U.K.-based plastic surgeon Dr. John Skevofilax is noticing an increase in the number of “designer vagina” surgery requests, a trend he’s credited to the tightness of athleisure clothing and leggings.
The New York Post reported that the doctor has been performing more labiaplasty procedures in 2022 compared to the same time last year. Skevofilax noted that he performed 50 surgeries in 2021, and had already done that many in 2022 by this summer.
The procedure includes shrinking the labia minora, or the outer vagina area, to make it more compact and closer to the body. Labiaplasty can cost more than $4,000.
Skevofilax said since more women have been wearing tight leggings, it’s become painful for some who have larger labia minora to wear their favorite clothing.
“Exercise clothing is a little bit tighter and it’s form fitting so it does put pressure on the area,” he told the publication. “They experience pain, discomfort in general, chafing … a lot of women will feel so uncomfortable that they avoid trying to wear this type of clothing.”
The Kardashians have also addressed this issue in the past. In late June, Kim Kardashian made some design changes to her SKIMS brand bodysuit after Khloe complained that her “bigger vagina” didn’t fit into it.
“You know you guys make fun of me for having a bigger vagina than most,” Khloé told her sister during the first season of the “Kardashians” on Hulu. “It’s a sliver,” she said, referring to the bodysuit design. “Is it just supposed to cover my [clitoris]? The vagina needs a little more fabric, just a little wider.”
“@khloekardashian it’s your lucky day!!! I’m in a @skims design meeting and we’re going to widen the shapewear bodysuit Vagina area just for YOU,” Kim shared to her Instagram stories, per Page Six.
Dr. Skevofilax said most women seek surgery for comfort, not for looks, he told the Post.
“In fact, I have never had a patient say, ‘I want my vagina to look like such and such a porn star,’” he explained.
The plastic surgeon said anyone seeking the procedure must have a consultation to discuss their goals and set expectations.
“Women should be able to wear whatever they want to wear,” he continued. “If they choose tight clothing, for instance, yoga pants because they are following a specific fashion trend or just because it’s simply more fitting for this type of exercise, they should be able to do so without anxiety and ‘a bite of the lip’ of what’s to come.”