Labiaplasty: laser cut or scissor trim?

Not sure where you’ve been doing your research that shows that but I will tell you, that after doing labiaplasty surgery for 21 years and counting and having been involved in formal research studies, what really matters is the reputation and technical skills of the surgeon wielding the device, whether it be a laser or scissors or a scalpel. Be sure to look at a particular labiaplasty specialist surgeon’s before and after photos and make sure they have plenty to show you, not just 3 or 4 examples. Hope this helps.

Scissors are a poor choice for labiaplasty because they can only produce full-thickness cuts. Labiaplasty is all about precision and controlled, layered cuts. These can only be produced with lasers, radiofrequency scalpels, and conventional steel scalpels. Lasers and radiofrequency scalpels have the advantage of being able to seal blood vessels as they cut and this creates a nearly bloodless surgical field. This produces less swelling, less need for hemostatic sutures, smoother contours and generally a more comfortable recovery. As far as laser vs radiofrequency scalpel, most experts prefer the RF scalpel because it produces less burning of the tissues and even better healing. Scissors are used occasionally for small finishing touches.

Scissors are not routinely utilized in labiaplasty. A laser could be used, but it may be more costly. In general, labiaplasty is performed with a precise scalpel and a bipolar electronic device.

Lasers burn tissue. Burned tissue has longer healing time and worsening scars. While Doctors may use catchy terms like laser or scalpel free or other types of wording, there is nothing that is better than a scalpel blade for the human skin. The blade thickness is 1/1000 of an inch and can heal like a Papercut. Please just focus on the results! What you find through reviews, photos and videos will give you an idea of what that surgeon is really capable of.

Hello Jasmine,

Thank you for your question. As a side note, this question has come up with another procedure, eyelid blepharoplasty, with regard to healing and recovery.

The answer is NO

It is a great marketing tool to suggest that a laser is absent of swelling, bruising, etc in recovery but that is not the case. Those issues (swelling, buising, etc) are are a predictable occurrence with any excicional procedure/surgery and and are not a function of the "tool." Rather, they represent your response of the tissue to the surgery and represent your body's healing process. Some ladies have more and some have less.

Hope this helps!

In good health,
Ellen Mahony, MD

Thank you for your question.Neither, Laser is a focused burn that leaves a char. scissors crush the proximate tissue. The scalpel does neither and will leave a thinner scar.

​If your labia minora are enlarged and cause discomfort, a labiaplasty is a good idea. However, it must be performed by a surgeon with experience. One of the two most common 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 labioplasty 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, scissors, or laser is used. This can lead to scallops and irregularities. 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. If you have extra tissue on your clitoral hood, it can be reduced it at the same time. 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. About 40% of the female genital cases I perform are revisions of labiaplasties and clitoral hoods botched by other doctors.

Gary J. Alter, M.D.
Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NY

Both methods can be traumatic to the tissue. The least traumatic option for excising excess labia is Radiofrequency. Since it causes minimal injury the healing process is excellent with minimal pain and the results are superior.
Go to the link below to see hundreds of B/A photos of labiaplasty procedures using the Ellman Radiofrequency device. You will find that the results are excellent and natural looking. From that link you may schedule a virtual consult via phone or zoom, at which time we can discuss in-depth your anatomy, expectations, and concerns. Women from all over the world travel to my Center for their Intimate Makeover under local anesthesia.
Best of luck,

Thank you for your inquiry. In skilled hands, the laser or the scalpel should have little impact on healing or the final result. It depends on the experience and preference of your surgeon far more than the actual technique. Trust your board certified plastic surgeon or gyn surgeon with his or her advice. Best of luck to you.

There may be a little tissue necrosis in laser incision procedures. Tissue necrosis does not occur in incisions made with scissors or scalpel. In the laser incision process, the incision is not as smooth as a scalpel. Such articles are written for the advertisement of laser devices. I have a laser device, but I do my surgeries with a scalpel and scissors.