How Much Can Philtrum Reduction Surgery Reduce the Length?

The philtrum is the area that descends from the nose to the mouth, located at the center of the face and playing an important role in determining overall balance. There is a saying that a face is considered fortunate when this area is not too short or too long, and when the groove is clear and distinct rather than faint. In other words, although it is not as visually striking or decisive for appearance as the eyes, nose, and mouth, its shape determines the overall mood and image. Even from philtrum reduction surgery reviews, you can see that just reducing the length by a few millimeters can make a noticeable difference. If you are concerned about the unusually long distance between your nose and lips, we recommend considering treatment at A Top Plastic Surgery Clinic.

What Is a Beautiful Philtrum?

When we say that the eyes are beautiful, we mean they are large, have a double eyelid line, and are moderately open in both the inner and outer corners so they look clear and defined. For the nose, a beautiful nose is one that is sleek, straight, and has a smooth line. Lips should also have moderate fullness, with the cupid’s bow not drooping and the mouth corners appearing as if they are carrying a smile. Then what kind of philtrum can be considered beautiful? Rather than being too short or too long, it should be at an appropriate average length, and the shape of the upper lip’s cupid’s bow connected to it should be clear.

It is also better if there are no wrinkles, scars, or marks, and it should not be interrupted in the middle. Based on women, the average length is about 15 to 18 mm, but depending on factors such as the overall face size, the proper proportions with other areas, and the shape of the mouth, even the same length can look somewhat different. For a philtrum reduction surgery review that is beautiful and satisfying, it is a good idea to estimate the appropriate length and proportion through consultation and then establish a surgical plan.

A Long Philtrum Can Make You Look Older

The philtrum, which is the distance between the nose and the lips, is a very small area, measuring just over 1 cm and not even reaching 2 cm. The average vertical length of the face is about 23 to 24 cm, so this area accounts for less than one-tenth of the face. Even so, if the length here is only a few millimeters longer than average, the midface, and eventually the entire face, can look longer. This means you can appear older.

If the face looks long, people may describe it as a monkey-like face or a horse-like face, making the person look older and giving an impression of sadness or hidden worries. Just by changing the length of this area, the overall impression can become lively and youthful. That is what it means to look younger. In philtrum reduction surgery reviews, you can see that even without touching other areas, simply shortening this length can transform an older-looking face into a younger-looking one.

You Need to First Identify the Cause of a Long Philtrum

You need to first identify why the philtrum is long, because the surgical method and plan will also change accordingly. Some people are born with a naturally long philtrum, but in many cases, it becomes longer due to degenerative changes, meaning reduced skin elasticity caused by aging. In these cases, the philtral groove also becomes less distinct and the length increases.

In other cases, after orthognathic surgery, surgery for protruding mouth, or orthodontic treatment, the lips may move slightly inward, and the skin may also sag and seem to fold inward, causing the philtrum to droop. Even in philtrum reduction surgery reviews for revision surgery, it is not uncommon to see people who previously had orthodontics or orthognathic surgery visit again because they have new concerns about the midface or lower face.

If You Are Considering Revision Philtrum Reduction Surgery

When reducing a long philtrum, it is important to consider the overall face length and balance. The ultimate goal is natural and beautiful harmony. Looking at people who are considering revision surgery or are actually undergoing surgery again, there are cases in previous philtrum reduction surgery reviews where the length fell within the average range, but still somehow looked awkward. The reasons vary, but in some cases both lateral and medial surgery should have been performed, yet only the length was simply reduced. In other cases, the focus may have been only on shortening the length without considering the proportions of the mid-to-lower face and the face as a whole.

Of course, the purpose of surgery is reduction itself, but achieving harmonious beauty by balancing the overall face is ultimately the destination we should reach. Therefore, the surgical plan should be made with the golden ratio in mind for revision surgery. It is important to apply a design that preserves each individual’s unique character and innate beauty.

Natural Reduction Through Combined Medial and Lateral Surgery

The philtrum has a medial part and a lateral part. The medial part refers to the area between the nose and the lips, as we commonly understand it, while the lateral part refers to the outer area of the lips that extends along the nostril line to the corners of the mouth. When looking at philtrum reduction surgery reviews, if the surgery was done naturally, it is likely that both procedures were performed together. If only the medial part was reduced, revision surgery may be needed due to an unnatural appearance.

For the medial part, the surgery should reduce the long central section while giving the upper lip a slightly lifted, fuller appearance so that the philtrum and lip lines look clear. For the lateral part, correcting the outer area can make the mouth corners appear lifted, allowing the overall lip line to look more defined. When surgery improves both areas together like this, the reduction looks natural and an overall improvement in the mid-to-lower face can be expected.

We hope you can establish a surgical plan that considers the facial proportions and harmony suited to each individual, and through careful incisions and delicate suturing, make the scars inconspicuous so that you can reduce the philtrum as much as desired and achieve a face with golden ratio proportions.

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