Over the years, there have been some inexplicable trends. Like the time everyone was wearing fanny packs as a fashion accessory or the resurgence of low-waisted jeans.
One can say the sky’s the limit when it comes to fashion and beauty trends that future anthropologists and historians would have trouble explaining to society. But with the recent trend of women spending upwards of $4,000 to make their vaginas smaller so they can wear tight leggings and yoga pants without the pesky camel tow showing up, we’d say we’ve hit the ceiling.
Women are now getting their vaginas surgically altered to appear smaller and to make it easier and more comfortable for them to wear tight leggings and bodysuits.
Labiaplasty, the medical term for the procedure, shrinks the labia minora (the flaps on the outside of the vagina) so that the troublesome camel toe doesn’t show up when one is wearing the leggings.
UK-based Dr. John Skevofilax, chief surgeon at Signature Clinics, told Daily Mail that just last year he had performed 50 labiaplasties and the number has been crossed already in 2022, and it’s just August.
According to Skevofilax, vanity and appearance are not the only two reasons why women are rushing to get their vaginas altered. Apparently, tight clothing, especially athleisure, is causing discomfort and pain, leading to cosmetic surgery. Skevofilax noted that 80% of the patients seeking a labiaplasty blamed discomfort in tight clothing as the reason for the surgery.
But the leading cause of the rising numbers of women opting for a labiaplasty remains the shock and embarrassment of people discovering that women actually don’t have a Barbie-smooth crotch down there. With the growing popularity of tight leggings and bodysuits, made even popular by global influencers like Kim Kardashian and her brand SKIMS, this issue is steadily getting out of hand. The reality show superstar was called out for this by sister Khloe Kardashian in one of the episodes in the first season of The Kardashians when she pointed out that SKIMS bodysuits were not designed keeping “bigger vaginas” in mind.
“You know you guys make fun of me for having a bigger vagina than most,” said Khloe after telling Kim she has a “bone to pick with SKIMS bodysuits”, adding, “It’s a sliver. Is it just supposed to cover my [clitoris]? The vagina needs a little more fabric, just a little wider.”
While this led to Kim redesigning the bodysuits to be more inclusive of all labia sizes, it’s still common for most brands to be tight and form-fitting around the crotch area.
Not surprisingly, the surgery comes with its own list of concerns. A botched labiaplasty can lead to problems like infection, scar tissue, and loss of sensitivity. Not to mention, all vaginas are perfect the way they are and they don’t need to be altered because of a fashion trend. Skevofilax has some different thoughts on the matter, “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.”
All we can say is that body positivity has a long way to go in our society.
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