A Review of Upper Lip Reduction Surgery for a Long-Looking Face, and the Aesthetics of Midface Harmony Seen Through Facial Proportions

Hello,

I’m Dr. Lee Seong-joon, director at Liting Plastic Surgery, Seoul Branch.

As the year draws to a close, gatherings become more frequent,

and this is a time when there are

more opportunities to meet people.

With more chances to stand in front of a camera,

such as Christmas gatherings, year-end parties, and reunions,

people naturally become more interested

in their facial impression.

In the process, there are moments when

differences in one’s appearance in photos

become especially clear.

In particular, when the center of the face seems

longer or the area around the mouth feels saggy,

people often start to wonder,

“Has my philtrum gotten longer?”

For this reason, more and more people have recently

been looking for reviews of upper lip reduction surgery.

But what matters most

is understanding facial structure

rather than the surgery itself.

A facial impression is determined not by a single area,

but by the harmony of the overall proportions.

Today, let’s take a look at midface proportions

and the process of upper lip reduction surgery.

Table of Contents
1️⃣ Midface proportions that change depending on philtrum length​2️⃣ Key factors to consider when approaching upper lip reduction surgery​3️⃣ The principles and process of upper lip reduction surgery​4️⃣ Changes commonly mentioned in upper lip reduction surgery reviews​5️⃣ Not about making it shorter, but designing naturalness​6️⃣ Starting with an understanding of facial center proportions

1️⃣ Midface proportions that change depending on philtrum length

When the face is divided into three sections,

the area from the eyes to the tip of the nose is the upper third,

the area from the tip of the nose to the chin is the lower third,

and the space between them is the midface.

In this area, the length from below the nose

to the line above the lips is called the philtrum,

and if this area is long,

the face may be perceived as a long-looking face.

As people age, skin elasticity decreases,

and the border of the lips becomes thinner,

which can make the philtrum appear longer

and create a long-looking facial impression.

This kind of change

is part of natural aging,

but

when the proportions at the center of the face change,

the impression can feel different.

Ultimately, what matters is

adjusting the overall facial proportions.

When the proportions of the nose, philtrum, lips, and chin

are in harmony,

the face looks more balanced.

2️⃣ Key factors to consider when approaching upper lip reduction surgery

Upper lip reduction surgery is not simply about

reducing length.

What matters is a plan centered on proportion.

When considering upper lip reduction surgery,

the following factors should be reviewed together.

✔️ The height and length of the nasal tip

✔️ The relationship between the columella and the upper lip line

✔️ Lip thickness, volume, and skin elasticity

✔️ The position and slope of the chin tip

When these elements are balanced,

the central proportions are designed more stably.

In other words, the focus of the surgery is not on

“making it shorter,” but on

“making it look harmonious.”

3️⃣ The principles and process of upper lip reduction surgery

※ The patients above are clients who underwent surgery at Liting, and we inform you that the photos are used with consent.

※ The results in the above cases may vary depending on each individual’s condition, and the recovery process and degree of change may differ from person to person.

Upper lip reduction surgery is performed by

excising skin from the area below the nose,

at the lower part of the columella,

and then pulling the upper lip upward

and suturing it.

At this time, the incision line is designed in a curved shape

along the columella line,

aiming to reduce the visibility of the scar

by planning the incision accordingly.

Upper lip reduction surgery process
① Design stageThe incision range is planned by analyzing the individual’s facial proportions, nasal alar width, and lip shape.
② IncisionSkin is excised along the curve below the columella.
③ Adjusting philtrum lengthBased on the excised area, the upper lip is pulled upward and sutured.
④ SuturingFine suturing is performed while considering the direction of the skin fibers, and it is designed to reduce scar visibility in line with the columella.

Now that you understand the principles and process of the surgery,

let’s continue by looking at how the changes in facial impression

are described in upper lip reduction surgery reviews.

4️⃣ Changes commonly mentioned in upper lip reduction surgery reviews

※ The patients above are clients who underwent surgery at Liting, and we inform you that the photos are used with consent.

※ The results in the above cases may vary depending on each individual’s condition, and the recovery process and degree of change may differ from person to person.

There are expressions that commonly appear

across many reviews.

Sentences such as,

“The line above the lips looks more defined”

“The center of the face feels more organized”

are examples.

These expressions can mostly be understood as

changes in impression associated with the

visual center moving upward

as the length of the philtrum changes.

But one thing to keep in mind here is

that these changes may appear differently

depending on the individual’s facial structure

and recovery process.

The results do not appear exactly the same for everyone,

and the preoperative plan and postoperative care

have a significant influence.

5️⃣ Not about making it shorter, but designing naturalness

What is considered most important in the clinic’s work

with long-looking faces is not

“how much to reduce,” but

“how to reduce it.”

Upper lip reduction surgery

is a process of designing proportions.

To ensure a smooth flow in the face,

you have to consider the distance below the nose and above the lips,

as well as the line extending to the chin tip.

Also, every face has

its own unique structure.

Even if the same length is reduced,

it may feel harmonious to one person

and awkward to another.

That is why, during the planning stage,

sufficient consultation and the design process are important.

6️⃣ Starting with an understanding of facial center proportions

The reason people look for reviews of upper lip reduction surgery

usually comes from a wish to

“change the impression.”

But the first step to changing one’s impression

is understanding the structure.

Many people seek information through upper lip reduction surgery reviews,

but behind that lies

the essential question:

“What facial proportions suit me?”

Because proportions and changes differ from person to person,

a decision about whether to undergo surgery and which method to choose

should be made carefully through consultation with a specialist.

I hope this article helps you understand

the proportions of the facial center.

I hope you become more naturally youthful tomorrow

than you are today, and today more than yesterday.

This was Dr. Lee Seong-joon

of Seoul Liting Plastic Surgery.

This article is

content intended to provide general information

about upper lip reduction surgery reviews.

Whether to actually undergo surgery should be determined

according to the individual’s health condition and purpose,

and should be judged through consultation

with a medical professional.

If you would like more details,

please check the YouTube link below

for more detailed information.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-7vA8ui9ssA