There seems to be a treatment for almost every part of the body in the world of plastic surgery. You may have heard of labiaplasty but might not be sure of what it actually involves. So, what is a designer vagina? If you’re unhappy with your labia or experience difficulties because of it, keep reading.
What is a Designer Vagina?
From breast augmentation to liposuction, there’s a procedure for virtually everything. Vaginal rejuvenation treatments have been gaining traction for a while now. Labiaplasty or a designer vagina operation is a procure for women who are concerned about the size or shape of their labia. These are the flaps of skin on either side of the vaginal opening. An enlarged labia can cause discomfort wearing tight clothes, doing exercise, and during intercourse. Many patients who opt for labiaplasty surgery are unhappy with the size or shape of their labia. There are several reasons women have enlarged labia, such as childbirth, genetics, ageing, and sexual activity.
The procedure takes between 1 to 2 hours to perform. During the operation, your surgeon will carefully reshape or reduce the size of your labia to create a smaller, neater appearance. You can use several techniques during labiaplasty, including trimming the edges of the labia or removing a wedge. Your surgeon will discuss your options during your consultation.
So, what does a designer vagina look like?
After labiaplasty, the vagina would have shorter labia minora. This means that overall, the vagina would look neater. Of course, it’s difficult to give a precise explanation as every vagina looks different in general. But, overall, you can expect shortened labia and a neat-looking result.
4 Benefits of Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is a short and relatively low-risk procedure. It can help resolve several issues. Here are four benefits of labiaplasty.
1. More Confidence
If you feel self-conscious about the size of your labia, the procedure may help boost your confidence and make you feel less self-conscious.
2. Increase Comfort
An enlarged labia can make exercise and wearing tight clothes uncomfortable. Reducing the size or shape of the labia can decrease discomfort and make certain activities more comfortable.
3. Improve Sexual Pleasure
By removing excess vaginal tissues, it can significantly improve sexual pleasure.
4. Increase Wardrobe Options
If you were unable to wear tight clothes due to an enlarged labia, you will find you have more wardrobe options after the procedure.
How Old Do You Have to Be for Labiaplasty?
With any cosmetic surgery, one of the most popular questions is when to is the best time. So, how old do you have to be for labiaplasty? In most patients, women are over 18. However, it could be performed on a younger patient if there was chaffing, irritation, or pain caused by large labia. The problem with performing labiaplasty on someone under 18 is that they may not be fully developed yet. Here are some factors that play a role in the decision to have labiaplasty surgery:
- Realistic expectations
- Emotionally mature
- Medical history and health
Labiaplasty, Childbirth, and Pregnancy
You may be wondering if you can have children after labiaplasty? The short answer is yes. Although it’s encouraged that patients have finished having children before the procedure, you can have children after labiaplasty. The risk is that childbirth may stretch the vaginal lips. You do have the option to undergo another procedure to refresh your previous results if necessary.
It’s recommended that you wait at least 6 months after having a baby before having labiaplasty. Labiaplasty or a designer vagina is often included in a mummy makeover if you have multiple areas of concern after having a baby.
What are the Risks of Labiaplasty?
In general, labiaplasty does not affect sensitivity in this area. But as the vaginal area has many nerve endings, diminished sensitivity is a potential complication of labiaplasty surgery. Other risks and possible complications include:
- Numbness
- Chronic dryness
- Scarring
Your Labiaplasty Recovery Week by Week
Overall, the labiaplasty healing time is about 6 weeks. In general, the primary recovery period lasts a few weeks, but you still need to be mindful of your movement throughout your recovery. Following your surgery, you should get up and start moving straight away. You might feel a bit tired after the procedure, but it’s important to get moving to increase circulation and reduce the risk of developing a blood clot. After surgery, research shows that the quicker you get out of bed and start walking, eating, and drinking, the better your recovery.
On labiaplasty day 6 in your recovery, it’s common for your surgeon to remove your labiaplasty stitches. After this, you will likely feel much more comfortable and should notice an improvement in your labiaplasty recovery. Read this guide on how to sleep comfortably after cosmetic surgery for some useful tips.
You will likely experience slight pain, discomfort, and swelling after your operation. The swelling will go down in a few weeks. Try to avoid wearing tight clothes and underwear while you’re healing. Avoid having long showers and pat the area dry.
Here is a breakdown of your recovery:
- 1 week – time off work to recover.
- 2-3 weeks – return to normal activities.
- 4 weeks – resume sexual intercourse.
- 4-6 weeks – return to more vigorous activities.
Are there Labiaplasty Alternatives?
There are non-surgical alternatives to labiaplasty. Depending on your case, these may be suitable for you.
ThermiVa
ThermiVa is a non-invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency to stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the vaginal area. The procedure uses a small wand that emits radiofrequency. In general, you would need multiple sessions to maximise results. Each session can take up to 30 minutes.
FemTouch
FemTouch is another non-invasive procedure. It uses a laser targeted on the vaginal walls to encourage new cell growth by triggering collagen production. This type of procedure can help to improve vaginal dryness, itching, and burning. You need multiple sessions, but the downtime is minimal, and you can usually return to most normal activities after the procedure.
An enlarged labia can make exercise and intercourse uncomfortable and difficult. If you feel self-conscious about the size or shape of your labia, you may be suitable for labiaplasty surgery.
Choosing a Harley Street Plastic Surgeon for Your Designer Vagina Surgery
It’s entirely normal to be excited and nervous about your labiaplasty surgery. To help you feel ready, we’ve pulled together a quick guide on how to prepare for your cosmetic surgery consultation at the Harley Clinic. If you’re considering a designer vagina, or want to discuss your labiaplasty journey, book a consultation today at our Harley Street Cosmetic Surgery clinic.
