These days you can get filler just about anywhere; your under-eyes, cheekbones, nose, and of course lips – but we aren’t just talking about the ones on your face.
That’s right, people are now getting filler in their vulvas, thanks to the increasingly-popular practice of labia puffing.
While the cosmetic procedure has been around since the mid-2000s, it’s recently become a hot topic after being discussed by Caitlin Howden and Emily Key on The Weekly Breakdown podcast in December.
Explaining, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist for The Portland Hospital Dr Shazia Malik tells Metro: ‘Labia puffing uses dermal fillers, like hyaluronic acid or fat, to restore volume to the labia majora (the outer lips of the vulva).
‘The minimally invasive procedure is designed to enhance appearance by increasing fullness, smoothness, and symmetry.’
Podcast hosts Caitlin and Emily likened it to ‘looking for a camel toe’ and wanting a ‘puffy p***y’. But let’s be real, there’s a serious reason some of us want to alter how our vulvas look.
Why do women get labia puffing?
‘The procedure is most sought after by women looking to regain a youthful, fuller appearance due to age, weight loss, or childbirth,’ Dr Malik explains.
All three of the above can cause the labia to look more deflated or ‘saggy’ which can, understandably, lead to insecurity for some.
‘Many women seek the procedure to address perceived imperfections or asymmetry,’ she adds. ‘Aside from aesthetic improvement, labia puffing can also increase confidence, particularly in intimate situations.’
Chafing is another problem which can cause discomfort, and can also be a factor into the decision to get one’s labia puffed.
But others choose to have work done simply due to general self-consciousness about their genitalia’s appearance, which isn’t exactly surprising given how social media and porn contribute to unrealistic body standards.
The Centre for Surgery, an aesthetic surgery based in London claimed labia puffing as ‘contributing to a more aesthetically pleasing and youthful appearance’. It’s a nod to the age-old idea that a woman’s greatest pursuit is to look as young as possible, with a plump vagina seen as the latest accessory for those wanting to remain ageless.
But proving that body insecurity defies generations, a University of Melbourne study that found girls as young as 13 were already worried about how their vaginas look.
‘There is no “perfect” or “ideal” appearance for genitalia—just as with any other body part, every vagina is unique,’ says Dr Malik. ‘Most concerns about vaginal appearance stem from societal pressures and misinformation, not actual issues.’
She warns that while discomfort or health concerns should be addressed with medical professionals, ‘cosmetic procedures should only be pursued if they are personally desired.’
‘Labia puffing is a personal choice, and like any cosmetic procedure, it should be approached with careful consideration,’ Dr Malik adds.
‘While it can offer aesthetic benefits and boost confidence, it’s important you seek procedures for your own reasons and not because of societal pressures or unrealistic expectations.’
The Weekly Breakdown’s Catilin echoed this sentiment, saying: ‘I’m all for any kind of modification, as long as it’s coming from a place of “for me”.’
What are the risks and benefits of labia puffing?
The obvious benefit to labia puffing, as Dr Malik points out, is the restoration of the labia majora’s appearance, giving it a plumper and more youthful look.
It’s also non-invasive, typically carried out with local anaesthetic and carrying fewer risks than surgical alternatives like labiaplasty, along with having a shorter recovery time.
But just because it has fewer risks, doesn’t mean they’re non-existent, and it helps to have all the facts before you cosmetically alter your body.
Dr Malik says: ‘The most common risks include swelling, bruising, and irritation at the injection site. Allergic reactions to the filler material, though rare, can also happen, and some patients may generally experience mild discomfort.’
It’s vital to make sure you’re going to a reputable surgeon too, because there is a chance of uneven results or asymmetry if the procedure isn’t done right. Additionally, overfilling can result in an exaggerated look, which you most likely don’t want.
Even if it all goes to plan, Dr Malik adds: ‘In some cases the filler material could shift or form lumps, leading to an unnatural appearance. There are some more serious complications like infection or damage to surrounding tissues too, but choosing a qualified practitioner can help minimise these risks.’
'I have one labia bigger than the other, I won't be shamed'
When Jill Lissner was just 15 years old, she went to the doctor, asking to have labiaplasty, a procedure which aims to reduce the size of the labia minora.
For those who need a refresher: the labia minora are the inner lips of the vagina (they begin at your clitoris and end under the opening to your vagina).
They come in all shapes and sizes, and there is literally no such thing as a ‘normal’ vagina, or labia, for that matter.
Jill, 25, told Metro.co.uk: ‘Going through puberty, I noticed that one side grew, and the other didn’t. It just felt different.
‘I was convinced men were not going to like this on me. I thought: “Are other people going to find this weird?’
‘[My mum] told me there’s no such thing as normal. She explained that my vulva was going to change too, especially if I decided to have children and give birth – it’s going to be ever-changing.’
After discovering that her sexual partners couldn’t care less what her vagina looked like, Jill’s confidence blossomed and she knew she didn’t need surgery.
It was a long journey to self-acceptance, but Jill is no longer ashamed. She embraces her vulva and even runs a popular popular sex education Instagram page, to encourage others to do the same.
How popular is labia puffing?
There’s been huge amounts of interest in labia puffing recently, with cosmetic surgeon Gerard Lambe from Reflect Clinic seeing a 20% spike in enquiries about the procedure.
‘In fact, demand for labia procedures as a whole are on an upwards trend,’ he tells Metro. ‘We’ve carried out more than ever in the last few years.
‘I performed 42 labia puffing procedures last year and most of these were an additional aesthetic request to a labiaplasty, but increasingly many women simply desire the filler option of a puffing procedure on its own.’
According to Dr Lambe, ‘very few opt for labia puffing out of pure vanity or societal pressures to have a perfect vagina.’
In fact, in his opinion, ‘Most women simply want to feel better in their skin and to solve what may have been an excruciatingly embarrassing issue for years – perhaps from childbirth or the menopause when tissue plumpness and elasticity decreases due to hormones.’
‘I vet and appraise all patients to make sure they are emotionally and psychologically in a happy, healthy balanced state of mind before any procedure,’ the surgeon adds.
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‘Most women tell me they’re opting for the procedure to feel physically better and more comfortable, not to please a partner.’
When it comes to costs, Dr Lambe explains he charges up to £500 per ml of filler, so the total cost depends on the amount of filler required.
‘The first ever procedure starts with smaller amounts so that a top up is possible,’ he explains. ‘If puffing is combined with a labiaplasty, that can cost in the region £2,000 to £4,500.
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Both Dr Lambe and Dr Malik urge people to do their research before undergoing the treatment and choosing a practitioner, with the former warning: ‘Don’t be tempted by low cost offers as these may not include consultations or follow-up care.’
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