Dr. Daisy A. Ayim is a talented cosmetic surgeon with an aesthetic eye and has over ten years of experience in private practice with a keen perspective on beauty and health. Dr. Daisy A. Ayim is a fellowship-trained Cosmetic Surgeon by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Ayim has always been focused, academically sound, and driven to excel in her craft. She has garnered the love from her patients over the course of over a decade to provide superb care and enhance their desire for aesthetic surgery. 

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Are you self-conscious about your genitals or are feeling irritation or discomfort in your vaginal area? If so, you can benefit from a labiaplasty procedure. This surgery is performed to aesthetically improve the appearance of your genital area and to reduce discomfort or congenital concerns. Here Haute Beauty expert Dr. Daisy Ayim reviews everything to know on the procedure.

What is labiaplasty? Who is a candidate?

Labiaplasty refers to the reduction of labia minora which is the inner hairless flaps of the vaginal opening. There are variations of normal labia majora and minora anatomy that commonly do not need this reduction surgery.

A great candidate for labiaplasty will be an adult woman who has excessive labia minora and desires surgery for either aesthetic improvement or functional reasons. The nature of this elective procedure warrants a full understanding of normal variants and acceptance of not one size fits all approach.

Can any precautions be taken to prevent your labia from stretching?

The labia minora anatomy is for the most part how you were born and infrequently stretches with life circumstances. Although pregnancy and extreme weight loss can change the appearance of this anatomy there is no preventative measure to keep labia from stretching.

What are the benefits of labiaplasty?

The benefits of labiaplasty are either cosmetic or functional. Most women seek labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons to improve appearance and symmetry. There is occasional discoloration with labia minora that a lot of women want the reduction to minimize the unevenness. Labiality helps women that have difficulty during intercourse, bulginess in swimsuits or undergarments and normal daily activities without discomfort.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Are there any risks to the procedure?

Labiaplasty is a commonly performed procedure and has some potential risks such as dehiscence, bleeding, unsatisfactory scarring, superficial infections, reduced sensitivity of the genitals and tissue necrosis.

Is labiaplasty a one-time procedure?

The labiaplasty procedure is a single procedure. However, some results may need attention to improve contour, color, symmetry and shape.

Post-op, are there any tips to avoid your labia from twisting and turning again?

Post-op care from labiaplasty is approximately four to six weeks. During this time, avoid soaking in any body of water like swimming, baths or hot tubs. Also, refrain from any vaginal insertion from intercourse, tampons or any objects during post-op recovery. Those tips will save you a visit or phone call.