Laser Labiaplasty with CO2RE® surgical device

Although Labiaplasty is often portrayed as a purely cosmetic procedure, in fact the vast majority of patients at The Women’s Clinic have the laser surgery for medical reasons.

Physical discomfort as a result of long labia is most often the result of excessive friction between body and clothing. This friction can cause chafing, irritation and pain, and can often manifest as a result of physical activities such as sport, exercise, and even sex.

These issues can occur for any women, and in many cases they follow vaginal childbirth (which can cause stretching, asymmetry or elongated tissue) or perimenopause (during which hormonal changes can lead to a reduction in collagen and elasticity of the tissue).

Whatever the cause, longer labia occur naturally among many women, and are perfectly normal. They can however lead to discomfort or pain, which is why laser labiaplasty can provide a medically warranted solution.

At The Women’s Clinic, consultations are symptom-led. We assess whether labial tissue is contributing to functional discomfort and discuss appropriate treatment options based on clinical findings, rather than aesthetic ideals.

Labiaplasty procedures are not routinely available via the National Health Service, and funding is usually only available in certain medically-specific and exceptional circumstances. These include cases of trauma, congenital abnormality, or cancer-related reconstruction.

Women are usually advised to try more conservative measures first, such as changes in clothing, the use of emollient moisturising treatments and avoiding harsh soap or washing materials to reduce the likelihood of irritation.

While those approaches can bring positive results, they are not sufficient to help every women in every case. The Laser Labiaplasty procedure offers an alternate approach which may provide the relief desired.

Some of the possible side effects that patients report after having a laser labiaplasty include:

• Some pain, discomfort & swelling for up to 6 weeks
• Initially pain on passing urine (rarely)
• Bruising for up to 1 week
• Not uncommonly wounds oozing fluid
• Slight risk of infection and wound opening
• Some itching and irritation from stitches

No, sensation will not be affected, and once you have recovered from your Labiaplasty procedure, you should find that feeling and sensation are the same as before.

The recovery time after Laser Surgery is much faster and the risk of problems or complications significantly lower in comparison with a standard general anaesthetic surgical procedure.

You should feel more or less back to normal within 2-4 weeks and can resume sexual intercourse and exercise after 6 weeks. A moderate degree of pain and swelling normally lasts for the first week and is significantly reduced before the end of the first week.

Here is what can you expect following the Laser Surgical procedure:

You will experience swelling and discomfort in the area shortly after the treatment for a few weeks.

You will be given a Home Care kit with sterile dressings, pain relief and full instructions, and a special sensitive antiseptic spray to apply to the area when required plus full post treatment advice before you leave the clinic.

You will be comfortable to leave the clinic, although we suggest you do not drive for a few days. You will also be able to pass urine without any problem.

You should see an immediate and permanent effect, as soon as the swelling goes down.

However, initially there will be distortion and sensitivity during the healing process as the process of tissue contraction will take from 6 weeks up to 6 months.

The sutures to the area are dissolvable so will become invisible within a few weeks, we require you to visit for a post operative checkup at six weeks.

As there may be some pain or discomfort for up to 6 weeks after laser labiaplasty, patients may have to restricte physical some activities during that period.

We recommend abstinence from sexual intercourse and vigorous sporting activity for 6 weeks after the procedure.

Patients may also find that they need time off work to recover, so it is advisable to check this before committing to the procedure.

You will normally find that you are comfortable again within a week following the procedure. You’ll be able to carry out normal physical activities such as walking, standing or working from day one – so no need to miss time at work while recovering.

More strenuous physical activity such as running, spin classes and intercourse will take longer to become comfortable again, usually taking approximately six weeks after the procedure. Similarly, you should avoid baths and swimming pools for around four-to-six weeks.

The final result will be permanent. The shape of your labia will naturally continue to change with natural ageing, but will remain smaller than before procedure.

Contraindictions (i.e. where the CO2RE Intima surgical laser is unadvisable) are pregnancy, active inflammation of the vagina and vulva, infection, skin diseases of this area and cancer, where a much more extensive consultation is required for all surgical treatments. To adhere to all elective surgical procedure guidelines a time delay of more than two weeks must be allotted between consultation and surgical procedure.

All of our pricing information is on our Pricing page.