Youthful Facial Care Through Philtrum Reduction Surgery — A Ratio-Based Medical Approach

Hello.

I’m Director Lee Seong-joon of Reting Plastic Surgery, Seoul branch.

As the end of the year approaches, I find myself looking back on the year.

For those who have been so busy running through the year that they barely had time to take care of themselves, this season often brings the thought:

“Now I should spend some time on myself too.”

That feeling naturally leads to concerns about small changes.

Some people change their daily rhythm by traveling, while others plan self-care they have not done in a while.

Especially these days, more and more people are not stopping at simple skin care, but are also taking a closer look at facial impression and proportion.

Then, when they look in the mirror, they may suddenly feel that the distance between the nose and the mouth seems longer than before, or that the face looks longer, and many naturally become interested in philtrum reduction surgery.

So today, I’d like to talk about philtrum reduction surgery, which many people are curious about.

📍 Table of Contents 📍
1. Why the philtrum is important in youthful facial care2. The anatomical background of a lengthening philtrum3. The concept of philtrum reduction surgery4. Two main methods of philtrum reduction surgery5. Understanding incision placement and the recovery process

1. Why the philtrum is important in youthful facial care

The face can be divided into three areas: upper, middle, and lower.

Among these, the area from below the nose to the upper lip is called the philtrum (upper lip area), and as we age, this area tends to gradually become longer.

This change is not caused only by the skin stretching.

The lips are made of soft tissue that is not supported by bone, so over time they may undergo a change that makes them appear to curl inward.

When the lips curl inward, the philtrum can appear relatively longer, and the proportions of the center of the face change, which can alter the overall impression.

Ultimately, what matters in youthful facial care is not only skin elasticity but also harmony in facial proportions.

Even if the skin is firm, if the philtrum becomes longer, the midface may look sagged,

and it may give an impression of reduced three-dimensionality.

For this reason, interest in philtrum reduction surgery has been gradually increasing in recent years.

2. The anatomical background of a lengthening philtrum

There are several combined reasons why the philtrum becomes longer.

First, as we age, the skin’s elastic fibers and fascia loosen, and the muscles around the mouth repeatedly move over time, which can cause the upper lip area to shift downward.

Also, the columella area under the nose is firmly supported by bone, whereas the lips are relatively flexible, so there is a structural difference in how load is concentrated.

As a result, the area extending from the base of the nose to the lips may gradually become longer or flatter.

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

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

Some people are born with a long philtrum. In such cases, even without aging, the philtrum may appear long in terms of facial proportions,

so the approach is made with overall facial balance in mind.

Because the causes vary,

it is also necessary to organize how the surgery should be understood.

3. The concept of philtrum reduction surgery

Philtrum reduction surgery is a surgical approach that adjusts part of the skin between the nose and the upper lip

in order to balance the proportions of the midface.

Rather than describing it as “surgery to shorten the length,”

it is closer to the concept of “surgery to adjust the proportions of the center of the face.”

The key to this surgery is naturalness.

In other words, rather than how short it is made, what matters is finding a harmonious proportion that matches the face’s overall structure.

In addition, since the philtrum and lips are connected areas,

the degree of lip curling and the position of the upper lip must also be considered.

4. Two main methods of philtrum reduction surgery

TYPE 1. Central-focused philtrum reduction surgery A fine incision is made along the lower part of the columella, that is, just below the nostrils,

and then the central philtrum area is lifted upward and sutured.

If necessary,

the upper lip can also be adjusted to rise together,

allowing the three-dimensional shape of the lips to be considered as well.

The incision site is hidden under the nostrils, so it tends to be less visible during everyday conversation.

TYPE 2. Including the outer sides philtrum reduction surgery This method expands the incision range to include the sides of the nostrils along with the central philtrum area.

In this case,

both philtrum length and the harmony of the lines connecting the outer sides of the nostrils can be considered.

The method may vary depending on the degree of sagging skin and differences in proportion, and all decisions are made based on the individual’s facial structure and skin characteristics.

5. Understanding incision placement and the recovery process

The incision area for philtrum reduction surgery is divided into

a central-focused type and an outer-expanded type.

The incision range and suture depth vary depending on the patient’s skin thickness, elasticity, and proportions.

Suture removal is generally performed about one week later,

and in the beginning there may be swelling or tightness, but this is part of the recovery process.

Recovery after surgery varies from person to person.

At first, it is better to reduce excessive movement around the mouth, such as smiling or speaking loudly.

As time passes and the tissue stabilizes, it tends to become more natural.

Scarring varies depending on the skin’s regenerative ability and pigmentation characteristics,

and usually becomes gradually lighter over time.

If you understand the recovery process as well, let’s finish by summarizing how to view philtrum reduction surgery.

6. A final message

The end of the year is also a time to look back on yourself.

If you want to give yourself a small change as a gift for all the hard work this year, that starting point may be “understanding yourself better.”

Youthful facial care and philtrum reduction surgery are one option that can be considered in that process.

However, all surgeries and procedures may differ in their application methods and results according to each person’s facial structure and condition.

It is most important to consult thoroughly with a specialist and make a careful decision after fully understanding it.

May you become more naturally youthful tomorrow than today,

and more naturally youthful today than yesterday.

This was Director Lee Seong-joon of Seoul Reting Plastic Surgery.

This post is content intended to provide general information about philtrum reduction surgery. The actual decision to undergo surgery should be made according to the individual’s health condition and purpose, and should be determined through consultation with a medical professional.

If you would like more details, please check the YouTube link below for further information.

https://youtube.com/shorts/U1HqieTgW8Y?si=8WECEB2NHx77dZ2C