According
to surveys conducted by plastic surgery societies, vaginal cosmetic surgery is one
of the fastest growing procedures. Also, the traffic volume of the Internet
search on the topic of vaginal cosmetic surgery has increased tremendously,
reflecting the great interest in and the demand for vaginal cosmetic surgery.
Why?
I think
there are several reasons, but the main reason is the awareness of the
aesthetics of the vagina and that something can actually be done to address the
concerns regarding the look and function of the vaginal area.
I have
been performing vaginal cosmetic surgery for over 25 years. Until about 10
years ago, very few women were aware of cosmetic surgery to correct the look
and function of the vagina. Before then, if a woman was courageous enough to
ask about her larger hanging vaginal lips, her physician most likely would have
said that it was just a normal variant and not to worry about it. The woman, of
course, remained wondering whether or not she was normal, and was still
embarrassed by her large, hanging labia.
About
10 years ago, nude images became widely available on the Internet, and through
this medium, the “normal look” and “beauty” of the female genital area has been
defined, rightly and wrongly. Women now can compare themselves to the “stars”
and want cosmetic improvement to the genital areas. Many plastic and cosmetic
surgeons started to address the increasing demands for labioplasty, and the
media has been fueling that trend. Even the plastic surgery TV shows have covered
this once sensitive area of intimate aesthetics.
This is
a good trend. Aesthetics of the intimate area is no different than that of the
face. Large, hanging lips of the vagina have the same negative aesthetic effect
as a larger than average nose, both causing self-consciousness and insecurity.
Years ago, I had a young nursing student from Oregon come to see me about her
large labia. Her boyfriend made some insensitive comments about them, and she
was devastated. Her local gynecologist could not help her, and she was greatly
distressed. When I explained how I could help her with a simple labioplasty,
her tearful gratitude was touching. Her extreme joy after seeing the surgical
result was one of my most gratifying moments in my professional life. Yes, I am
happy that vaginal cosmetic surgery is becoming well known and popular. It
brings joy and confidence to so many women.
Michael Lau, MD
Michael Lau, MD
