Labiaplasty & Feminine Rejuvenation

Labiaplasty is a small, precise surgery that can make a big difference in how you feel every day. For many women, enlarged or asymmetric labia cause rubbing in clothes, discomfort with exercise or intercourse, and embarrassment in swimsuits or intimacy. You don’t have to simply “live with it” or feel ashamed to bring it up.

At Dr. Kelly Killeen's Beverly Hills practice, we offer labiaplasty and related feminine rejuvenation procedures in a discreet, supportive environment, with a focus on natural-looking results and preserved sensation.

Procedure type

Outpatient surgery

Focus

Labia minora (inner lips), sometimes with clitoral hood or labia majora refinement

Goals

Reduce excess tissue, improve symmetry, create a more balanced, tucked contour

Anesthesia

Local with sedation or general anesthesia

Surgery time

About 1–3 hours, depending on complexity

Recovery

Back to most desk work in ~5–7 days; exercise and intercourse typically 4–6 weeks

Longevity

Long-lasting, though pregnancy, childbirth, and aging can change the area again

The vulva includes the:

Genetics, hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, childbirth, and aging can all affect how this area looks and feels.

Medically, a very wide range of vulvar shapes is normal. But “normal” doesn’t always mean comfortable. It is completely reasonable to seek treatment if your anatomy causes pain, irritation, or self-consciousness.

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the length and bulk of the labia minora (inner lips), improve symmetry between the left and right sides, refine the border and contour of the labia, and in some cases, reduce excess clitoral hood tissue at the same time.

The goal is not to make everything look identical or “perfect,” but rather to prevent the inner labia from twisting, tugging, or hanging significantly below the labia majora, and to create a smoother, more balanced appearance that feels natural for your body.

Women choose labiaplasty for many reasons, usually a combination of functional and aesthetic concerns:

Many women feel embarrassed discussing these issues, sometimes for years. Part of our job is to make these conversations comfortable, respectful, and judgment-free.

Some women have enlarged or asymmetric labia from puberty onward. Others notice changes over time, especially:

Labiaplasty allows us to carefully reshape this tissue when it doesn’t rebound on its own.

Labiaplasty can offer both physical relief and emotional ease:

Physical Benefits

• Less twisting, pulling, or pinching with movement
• Reduced friction and irritation in clothing
• More comfortable workouts and sports
• Less visibility or bulk in tight outfits and swimsuits

Aesthetic and Emotional Benefits

• A more balanced relationship between labia minora and labia majora
• Improved symmetry between left and right sides
• Ability to wear lingerie, swimwear, and fitted clothing with greater confidence
• Feeling more comfortable and relaxed during intimacy
• Increased sense of ownership and comfort with your body

Your consultation is a chance to talk openly about issues many people never say out loud. During this visit, we will:

• Review your medical history and any prior surgeries
• Discuss your symptoms, goals, and concerns in detail
• Examine the anatomy of your vulva and surrounding tissues
• Review treatment options: labiaplasty alone, or labiaplasty plus clitoral hood or mons/labia majora refinement
• Look at before-and-after photos to clarify what type of change feels right for you
• Create a personalized surgical plan and discuss anesthesia, recovery, and expected results

You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions. Our goal is for you to leave feeling informed, heard, and never rushed.

You’ll receive specific written instructions, but preparation often includes:

• Medical clearance and labs, if needed
• Stopping smoking several weeks before surgery to support healing
• Avoiding certain medications and supplements that increase bleeding risk (such as aspirin, NSAIDs, and some herbs) for a defined period
• Arranging a ride home and some help the first day or two
• Pre-op skin prep, such as washing with an antibacterial soap the night before
• Following fasting instructions (nothing to eat or drink after a certain time before surgery)
• Arriving on surgery day without makeup, lotions, or jewelry

Following these guidelines helps minimize risks and sets you up for a smoother recovery.

Labiaplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your preferences and surgical plan. Every labiaplasty is performed at an accredited facility, either the Quad A (AAAASF) accredited surgery center in Dr. Killeen's Beverly Hills office or Cedars-Sinai, with board-certified anesthesiologists. There are two main approaches:

In many cases, techniques can be combined or modified to suit your anatomy. When appropriate, we may also reduce extra clitoral hood folds or refine the labia majora or mons for overall balance. All incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures and placed to be as discreet as possible. Labiaplasty can also be added to a mommy makeover when the combined surgery stays a safe length.

Everyone heals at their own pace, but a typical recovery looks like this:

1. First Few Days

   Soreness, swelling, and mild bruising are normal. Discomfort is usually well-controlled with acetaminophen and cool packs. Rest with gentle walking. Keep the area clean and dry.
2. Week 1

   Many patients return to desk work or school after 5–7 days. Wear loose, breathable clothing. Avoid heavy lifting and sitting directly on hard surfaces for long periods.
3. Weeks 2–4

   Swelling continues to improve. Light activity is fine, but avoid strenuous exercise, running, tight jeans/leggings, tampons, intercourse, swimming, or hot tubs.
4. Weeks 4–6+ & Long-term

   Gradual return to full exercise, fitted clothing, intercourse, and tampons (once cleared). Most swelling gone by 6 weeks; finer swelling settles over months. Scars soften and fade.

Labiaplasty is a relatively small outpatient operation, but as with any surgery, there are potential risks, including bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, unfavorable scarring, over- or under-resection, or persistent asymmetry.

Over-resection can lead to chronic dryness, tightness at the vaginal opening, or discomfort during intercourse, which is why conservative, precise planning matters. Our priority is to protect sensation and function, maintain natural anatomy, and achieve the improvement you want without over-shortening the labia. We’ll review all risks and how we minimize them during your consultation.

Energy-based devices, such as radiofrequency and laser treatments, are marketed for vaginal tightening, laxity, or dryness. In 2018 the FDA warned that no energy-based device had been cleared or approved for vaginal "rejuvenation," and that these procedures may be associated with serious adverse events, including burns and scarring. They also cannot remove extra labial skin. For women with significant excess tissue, surgery is the way to reduce it.