How Old Do You Need to Be to Get Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty can provide significant improvement in appearance and symptons for the right candidate, but how old do you need to be to qualify? Dr. Steven Yarinsky recently provided his professional opinion for this question on the online medical forum RealSelf. He explains that labiaplasty–more specifically, labia minora reduction–can be performed on younger women or teenagers, but if underage, the following must apply to the patient:
- Mature-minded
- Motivated by her own desire and not influenced by others
- Realistic expectations
- Consent from a parent or legal guardian
While most of his patients are women over the age of 18, Dr. Yarinsky has performed labiaplasty on patients as young as 16 years of age. He says that a labiaplasty is appropriate and quite beneficial whenever there is chafing, irritation, and pain resulting from playing sports or wearing tight clothing. It is important for these young women to understand, however, that labiaplasty is not the answer to social or relationship problems. Since the motivation behind young women seeking labiaplasty varies, Dr. Yarinsky discourages some women from undergoing the procedure if he feels their goals and physical needs cannot be met.
To learn if you are a good candidate for labiaplasty, you should schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in treatment of labia minora hypertrophy, one who has a consistent track record of excellent results. If you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian accompany you to your consultation (unless you are legally emancipated). During your appointment, you will be able to discuss your physical needs, expectations, and goals for surgery. Dr. Yarinsky also takes this time to explain the different types of female intimate surgery. He provides before and after pictures of previous patients to help you understand what you can achieve with surgery. Additionally, Dr. Yarinsky will go over potential complications that may arise and how these are managed.
In the end, you should feel completely comfortable and confident with your choice of plastic surgeon. If you have any doubt, it may be helpful to get a second opinion from another qualified plastic surgeon.
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Labiaplasty can be a life-changing procedure for women of all ages. Dr. Yarinsky has seen how ecstatic young women can be with their surgical outcome, as they can live their life with more comfort and confidence. What used to be a “problem area” is no longer an issue. If you would like to schedule a consultation to learn how labiaplasty can address your physical and cosmetic needs, please contact us today.