As plastic surgery grows more common around the country, both women and men are becoming more comfortable talking about various aesthetic procedures. I’ve noticed that to be the case, too, with my patients here near Columbia. Labiaplasty and vaginal rejuvenation are two treatments that have become increasingly popular and less mysterious or taboo.
Although each of these options address female genitalia, they’re not exactly the same thing. If you’ve been considering procedures to restore your labia or tighten your vaginal tissue, here are a few important facts to keep in mind while making your decision.
What is vaginal rejuvenation?
“Vaginal rejuvenation” is an umbrella term used to address a variety of treatments, from nonsurgical to surgical. Often, it refers to a nonsurgical approach to restoring the vaginal canal by tightening and toning vaginal tissue. This firming can be achieved with radiofrequency or laser devices that stimulate cell turnover in the vaginal wall. As the tissue is restored, it gains flexibility and firmness, helping make painful intercourse and incontinence less frequent.
Vaginal rejuvenation is often used to fix issues caused by pregnancy or menopause. Other treatments—such as traditional physical therapy—can also be used to correct these problems.
What is labiaplasty?
While nonsurgical vaginal rejuvenation usually addresses issues inside the vaginal canal, labiaplasty is a surgical procedure dealing with the outer appearance of the genital area. The procedure adjusts and alters the size and shape of the labia minora—the folds of skin around the vagina and the clitoris.
Labiaplasty removes excess skin to help you feel more comfortable and confident during intimacy. These adjustments also correct asymmetry and alleviate discomfort felt during exercise. It is an effective way to address changes to genital laxity caused by pregnancy, menopause, and major weight loss, one of the reasons it’s often included as part of a mommy makeover.
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure that uses general anesthesia or IV sedation. You can expect to return to work about 2 days after surgery and see your final results after 1 month or sooner. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers additional information about the procedure and recovery and a 3-D animated video of the surgical procedure.
How to choose the right procedure
Choosing the right procedure depends on your specific needs.
- Nonsurgical vaginal rejuvenation works best for older patients who experience vaginal dryness or laxity and want to make sex feel more comfortable and enjoyable.
- If you struggle more with the outer appearance of your intimate areas, labiaplasty is the better option. The surgery shapes the genital area, creating a smoother, “tucked in” appearance that many find more aesthetically pleasing.
If you’re living with pain or discomfort, don’t be ashamed of choosing a treatment to find relief. Both labiaplasty and vaginal rejuvenation can improve your quality of life in unique but complementary ways. You can see some of my patients’ labiaplasty before-and-after photos in my photo gallery.
If you’re in the Columbia area and considering plastic surgery such as labiaplasty, whether you’re from Ellicott City, Baltimore, MD, or beyond, we welcome you to request a consultation with us online. You can also contact our two convenient offices by phone at (410) 884-4200 (Ellicott City) or (410) 751-2348 (Westminster).
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