Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or reduces the size of the labia, the inner (labia minora) and sometimes outer (labia majora) folds of skin around the vaginal opening. It is classified as a type of vulvoplasty and falls under female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS). The goal can be aesthetic, functional (easing discomfort with clothing or activity), or a combination of both.
Common techniques include trim excision and wedge resection, which involve removing excess tissue to achieve a desired contour. Decisions about approach are based on anatomy, patient goals, and surgeon expertise.
Recovery typically involves weeks of healing, with soreness and swelling common initially, and final outcomes emerging over months. Surgeons advise patients on postoperative care to reduce infection and promote healing.
According to a review of surgical data, labiaplasty has become one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures globally, 3with significant increases over the past decade. In the United States alone, the number of procedures rose from about 2,142 in 2011 to over 12,903 in 2019, a roughly 600 % increase.
Searches for labiaplasty-related terms, such as “labiaplasty before and after” and “what is labiaplasty”, have surged on the internet, suggesting growing public awareness and interest over recent years.
Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and others have become key spaces where cosmetic surgery content, including labiaplasty promotion and before-and-after visuals circulates widely. Videos tagged with plastic surgery terms have accumulated billions of views, and recommendation algorithms often show users more of this content if they engage with it.
Some clinics and surgeons actively post content showcasing labiaplasty results and framing the procedure in positive terms. These posts can influence perceptions of genital aesthetics and what is considered “normal” or desirable.
Youth-focused trends like the “designer vagina”, a colloquial term often used in social media to describe a surgically refined labial appearance, have been linked to heightened body awareness and the idea that surgery can provide confidence or solve insecurity.
Several accounts reported by The Independent describe women who sought labiaplasty influenced by social pressures and later experienced complications or dissatisfaction. One woman shared that she had been told the surgery was “super simple” but later struggled with chronic irritation, dryness, infections, and painful intercourse.
Such experiences reflect broader concerns about informed consent, realistic expectations, and adequate counselling before elective procedures.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis2 reported that, on average, labiaplasty was associated with an 18.8 % improvement in the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) post-operatively, though study quality varied and confidence remains cautious due to limited robust data.
Other research indicates that while many patients report satisfaction with genital appearance and improvements in confidence or function, the evidence base is mixed and methodological limitations persist.3
All surgeries carry risks, and labiaplasty is no exception. Reported complications include:
Bleeding and hematoma formation.
Infection and wound healing issues.
Scarring and asymmetry.
Reduced or altered sensation.
Dehiscence (wound reopening) requiring revision surgery.
The frequency of these outcomes depends on surgical technique and patient factors, and serious complications, while uncommon, have been documented.
Some advocacy groups argue that widespread cosmetic genital surgery reflects social pressures and cultural norms that may pathologize natural anatomical variation. In the UK, campaigners have called for labiaplasty to be treated under laws similar to those banning female genital mutilation (FGM), arguing that the normalization of these procedures fosters pressure on women and girls.
Medical organisations maintain that labiaplasty is distinct from FGM and emphasize the importance of informed consent and appropriate candidate selection while calling for better evidence and patient education.
While many patients report positive outcomes, the literature stresses the need for thorough counselling about risks, realistic expectations, and the influence of social pressures. Evidence on long-term outcomes, especially regarding psychological wellbeing and sexual function, continues to evolve.
References
Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. n.d. “Labiaplasty.” Plastic Surgery Procedures. Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://plasticsurgery.org.au/procedures/surgical-procedures/labiaplasty/.
Nahidi, Fatemeh, Michael P. Goodman, Fatemeh Alavi-Arjas, Masoumeh Simbar, Hamid Alavi Majd, and Fereshteh Rastegar. 2025. “Female Sexual Function After Labiaplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, published online June 5, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-025-04946-1.
Escandón, Joseph M., Daniela Duarte Bateman, Valeria P. Bustos, et al. 2022. “Maximizing Safety and Optimizing Outcomes of Labiaplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 150, no. 4 (October 1, 2022): 776e-788e. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRS.0000000000009552.
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