Labiaplasty surgery can be a life-changing procedure for women with excessively large labia that cause pain, discomfort during sex, or frequent bacterial infections. Women who avoid wearing bikinis, shorts, or yoga pants for fear of embarrassment due to large labia, usually find that labiaplasty helps to unleash a sense of freedom and self-confidence. Although this fairly simple surgery can be of great benefit, those who have had it don’t typically talk about it. So even if you relate to one (or both) of the above descriptions, you probably have some questions about how old you have to be for labiaplasty, who qualifies for it, and what exactly the labiaplasty procedure is anyway. That’s what we’re here for, to answer your questions and help you determine if labiaplasty is the right choice for you. 

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure designed to trim the labia, for either medical or aesthetic purposes.  There are a few different surgical techniques that can be used to reduce and sculpt the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) and/or labia majora (outer vaginal lips). Your surgeon will talk you through the specific techniques that will best serve your goals.  Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes approximately an hour. Most women are able to return to yoga, jogging, or other active hobbies within 2-4 weeks, and it’s typically 6-8 weeks before intercourse is advised. When you come to Dr. Mani for your labiaplasty surgery, she’ll give you specific postoperative instructions, and it’s important to follow them closely in order to avoid complications.  

How old do you have to be for labiaplasty? 

The ideal candidate for labiaplasty is 18 years of age or older, has no major medical issues, and has functional or aesthetic issues with the size of her labia.  In very rare cases, a doctor may opt to perform the surgery on a young woman who is under age 18, but this is typically only in cases of pain caused by physical deformity of the labia or issues arising from injury.  

There are several reasons cited by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery for not recommending the procedure for women under 18. These reasons include:

• Adolescents are still developing emotionally and physically
• Surgery before full maturity could have unintended consequences, such as scarring or  loss of sensation
• Teens may be influenced by images of idealized feminine genitalia in beauty media and make decisions based on an “unreality” without understanding that variations in size, shape, and symmetry are normal

Labiaplasty is a relatively minor plastic surgery, but it’s not reversible, and the decision to have labiaplasty is not one to be taken lightly. While many young women experience insecurities about different parts of their bodies at some point in their lives, making surgical changes is not usually advised before reaching emotional and physical maturity.  At the same time, as mentioned above, there are cases when labiaplasty is the best option for restoring comfort, confidence, and quality of life. This is a decision that should be discussed with a parent and a qualified doctor. 

Labiaplasty in San Diego

If you have large or elongated labia that make crossing your legs, riding a bike, or wearing tight clothes uncomfortable experiences, you may be a good candidate for labiaplasty. At San Diego Cosmetic Laser Clinic, you’re in the hands of Dr. Parvin Mani, a member of the International Society of Cosmetogynecology, the world’s first and largest association of specialists in female aesthetics. Dr. Mani is highly skilled and experienced in performing labiaplasties. She’ll walk you through exactly what to expect from the procedure and make sure you’re comfortable every step of the way. If you are interested in learning more about the labiaplasty procedure, contact us today by calling (619) 583-7555.