How to Adjust Long-Face Proportions: Philtrum Reduction Surgery

Hello, this is Director Jo Hyun-woo of 3D Plastic Surgery.

Through several columns, I have talked about long-face contouring surgery.

So these days, among the people who come in for consultations, there seem to be many who feel that their faces look long.

For those whose midface appears long, double-jaw surgery is the method that can deliver the greatest effect.

However, as I talk with patients, many feel 부담 about double-jaw surgery, so

a surgical alternative that can be chosen is surgery to reduce the length of the lower jaw.

Reducing the lower jaw does not reduce the midface.

In fact, among people with a long midface, many have a long nose length as well.

A way to reduce the length of the nose cannot actually make the nose physically shorter, but

when the tip of the nose looks drooped, lifting the tip upward can make it appear shorter, and lowering the starting point of the nasal bridge can create the effect of making the nose look shorter.

Along with this surgery, the procedure that can make the midface appear shorter is philtrum reduction surgery.

Philtrum reduction surgery is broadly divided into two surgical methods.

There are "medial philtrum reduction" and "lateral philtrum reduction."

Medial philtrum reduction is surgery that shortens the central length, while lateral philtrum reduction is an effective method for people whose outer mouth corners have drooped.

Depending on the degree, a non-incisional philtrum reduction is also possible, but in most cases, medial philtrum reduction is performed when the inner philtrum is greatly elongated, and lateral philtrum reduction is performed when the outer philtrum is wide.

First, medial philtrum reduction is performed by making an incision in the area below the nose, and the surgery takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Before-and-after case of square jaw surgery, chin surgery, and philtrum reduction surgery (medial)

This is a before-and-after case of a patient who actually underwent medial philtrum reduction surgery.

Before surgery, the lower face was long and the face overall appeared long, but after jaw surgery and medial philtrum reduction surgery, the facial balance improved, the philtrum was shortened, and volume was created in the upper lip, resulting in a lip correction effect.

Lateral philtrum reduction is usually performed together with mouth-corner surgery.

When the outer philtrum is elongated, the upper lip is usually curled inward and shows less.

In such cases, by extending the incision line of the mouth-corner surgery, the lateral philtrum can be reduced and the lips can be made more visible.

Before-and-after case of square jaw surgery, chin surgery, and philtrum reduction surgery (lateral)

This photo is a before-and-after case of a real patient who underwent lateral philtrum reduction surgery along with contouring surgery.

If you look at the before and after, you can see that the distance between the nostrils and the mouth corners has decreased, the philtrum length has shortened, and the lip line has become more attractive.

Philtrum reduction surgery is not simply about reducing the length of the philtrum; if the chin is long, surgery to reduce the chin, and if the nose is long, surgery to correct the nose tip, are all possible. The best approach is to improve the overall balance of the face.

To expect satisfying philtrum reduction results, it must be performed through an accurate diagnosis that takes into account the philtrum length, skin characteristics, and the condition of each angle. Therefore, after sufficient consultation with a specialist, it is most important to choose the philtrum reduction surgery that is right for you.

So far, we have looked at philtrum reduction surgery.

Philtrum reduction surgery is a good way to reduce the length of the midface without undergoing double-jaw surgery, but it has a downside.

That is, scarring. The scar may be more noticeable than expected, so if you are sensitive to scars, it may be good to think about it a little more.

Thank you.