Labia majora reduction surgery may be considered when significant sagging and itching interfere with daily life. 

However, excessive skin removal may cause tightness and discomfort, making it important to plan the surgery according to the shape, wrinkles, and skin thickness of the labia majora. For concerns such as volume loss, wrinkles, or reduced elasticity, non-surgical options such as volumizing injections or radiofrequency treatments may be considered.

Many patients visit our clinic with concerns about sagging, volume loss, or itching of the labia majora and ask about surgical and non-surgical treatment options. The labia majora are exposed to constant friction when we sit and walk. Because hair grows in this area and sanitary pads come into direct contact with the skin, the labia majora are subjected to more irritation than many people realize.

Aging and childbirth may also cause the labia majora to become stretched or lose elasticity. 

In some cases, volume loss can make the area appear hollow and cause wrinkles to become more noticeable.

As women who have personally experienced physical changes before and after childbirth, 

our medical team deeply understands these concerns.

Patients often visit us with similar issues, and some simply say:

“Please remove the stretched skin from my labia majora.”

1. More Skin Removal Does Not Necessarily Lead to Better Results

Some patients who visit us because of sagging or itching ask us to remove as much of the uncomfortable tissue as possible.

However, labia majora reduction surgery is not simply about removing a large amount of stretched skin. 

Excessive skin removal can cause tightness and may even lead to further discomfort.

For this reason, surgery should be individually planned by considering the shape of the labia majora, the pattern of the wrinkles, and the thickness of the skin. Only an appropriate amount of tissue should be removed.

2. A Case of Labia Majora Reduction Surgery Accompanied by Chronic Vulvar Itching

One of our patients had suffered from severe vulvar itching for more than ten years. She had visited a university hospital and undergone various treatments, including steroid ointments and injections.

However, her discomfort persisted, and she eventually came to our clinic as a last resort.

At the time of her visit, repeated scratching had caused significant lichenification, and extensive areas of skin whitening were also present.

For this patient, labia majora reduction surgery was performed conservatively to avoid excessive tissue removal. Plasma care and allogeneic tissue-derived injections were also used to help manage the itching. Her symptoms subsequently improved considerably.

However, itching of the labia majora does not always mean that reduction surgery is necessary. 

If sagging is mild or itching is manageable, symptoms may improve with non-surgical care alone.

Therefore, rather than worrying from the outset that surgery will be required, 

it is advisable to first undergo an evaluation and discuss the available options with a medical professional.

3. Surgical Process and Recovery After Labia Majora Reduction

It can be difficult to determine the final surgical design with complete certainty before any skin is removed.

In the operating room, we initially remove approximately 80% of the planned amount and then assess the tension of the remaining skin. We check whether the skin feels excessively tight before deciding whether any additional tissue should be removed.

Once too much labial skin has been removed, it can be difficult to reverse. For this reason, we explain in advance that the full amount originally planned may not be removed if the remaining skin appears too tight during surgery.

More recently, the necessary tissue is removed through the inner side of the labia majora. After meticulous bleeding control, the incision is closed using a concealed suture technique. With this approach, the recovery period may be comparable to that of labiaplasty.

Some pain may occur on the first day after surgery. Applying gentle pressure with an ice pack and taking the prescribed pain medication can help reduce discomfort.

In many cases, swelling and pain improve considerably within one or two days, allowing patients to return to their daily routine. However, the degree of pain and swelling, as well as the speed of recovery, may vary from person to person.

4. Treatment Options for Volume Loss and Wrinkles of the Labia Majora

Some patients visit us because the labia majora have become stretched, while others are concerned that the area appears hollow, lacks elasticity, or has developed noticeable wrinkles.

In these cases, treatments other than labia majora reduction surgery may be considered. The most suitable treatment depends on whether the patient wants to directly restore volume or prefers a more gradual and natural improvement in elasticity and wrinkles.

1) Juvelook and Fillers for Direct Volume Restoration

Juvelook and dermal fillers can be used to directly restore volume to the labia majora.

Injection treatments may therefore be considered for patients with noticeable hollowing or those who want a relatively immediate improvement in volume.

2) Volnewmer and RF Treatments for Elasticity and Wrinkles

Patients who prefer a natural improvement in elasticity and wrinkles rather than direct volume enhancement may consider treatments that use radiofrequency energy.

Volnewmer is widely known as a facial lifting device. 

At Gangnam DAUM Women’s Clinic, 

however, a dedicated applicator for the external genital area allows the treatment to be performed on the labia majora as well.

A careful assessment of the individual tissue condition is important before proceeding with treatment.

3) Re2O for Fine and Deeper Wrinkles of the Labia Majora

Re2O may also be used on the labia majora. It may help improve both fine lines and relatively deeper wrinkles by allowing treatment to target areas of volume loss at different tissue depths.

The location of hollowing, wrinkles, and reduced elasticity can vary throughout the labia majora. Each area should therefore be assessed individually when planning treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Q. Can Volnewmer be used on the labia majora?

A. Volnewmer is best known as a facial lifting treatment. At our clinic, a dedicated applicator for the external genital area enables us to perform Volnewmer treatment on the labia majora. 

When the labia majora have begun to sag with age, the treatment may help improve tissue firmness and provide a lifting effect. Because Volnewmer generally involves relatively little pain and downtime, it may be suitable for patients who are particularly concerned about these factors.

Q.Can I undergo labia majora surgery if I am older?

A. Labia majora surgery is often sought by older patients who wish to improve their daily comfort and quality of life.

Patients in their 60s and older may also be eligible for surgery, depending on their overall health and individual condition. Gangnam DAUM Women’s Clinic provides a personalized aftercare program to support a smooth recovery.

Q. Will I need to return to have the stitches removed?

A. At Gangnam DAUM Women’s Clinic, we use fine absorbable sutures rather than nylon stitches,

so a separate stitch-removal appointment is generally unnecessary.

The incision is also closed beneath the skin using a concealed suture technique without visible external knots. 

This approach is intended to minimize concerns regarding scarring and foreign-body sensation.

Labia majora surgery is not about removing as much stretched tissue as possible. 

The procedure should be performed conservatively within a range that does not cause excessive skin tension, 

taking into account the shape, wrinkles, and skin thickness of the labia majora.

Reduction surgery may be considered when significant sagging and itching interfere with daily life. 

However, if the main concerns are volume loss, reduced elasticity, or wrinkles, non-surgical treatments such as Juvelook, fillers, Volnewmer, or Re2O may also be considered.

At [Gangnam DAUM Women’s Clinic], we carefully assess the degree of sagging, volume loss, wrinkling, and itching before recommending surgical or non-surgical options based on each patient’s condition and desired outcome.

If you are concerned about sagging or volume loss of the labia majora, we recommend consulting a qualified medical professional to determine which treatment option may be appropriate for your current condition.