appearance of your labia. What’s right for you depends on your needs and expectations. A seasoned uro-gynecologist surgeon like Dr. Michael Tahery will work with you to determine if non-surgical alternatives to traditional labiaplasty are the right course for you.

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Advantages of Non-Surgical Labiaplasty

There are many reasons to consider non surgical labiaplasty. Some of the biggest concerns among women are scarring and downtime. While surgical labiaplasty has a relatively modest recovery period compared to other procedures, non-surgical alternatives decrease downtime even more.

With radiofrequency labiaplasty, most women can return to work the next day. Furthermore, there are fewer restrictions concerning physical activity and sexual intercourse. Surgical labiaplasty has a manageable recovery period, but there are often stricter limitations on what you can do as you heal.

Another notable advantage of non surgical labiaplasty is how long it takes. Because it doesn’t involve incisions, the procedure takes significantly less time to finish. Depending on the type of equipment used and what results you’re trying to achieve, it may take less than an hour to complete each session. You can drive home afterward and not worry about hospital stays, bleeding, or significant discomfort. Pain is typically a non-issue. The worst most women have to deal with is easy-to-manage tenderness or mild swelling.

If scarring is a concern, non surgical approaches trump surgical labiaplasty. A skilled surgeon like Dr. Tahery knows how to mitigate scarring either way. But with a procedure like radiofrequency labiaplasty, scarring is non-existent.

Radiofrequency devices don’t penetrate the skin. There are no incisions that could result in scarring. Therefore, your labia will have no indication of the procedure after healing. For women who worry about scarring, it’s one of the best alternatives to surgery.

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When you’re ready to explore your surgical and non surgical labiaplasty options, contact the office of Dr. Michael Tahery. Dr. Tahery is a board-certified OB/GYN and one of the most active gynecological and urogynecological surgeons in the Los Angeles area. With over 20 years of experience helping women with complex health and cosmetic issues, Dr. Tahery has the expertise to address your needs. Call us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Tahery and learn more about what type of labiaplasty is right for you.

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