Photo of Qaqamba Falithenjwa

The intimate beauty trend: Is labia puffing the next big thing?

You thought the only lips that could need a filler were the ones on your mouth, think again. Cosmetic tweaks have come a long way, and these days, there’s a procedure for just about everything—including enhancing the appearance of your vagina lips. I know, just because you’ve never thought it would never really matter how you look down there, doesn’t mean everyone feels the same.

You might have heard about it and asked yourself if it’s just another beauty trend, or if is there more to it. Let’s break it down—without the awkward whispers.

Dr Natalia Novikova, a gynaecologist with a focus on minimally invasive surgery, pelvic floor disorders, and cosmetic gynaecology states that this procedure is to increase the volume of the labia majora, the outer genital lips, which can lose volume due to factors like childbirth, menopause, and weight loss. This is then believed to cause floppy, lax, and noticeable labia changes, which can also cause discomfort during sexual intercourse due to drier vaginal skin.

According to the Centre for Surgery, the procedure involves harvesting fat from the patient’s abdomen or buttocks, ensuring its viability for transfer, and injecting it into the labia majora to restore or enhance volume. This procedure is said to be safe and enduring, with a lower risk of complications like infection or rejection.

“For those who may not wish to undergo fat transfer or for whom fat transfer is not the most suitable option, hyaluronic acid-based fillers present an alternative. These fillers, known for their volumising properties, can be used to achieve similar enhancements, offering flexibility in how the procedure can be personalized to meet individual preferences and goals.”

Dr Mona Gohara, a cosmetic treatment specialist states that injecting filler into the body can lead to temporary and long-term complications, such as uneven results, lumps, and granulomas. She advises against performing ‘labia puffs’ due to the potential impact on intimacy and increased blood flow in the area.

According to the Allure website, fat transfer, a two-step surgical procedure, requires local anaesthesia and can cause anaesthesia complications like allergic reactions. Other risks are said to include scarring, fluid buildup, or fat embolism.

Also see: 5 Bikini wax styles you should know about

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