Genital plastic surgery has been around for years, the most popular surgery being vaginal reconstruction and rejuvenation. Vaginoplasty and labiaplasty surgeries have been sought out by women around the country for decades for their ability to enhance the quality of life of patients who undergo them. These surgeries can not only improve the strength of pelvic muscles that is often lost after childbirth or with age, but can also improve the cosmetic look of the labia, increasing the patient’s self esteem and confidence.
And now, research shows that the number of genital plastic surgeries is on the rise, especially in Britain. But while more women are choosing to undergo surgery, the age of the women opting for vaginal reconstruction treatments is getting lower.
According to British researchers, young women and even teen girls are electing to have surgery to improve the appearance of the vagina and surrounding tissue. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists reported a fivefold increase in the number of labiaplasty treatments over the past ten years.
But the reason behind the rise in the UK surgeries is even more shocking. Researchers are attributing the spike in genital surgery interest to, of all things, explicit videos showing female genitalia.
“The misapprehension arises from the prominence of just one type of ‘neat’ genital appearance, the type to be found prominently depicted in pornography,” explained Thomas Baldwin of RCOG’s ethics committee to the Agence France-Presse.
Though most women who seek these types of surgeries are struggling from loss of tightness, looseness in the labia or cosmetic imperfections, in the UK, the researchers say teens and young women just want to improve the appearance of genitals that do not need any improving.
“The younger a girl begins her labiaplasty trajectory, the higher the number of operations over her lifetime and the greater the risk of scarring and sensitivity loss,” researchers wrote.
The researchers do have a very valid point. Many individuals who have elected to undergo surgery at a young age end up getting more surgeries they may not need. While plastic surgery can drastically improve a patient’s self esteem, there comes a point where an individual may become fixated on getting surgery for the sake of getting surgery.
Heidi Montag and Amanda Bynes are perfect examples of young women who may have benefited from minor plastic surgery, but who ended up taking things too far. A skilled, Board Certified plastic surgeon knows how to determine whether a prospective patient needs a treatment or not and will never perform a procedure that will be detrimental to their health.
Here at Shafer Plastic Surgery, NY plastic surgeon Dr. David Shafer always consults with patients and examines the individual before approving a treatment or not. Though a patient may want a specific treatment, not everyone is a good candidate for a specific cosmetic surgery procedure, and it takes a very experienced and dedicated surgeon to understand that.
Vaginal rejuvenation is not recommended for women under 18 years of age, whose bodies are still developing. In the U.S., the number of these types of procedures has also increased but not among younger women, as in the UK. It’s important to always consult with an experienced plastic surgeon before making the decision to undergo any type of treatment to make sure you are a good candidate.
