Would labia puffing alone help minimize the appearance of my inner labia?

Question

I’m open to labiaplasty but it will be very hard to find the time due to my job. I have a job that requires me to stand most hours and can’t afford to miss 3 weeks of work anytime soon. As an alternative, could labia puffing help reduce the appearance of my inner labia? My inner labia don’t protrude a ton, maybe 3-4 cm in the longest part—they mostly just carry redundant skin. Could puffing work for me?

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Labiaplasty and labia puffing are distinct procedures. Labiaplasty involves surgical reduction, while labia puffing typically refers to non-surgical methods like injectable fillers. Labia puffing may provide temporary fullness but isn't a substitute for addressing redundant skin. Consult with a qualified surgeon to discuss your concerns, alternatives, and find a solution tailored to your needs and lifestyle.

Best of luck !

Best of luck !

Gary J. Alter, MD · Answer

Labia puffing in your case would not significantly decrease the protrusion of your labia. Instead, it would just cause your labia majora to be very enlarged and protuberance. If desired, your labia minora and clitoral hood can be reduced to improve the appearance. A labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction can reduce your hood size. However, it must be performed by a surgeon with experience. One of the two most common labiaplasty techniques is the central wedge technique, which I invented in 1995 and published in the plastic surgery textbooks. It is also known as the "V" or wedge technique. Gynecologists and most plastic surgeons perform a labiaplasty very differently. They essentially trim the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) and leave a long suture line instead of the normal labial edge. Their technique is the same whether a scalpel or a laser is used. In contrast, the central wedge removes triangles of tissue and bring the normal edges together. Thus, the normal labial edges, normal color, and normal anatomy are preserved, but the darkest labial tissue is usually removed. There is rarely a sign that the woman has had surgery.

Since you have extra tissue on your clitoral hood, it can be reduced at the same time. Your clitoral hood is long and protuberant. It can be decreased somewhat by reducing the sides. I pioneered a clitoropexy with clitoral hood reduction in which the clitoris is pushed closer to the pubic bone and the width, thickness, length, and protuberance of the clitoral hood can be decreased. With this procedure, I lift up the clitoral hood skin, move the clitoris closer to the pubic bone, thin the tissues under the clitoral hood skin, and then remove a large amount of excess skin. This results in a dramatic decrease in the length, thickness, and protuberance of the clitoral hood, so that the hood is now within the labia majora when the woman stands. I have performed this procedure over 400 times with outstanding results.   I have not published this technique, so no one does it like me.​

You would only need to be out of work for a week or less if the surgery would be performed using my techniques.

No matter the technique, an inexperienced or unskilled surgeon can lead to a high rate of complications, chronic scar discomfort, labial deformities, and further surgery.​​ Approximately 40% of the female genital surgeries that I perform are reconstructions of other women's botched labiaplasties and hood reductions.

Gary J. Alter, M.D.

Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NYC

Falguni Patel, MD, FACOG · Answer

Since your labia majora already has plenty of volume, labia puffing which adds fullness to the outer lips likely won’t reduce the appearance of redundant inner labia skin. Labiaplasty, which surgically trims and reshapes the inner labia, is usually the most effective way to address excess tissue for both comfort and appearance. The good news is that labiaplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with a relatively quick recovery. Most people can return to work within a week and you usually wouldn’t need to miss a full three weeks. With proper planning and following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions, you can minimize downtime and get back to your routine sooner than you might expect.

Stephanie Molden, MD · Answer

While labia puffing can help hide the minora to some degree, labiaplasty is always better at this or in combination with puffing. Your photos show that you still have youthful fullness to the majora so keep in mind further puffing will enlarge them further and may cause a distinct camel-toe appearance. Surgical labiaplasty does require some recovery but most of my patients return to work within a week or so depending on the nature of the work they do. I would encourage you to seek a consultation in person to discuss this further with the surgeon you chose as it may not be as bad as you anticipate.

Best wishes!

Best wishes!

Burcak Tok, MD · Answer

Hello ,In the right cases, labia majora filler makes the inner lips less prominent. TRUE . However, as far as I can see from your picture, it would not be suitable for you. Because there is some size and sagging in the outer lips. Filling the prominent area on the edge of the outer lips with filler can provide a good appearance, but it does not make the inner lips look small.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

If you want to reduce the appearance of your inner labia, you need to reduce your inner labia. Injecting fat into the labia major won't work for you because the the labia minora are protruding too much. You will wind up with a giant cameltoe and the labia minora will still be protruding. However, you don't need three weeks off from work to recover from a labiaplasty. A few days will suffice. I recommend that you schedule a virtual consult with an expert and don't hesitate to travel by plane if necessary to find the right surgeon.

John L. Burns Jr., MD · Answer

A labiaplasty would be the best procedure to remove excess tissue from your labia minor.  Adding volume to the labia majora won't address the primary issue.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs.  It appears you would benefit more from a labiaplasty and clitoral hood procedure rather than labial puffing as your labia majora are already full.  Hope this helps.

Hazem Elshoreya, MD · Answer

I do not think you need more puffing. I think a labiaplasty is the way to go. You only need 5-7 days off work.

Would labia puffing alone help minimize the appearance of my inner labia?

Answers (9)

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