Why ‘designer vagina’ surgery has doubled for one surgeon in 2022

Talk about a nip and tuck.

Women are flocking to purchase a “designer vagina” after ultra-tight leggings have become uncomfortable or embarrassing thanks to the dreaded “camel toe.”

Called a labiaplasty, the procedure shrinks the labia minora — otherwise known as the flaps on the inside of the vagina — with a price tag of more than $4,000.

Dr. John Skevofilax, a chief surgeon at Signature Clinics in the UK, told Daily Mail that last year, he only performed 50 labiaplasties — yet in 2022 alone, that number’s already been beaten as of August.


Woman in leggings
Women are flocking to get labiaplasties due to legging discomfort.
Getty Images/EyeEm

Citing pain and discomfort as the reason for the surgery, Skevofilax explained how tight leggings and athleisure clothing can cause pain below the belt.

“Exercise clothing is a little bit tighter and it’s form-fitting so it does put pressure on the area,” he explained. “They experience pain, discomfort in general, chaffing … a lot of women will feel so uncomfortable that they avoid trying to wear this type of clothing.”

Yoga pants have long been the culprit for crotch-appearance suffering. In 2015, plastic surgeon Dr. Richard Swift told The Post that the “ubiquitous” activewear plays a “big part” in the uptick in labiaplasties.

“For those whose labia are enlarged, they can make them feel uncomfortable and exposed,” Swift added.


Kim Kardashian in neon green
The Kardashians are known for their love of tight athleisure.
Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Khloe Kardashian
Khloe Kardashian had a “bone to pick” with her sister and SKIMS founder, saying the crotch area of the body suits was too small.
Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

But the issue is more than just dealing with “camel toe.” Some women simply refuse to swap beauty for pain and want to wear trendy tights despite the agony.

“It’s all really interlinked, choosing a pair of leggings which causes discomfort and which in turn draws attention to the labia and the need for surgery,” he added.

The Kardashians have long been touted as wearers of athleisure couture, with Kim’s SKIMS brand dabbling in the trendy aesthetic. In fact, when designing her own bodysuits, she failed to keep those with “bigger vaginas” in mind, according to her sister.


Kim Kardashian
While Kim was committed to making her sister feel more comfortable in her loungewear, not all brands are following suit.
Marc Piasecki/WireImage

“You know you guys make fun of me for having a bigger vagina than most,” Khloé admitted to Kim during the first season of “The Kardashians” on Hulu, saying she had a “bone to pick” with SKIMS bodysuits. “It’s a sliver. Is it just supposed to cover my [clitoris]? The vagina needs a little more fabric, just a little wider.”

Despite Kim redesigning the SKIMS line to make the crotch area more suitable for all labia sizes, not every brand is willing to compromise for the sake of groins everywhere.


Purple yoga pants on a woman
Women often feel discomfort and pain while wearing yoga pants due to their tight-fitting nature.
Getty Images/iStockphoto

Skevofilax noted that 80% of his patients seeking a labiaplasty blamed discomfort in tight clothing as the reason for the surgery — not just for looks.

“In fact, I have never had a patient say, ‘I want my vagina to look like such and such a porn star,’” he said.

But buyers beware: Some cosmetic operations can go awry.

One woman complained of losing sensation below the belt due to her botched labiaplasty, highlighting the risks of the surgery — infections, scar tissue and reduced sensitivity — as an urgent warning to women considering the procedure.


Kim Kardashian with her kids Psalm and Saint
Labiaplasty demand soared this year for one surgeon as more women wore leggings.
Gotham/GC Images

Yet even the most determined women who wish to undergo the scalpel — or laser — to relieve their crotch crisis must have a consultation to ensure they’re “making the right decisions for themselves,” said Skevofilax.

“Women should be able to wear whatever they want to wear,” he said. “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.”