What’s the Difference Between a Barbie Labiaplasty and a Traditional Labiaplasty?

Barbie labiaplasty and traditional labiaplasty are not identical vaginal rejuvenation procedures. To better understand the similarities and differences between the two vaginal rejuvenation treatments, let’s take a look at Barbie labiaplasty and traditional labiaplasty procedures.

What Is a Barbie Labiaplasty?

The first Barbie labiaplasty procedure was performed in 2005 by urogynecologist Dr. Red Alinsod. The vaginal rejuvenation procedure’s name comes from the popular “Barbie” doll, and it is designed to give the vagina a “designer” look.

A Barbie labiaplasty involves a total reduction of the labia minora (inner lips) of the vagina. The procedure also helps move the labia majora (outer lips) of the vagina closer together.

Why Do Women Undergo Barbie Labiaplasty Procedures?

Labiaplasty procedures often help women address discomfort during sexual intercourse or discomfort that occurs during cycling and other sports. Barbie labiaplasty procedures may help women address these issues, too. Yet some women choose to undergo a Barbie procedure due to general unhappiness with their genital appearance.

Barbie labiaplasty is sometimes promoted as a vaginal rejuvenation procedure that can help women achieve an “ideal” genital appearance and boost their self-esteem. However, treatment results vary.

In a recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, researchers found the majority of labiaplasty patients were satisfied with their post-surgery genital appearance. Conversely, researchers noted that most labiaplasty patients experienced little to no improvement relative to psychological domains such as self-esteem and sexual confidence following surgery.

Is a Barbie Labiaplasty Safe and Effective?

Labiaplasty surgeries offer no guarantees, and a Barbie labiaplasty procedure is no exception. In certain instances, women undergo a second labiaplasty surgery to correct mistakes following a Barbie procedure.

What Is a Traditional Labiaplasty?

A traditional labiaplasty helps women address labia that may be too large or asymmetrical. Or, it may be used to treat labia that has become loose or stretched due to childbirth or aging.

Some women undergo a traditional labiaplasty because they are self-conscious about the labia’s appearance. Others may be motivated by functional reasons such as pain during exercise or other everyday activities, discomfort during sexual intercourse, or various hygiene issues.

Labia minora reduction and labia majora reduction are perhaps the two most common types of traditional labiaplasty procedures. A labia minora reduction helps women treat interior vaginal lips that have become stretched, loose, or enlarged and cause discomfort or embarrassment. During a labia minora reduction procedure, a surgeon removes excess or uneven skin from the interior vaginal lips. Comparatively, a labia majora reduction is used to reduce the size of the outer labia majora. During a labia majora reduction procedure, a surgeon removes excess or uneven skin from the outer vaginal lips.

If a patient fails to achieve her desired results during an initial labiaplasty, a revision procedure may be performed. Labiaplasty revision is typically completed under local anesthesia and allows a patient to address one or more of the following issues:

• Vaginal asymmetry
• Prominent vaginal edge that needs to be smoothed
• Vaginal scar that needs to be repaired
• Minor vaginal irregularity that needs to be corrected

If a woman is dealing with genitals that have a “top-heavy” look, clitoral hood reduction may be necessary. A clitoral hood reduction helps balance the results of a labiaplasty. It sometimes is performed at the same time as a labiaplasty, too.

For women who want to address a large clitoris, clitoral reduction surgery may be ideal. A clitoral reduction procedure usually requires only a few hours to complete. During the procedure, a surgeon elevates the clitoral head and removes the clitoris’ erectile shaft. He or she also repositions the shaft, removes redundant clitoral hood skin, and reduces the size of the clitoris’ head.

The success rates of traditional labiaplasty procedures are generally greater than 90%. Women can often undergo a traditional labiaplasty at an outpatient treatment center, and the side effects associated with a labiaplasty procedure are usually minimally. Plus, if a woman selects a highly trained urologist for her labiaplasty, she could enjoy safe, effective, and long-lasting treatment results.

Which Is Better: A Barbie Labiaplasty or a Traditional Labiaplasty?

Both Barbie labiaplasty and traditional labiaplasty procedures have been shown to help women achieve their vaginal rejuvenation goals. As such, choosing between a Barbie labiaplasty and a traditional labiaplasty is rarely simple.

Regardless of whether a woman chooses a Barbie labiaplasty or a traditional labiaplasty, it is important to work with an expert urologist. That way, a woman can evaluate all of her labiaplasty procedure options and make an informed treatment decision.

At Comprehensive Urology, our friendly, knowledgeable urologists are happy to meet with women and learn about their vaginal rejuvenation surgery goals. Our urologists offer personalized vaginal rejuvenation treatment recommendations to help each patient achieve the optimal results. To schedule a vaginal rejuvenation treatment consultation with one of our urologists, please contact us today at (310) 499-2756.

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