Concerned About Midface Hallowing and Nasolabial Folds? How Goyaeuk Surgery Can Help

Goyaeuk surgery is a corrective procedure that fills in volume by inserting an implant or autologous tissue into the area beside the nose where the nasolabial fold, or nasolabial groove, appears sunken.

This surgery may be considered when the goal is to improve concerns such as nasolabial folds, a lack of facial definition, or hollow cheeks caused by aging.

So why is it called Goyaeuk surgery rather than nasolabial groove surgery?

The name "Goyaeuk" comes from the sculpted facial contours of Western nobility in the past. With the idea that a fuller nasolabial groove line gives a youthful and healthy impression reflected in Korea, the procedure came to be called Goyaeuk surgery.

The candidates for Goyaeuk surgery include:

• Cases where the area between the nose and mouth (the midface) is sunken, making the face look flat and plain
• Cases where the hollowness beside the nose is deep enough to create an older-looking impression
• Cases where prominent cheekbones make the lower face appear relatively sunken
• Cases where filler treatment for nasolabial folds has not produced satisfactory results
• Cases where midface volume has decreased after contouring surgery

For a more detailed diagnosis, you can visit a clinic and receive a thorough consultation with the medical staff to determine the appropriate surgical method.

The main methods used for Goyaeuk surgery include implant insertion, autologous fat grafting, and dermal grafting. In the case of implant insertion, materials such as silicone or Gore-Tex are placed into the nasolabial groove area. It is characterized by a long-lasting result and the ability to create structural volume. In the case of autologous fat grafting, unnecessary fat is harvested from the patient’s body and then injected. Its major advantage is its natural appearance because it uses the patient’s own tissue, but its duration may be somewhat shorter depending on the absorption rate, so repeat procedures may be needed.

At our clinic, to capture the advantages of both implants and fat grafting, we use Gore-Tex, which makes it easier to create customized implants. By using implants suited to each patient, we aim to increase satisfaction through long-lasting effects and a natural result.

In addition to the surgical improvements above, simple filler procedures are also sometimes considered. Filler treatments have the major advantage of producing immediate results, but depending on the product, their relatively short duration of about 6 months to 1 year may be a drawback.

The hollowness beside the nose and nasolabial folds make the midface look sunken, reducing facial definition and creating a flat facial image. By adding a natural-looking sense of volume, the face can appear more defined and give a younger, more youthful impression.

For this reason, when choosing a Goyaeuk surgery clinic, it is also important to know the key points to check. These include choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with a high level of understanding of facial anatomy, a wide range of implant and graft material options, and plenty of before-and-after photos and reviews, as well as a communication and recovery management system that continues even after surgery.

It is important to carefully check these factors and make a thoughtful decision.

Goyaeuk surgery is not simply a procedure that fills in nasolabial folds; it is a corrective procedure that balances midface volume and helps create a natural and healthy impression. However, whether it is the right procedure for you should always be determined through a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.