An International Study Conducted by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveals significant growth in Labiaplasty as more women choose to change the appearance of their genital area.
The results of an international study recently released by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), that surveyed cosmetic procedures in 106 countries, shows significant growth in a surprising area of cosmetic surgery: Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora, when a woman experiences discomfort from chaffing or twisting when exercising or feels self-conscious about the length of her “labia lips.”
The labia are the part of the vulva that most people call the “lips,” because they sort of look like lips.
Women have two sets of them: the larger, fleshier, hair-covered labia majora on the outside, and the smaller, smooth labia minora tucked inside those.
In 2016, the number of Labiaplasty procedures performed increased by 45%, with the top ten countries performing Labiaplasty procedures as follows:
| 1. USA | 13,266 | |
| 2. Brazil | 23,155 | |
| 3. Russia | 8,774 | |
| 4. Spain | 6,894 | |
| 5. Germany | 6,877 | |
| 6. Turkey | 5,448 | |
| 7. Colombia | 4,087 | |
| 8. France | 3,905 | |
| 9. Mexico | 3,758 | |
| 10. India | 3,540 | |
“There is a big misconception in the media and among some members of the public that Labiaplasty is not a cosmetic surgery procedure, but is some kind of female genital mutilation,” says Dr. Lina Triana, a Colombia-based plastic surgeon, and Board Member of ISAPS.
“Unfortunately, this is a common misunderstanding, but nothing could be further from the truth. Labiaplasty is a cosmetic procedure, no different than having a breast reduction or breast augmentation, that is intended to improve the quality of life for a patient.
“We see many women who are in a great deal of pain – pinching and chaffing, or sores caused by excess labia skin,” adds Dr. Triana.
“Most female patients request Labiaplasty to help minimize pain, while others request it to improve the aesthetic appearance of their genital area. This procedure empowers women, and helps them achieve a better quality of life through increased comfort and sexual confidence. Female genital mutilation, on the other hand, is the exact opposite, repressing a woman’s sexual function, as well as her confidence and her quality of life.”