Philtrum Reduction for Middle-Aged Patients: Correcting the Lengthening Area Between the Nose and Upper Lip with Age

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients,

correcting the area between the nose and upper lip that lengthens with age

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This is Glovi Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients

A clinic that upholds the principles of plastic surgery, Glovi Plastic Surgery Clinic
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Why does the area around the mouth

look heavier over time even though

you have not gained weight?

Many people visit us with this concern.

The philtrum actually becomes longer with age.

As skin elasticity decreases,

the tissue beneath the nose gradually descends.

This single change can make the overall appearance

look much more tired and heavy than expected.

When considering philtrum reduction in middle age, the first concerns are

scarring and the recovery period.

In this article, we will address these issues honestly.

There is a specific reason why the philtrum

becomes longer with age

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients

Many people say this during consultations:

Every time they look in the mirror, the sagging around the mouth seems severe,

but they have not gained weight,

so why is this happening?

Whenever we hear this question, we explain:

This is not a problem of excess fat,

but a problem of tissue sinking downward.

As collagen and elastic fibers within the skin

decrease with age, the tissue beneath the nose loses its ability

to resist gravity and gradually moves downward.

As a result, the philtrum, which measured about 1–1.5 cm

when you were young, becomes noticeably

longer in your 40s and 50s.

This is different from simply developing wrinkles.

As the tissue itself moves downward,

the corners of the mouth may appear drooped,

and the sensation of the lip volume being lifted upward decreases,

causing the overall appearance to become heavier and more tired.

Many people who visit us because they remain dissatisfied

even after receiving fillers have, in fact,

experienced an increase in the length of the philtrum itself.

Simply filling or tightening the tissue can be insufficient,

and in some cases, an approach that actually reduces the excess skin

is necessary.

This is why philtrum reduction can be a meaningful

option after middle age.

Surgical planning suited to middle-aged skin,

this is the key point

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients

Could the scar become

more noticeable after surgery because of my age?

This is one of the concerns we hear most often.

To be honest,

this concern is not entirely unfounded.

After middle age, skin regenerates more slowly,

and when tension is placed on the suture line,

the scar is relatively more likely to widen

or become discolored.

The area from beneath the nose to the lips moves constantly

when speaking or eating,

so this tension issue is particularly pronounced.

That is why the placement of the incision is crucial.

We carefully separate and approach the inner and outer areas,

taking into account the anatomical characteristics of

the inner layer of the nostril floor and

the boundary where the nostril wings naturally fold.

The incision is designed to be located where it is not visible

from the front.

Along with removing the excess skin, we also secure

and lift the underlying tissue with sutures.

If only the surface is removed, the pulling force is concentrated on the skin,

but when the underlying tissue is fixed as well,

the tension is distributed, which may reduce the likelihood

of the scar widening.

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients

It is also helpful to understand the recovery process in advance.

Swelling is most severe on the third day and gradually subsides afterward,

and the sutures are removed on the seventh day.

Because the recovery period after surgery is a time when the skin is sensitive to ultraviolet rays,

applying sunscreen carefully for two months is important for scar care.

One additional point: if the reason the philtrum appears long

comes from the alignment of the teeth or the oral structure,

it may be difficult to achieve the desired change

with this method alone.

During consultation, we also examine the face from the front,

at a 45-degree angle, and from the side

to accurately identify such cases in advance.

You do not have to regard the changes in the appearance around your mouth

that come with age as merely signs of aging.

Glovi Plastic Surgery Clinic's principle is to provide transparent guidance

about the possibility of side effects and the approach suited to each individual case.

If you would like to first determine accurately

whether the changes are caused by sagging skin

or by another factor, please feel free to contact us.

We will help you find the right approach for you

without unnecessary trial and error.

※ Please note that depending on the individual, side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, scarring,

or asymmetry may occur after surgery.

Glovi Plastic Surgery Clinic
Thank you for reading this long post. ​ When making an appointment or consultation, please just mention, “I contacted you after seeing your blog.” ​ We will be delighted to assist you with even greater care and attention!

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Glovi Plastic Surgery Clinic

is located a one-minute walk from Exit 4 of Apgujeong Station on Subway Line 3,

at 5th and 6th floors, EGI Building, 843 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Consultations can be booked on both weekdays and weekends.

All consultations are conducted privately on a one-to-one basis.

For detailed inquiries and appointments, please leave a message through the channel below.

Philtrum reduction for middle-aged patients