This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including medical laws.
When Considering Philtrum Reduction and Philtrum Dimple Together in Gangnam, What You Need to Know First
When searching for philtrum-related surgeries, 'philtrum reduction' and 'philtrum dimple' are often used interchangeably. However, the two surgeries have different purposes and approaches. The starting point for choosing a hospital is first to distinguish whether your concern is a length problem ('the philtrum is too long') or a curvature problem ('the philtrum is too flat and lacks definition').
Philtrum reduction surgery is a procedure that improves mid-facial proportions by incising and shortening the skin below the nose. According to Kormedi data, the principle is to reduce mid-facial length by pulling and fixing the upper lip through a sub-nasal incision. In contrast, philtrum dimple surgery is a separate approach that creates C-curve definition in a flat philtrum area to provide dimension to the line between the nose and lips. Clinical data clearly distinguishes the indications and purposes of the two surgeries.
If you have both concerns simultaneously, combined surgery can be considered; however, because the indications and recovery periods for each technique differ, an in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon specialist should be conducted first. Organizing which takes priority—'length' or 'definition'—before consultation will make the consultation proceed much more specifically.
Philtrum Reduction and Philtrum Dimple: From Surgical Principles to Suitable Cases
The two surgeries have different approaches and target patients. Data from Hidoc emphasizes that the ideal philtrum ratio varies according to individual facial structure, and it is important to determine the surgical direction by considering harmony with overall facial proportions. The following table summarizes the key differences between the two surgeries.
| Classification | Philtrum Reduction | Philtrum Dimple |
|---|---|---|
| Main Purpose | Philtrum length shortening (mid-facial proportion improvement) | Philtrum curvature formation (C-curve definition) |
| Incision Location | Below nose (external incision) | Inside mouth (intraoral incision) |
| External Scarring | Sub-nasal incision line (naturalizes over time) | No external scarring |
| Suitable Cases | Cases where philtrum is noticeably long | Cases where philtrum is flat and lacks definition |
| Average Shortening Effect | Approximately 4–5 mm | No length reduction effect |
| Difference from Fillers | Fundamental length correction possible | More sustained and structural improvement than fillers |
According to Korea Daily reporting, philtrum reduction can achieve approximately 4–5 mm of shortening effect by incising the skin below the nose and pulling and fixing the upper lip. Philtrum dimple surgery uses intraoral incision approach to create a C-curve line without external scarring. Clinical data describes philtrum dimple surgery as evolving beyond simple length reduction toward enhancing volume, highlighting the philtrum bone line, and emphasizing definition.
Filler and other non-surgical treatments are effective for improving lip volume, but clinical data consistently mentions that they have structural limitations in fundamentally shortening philtrum length. If the philtrum is significantly long, sub-nasal incision-type reduction is a priority consideration; if improving thickness and flat appearance is the main goal, philtrum dimple surgery becomes the first option to review.
21plastic surgery's Philtrum-Related Consultation Approach
The most important thing in philtrum surgery is to first analyze the harmony of the entire mid-facial proportions leading from the nose, lips, and chin tip, and then determine the surgical scope. Simply because the philtrum alone becomes shorter does not necessarily mean the face will appear more balanced; the interrelationship between nose height, lip thickness, and chin tip length affects the result.
21plastic surgery, located between Sinnonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station, designs the scope and direction of philtrum surgery through personalized consultation that centers on individual facial harmony. Including philtrum reduction, it operates a customized consultation system that comprehensively reviews nose reshaping, lip line, and balance with overall contours, and reflects clinical experience from treating foreign patients from diverse countries including Japan, China, Southeast Asia, and North America in the consultation.
The consultation flow proceeds as follows:
• Measurement of overall mid-facial proportion and assessment of philtrum length, thickness, and curvature
• Review of philtrum-only surgery vs. nose and lip-related surgery
• Guidance on surgical method (sub-nasal incision type / intraoral approach) and recovery period
• For foreign patients, discussion including return schedule and follow-up observation plan
The practical advantage of the total plastic surgery perspective approach is that consultation linking not only philtrum concerns but also nose, eyes, and contour can be conducted in one place.
Before Philtrum Reduction and Dimple Surgery, Please Check These Points
Suitability for surgery is judged by objective criteria such as current philtrum length, skin thickness, and minimum maintained length after suturing. In some cases, treatment may be more suitable than surgery. Checking the following items before consultation will narrow the direction of treatment quickly.
• When philtrum length is less than 1.2 cm — Clinical data indicates that when shortening the philtrum, at least approximately 1.2 cm or more must remain for the lips to close naturally. If it is already on the shorter side, volume adjustment treatment may be prioritized over surgery.
• Confirm skin type and scar tissue constitution — According to Kormedi data, East Asians have skin characteristics that scar more easily compared to Caucasians, so the incision method and suturing design in sub-nasal incision-type philtrum reduction directly affect the result.
• Confirm nostril deformation prevention technique — It is important to check during consultation whether periosteal and fascia fixation methods are applied to prevent phenomena such as nostril enlargement or deformation after philtrum reduction. Hidoc also guides that it is advisable to determine methods to minimize scarring and aftereffects through consultation with a plastic surgeon specialist experienced in lip shaping.
• Whether to have single surgery vs. combined surgery — If you want to improve both philtrum length and definition, possible combined surgery and recovery period must be discussed sufficiently in advance.
Even when considering consultation for philtrum reduction in Apgujeong, philtrum dimple in Cheongdam, philtrum reduction near Sinsa Station, and other Gangnam-area locations, philtrum shape and skin characteristics are difficult to judge from photos alone. It is recommended to receive direct in-person evaluation from a Gangnam plastic surgeon specialist before deciding whether to have surgery.
Philtrum Proportion Concerns, How Should You Start?
If you haven't yet decided whether philtrum reduction or philtrum dimple is right for you, consider visiting 21plastic surgery located between Sinnonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station in Gangnam for consultation that examines your overall facial proportions together. Consultation is conducted not by looking at philtrum length alone, but by comprehensively analyzing the structural relationship with the nose, lips, and chin tip.
The ideal proportion of philtrum, nose, and lips is determined differently according to individual facial structure. Confirming average numerical values through search and having a specialist directly evaluate your actual facial structure are different starting points. Surgical decision, scope, and method should be determined after structural evaluation is conducted first, which is a safer approach.
Whether your philtrum is currently long and uncomfortable, or whether a flat feeling is your main concern — find the answer to that question together during your consultation.
Philtrum Reduction and Philtrum Dimple, These Are Common Questions
Q1. Can you have philtrum reduction and philtrum dimple done at the same time?
The two surgeries can be performed together because incision locations differ. However, since the surgical scope increases, recovery period and order should be discussed sufficiently with the specialist before deciding. If you have both concerns, mentioning them together during consultation will allow integrated planning to be reviewed.
Q2. Does philtrum dimple surgery leave external scarring?
Philtrum dimple surgery approaches through intraoral incision, so no incision marks remain on the skin surface. Creating C-curve definition without external scarring concerns is a characteristic of this technique; however, post-operative swelling and recovery management are equally necessary.
Q3. Will the nostril shape change after philtrum reduction?
Shortening sub-nasal skin may temporarily affect surrounding tissue. To minimize this, periosteal and fascia fixation methods are commonly applied. During consultation, it is recommended to directly confirm how nostril deformation prevention technique is planned.
Q4. How much can philtrum length be reduced? Is there a minimum length that must remain?
Average shortening effect of approximately 4–5 mm can be expected. Clinically, it is known that approximately 1.2 cm or more of philtrum must remain after suturing for the lips to close naturally, so the possible shortening range varies depending on current philtrum length.
Q5. Can fillers or treatments also reduce the philtrum?
Fillers may help somewhat with lip volume or philtrum curvature; however, they have limitations in the effect of structurally shortening philtrum length itself. If you want fundamental length correction, surgical approach is necessary, and whether treatment effect is sufficient should be judged through consultation.
Q6. How is scar management done after philtrum reduction surgery?
Scar management after philtrum reduction surgery is of utmost importance. Since the degree of scar prominence varies from person to person, you need to manage it well. Checking whether the clinic has management options such as PRP, stem cell, and hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment before surgery can be helpful for scar management.
⚠️ Possibility of treatment side effects may vary depending on individual skin condition.