Gangnam Philtrum Reduction Surgery, Essential Information and Checklist Before Surgery
Author: Won Lee, MD (Board-certified Plastic Surgeon: CEO, 21plastic surgery)
This content was created in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Practice Act.
If You're Considering Philtrum Reduction Surgery in Gangnam — What to Check Before Choosing a Hospital
"Can you recommend a good place for philtrum reduction surgery in Gangnam-gu?" This is a completely understandable concern. However, there's actually something you need to check before looking at hospital names.
When selecting a plastic surgery clinic for philtrum reduction in Gangnam-gu, rather than searching for 'a few recommendations' first, it's far more important to check surgical method, surgeon's experience, and scar management system. Depending on whether philtrum reduction uses internal (incision under nose) or external (mouth corner correction) technique, the recovery process and results differ, and how the medical staff designs facial proportions directly impacts the final outcome.
According to related clinical data, even with the same name 'philtrum reduction surgery,' the actual techniques applied can vary significantly from hospital to hospital. The reason you need to specifically confirm incision method, amount of excision, and suturing technique during consultation is precisely this.
What is Philtrum Reduction Surgery — Surgical Principle, Types, and Proportion Standards
Philtrum reduction surgery is an incisional procedure that reduces the distance between the nose and upper lip to improve mid-facial proportion. It may seem like simply reducing length, but actually the nose shape, upper lip volume, and tooth exposure all change in conjunction with each other — it's a precise surgery.
According to Medical News data, philtrum reduction surgery broadly divides into internal (incision under nose) and external (mouth corner correction) methods.
| Category | Internal Philtrum Reduction (Incision Under Nose) | External Philtrum Reduction (Mouth Corner Correction) |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable Cases | When the entire philtrum is long | When mouth corners sag and the external portion is long |
| Main Effects | Mid-facial shortening, increased upper tooth exposure | External philtrum correction, mouth corner lifting |
| Incision Location | Columella (under nose) borderline | Upper mouth corner |
| Scar Location | Under nose borderline (utilizing natural wrinkles) | Upper mouth corner |
Related clinical data often mentions an ideal proportion of philtrum:chin length = 1:2. However, this is merely a reference standard, and the amount of excision is typically planned within a 3-6mm range, though it's clinically well-known that simply removing more doesn't guarantee better results.
Individualized customized design considering overall face size, lip shape, and tooth arrangement is necessary, and the choice of incision method should be made after sufficient consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. It's also good to know in advance that non-incisional procedures like fillers may help improve lip volume, but have limitations in fundamentally shortening philtrum length.
21plastic surgery's Philtrum Reduction Approach — We First Look at Overall Facial Harmony
21plastic surgery examines the overall balance of philtrum, nose, and lips from a total plastic surgery perspective.
When philtrum length is shortened, the nose tip angle, nostril width, upper lip volume, and tooth exposure degree all change sequentially. Rather than 'how many mm to excise,' the quality of the design consultation that plans how the nose–philtrum–lip–jawline will create an overall impression after surgery determines a natural result.
Below are the main items 21plastic surgery reviews together during philtrum reduction consultations.
— Overall facial proportion analysis: We design the philtrum reduction range from a total balance perspective including nose, eyes, contour, and lifting.
— Surgical method selection consultation: Decide together with a specialist which of internal or external methods is more suitable for your facial structure.
— Accessibility: Located between Shin-nonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station for convenient access from anywhere in Gangnam-gu.
— Global patient care environment: We maintain a clinical environment where not only domestic patients but also foreign patients from Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, and North America visit.
Suitability for the procedure is determined after consultation. Surgical results can vary depending on individual facial structure, skin condition, and recovery process, and specific plans should be established through direct consultation with the attending specialist.
This Surgery May Be Right for You — Self-Assessment and Precautions Before Surgery
Check the items below. If you have concerns that apply, you can consider philtrum reduction surgery consultation.
✔ Self-Assessment for Surgical Suitability
— Those with congenitally long philtrum who appear to have a long face or look older than their actual age
— Those whose upper teeth don't show well even with a bright smile and feel self-conscious about a somewhat dull impression
— Those whose philtrum skin has sagged and lengthened due to aging
— Those desiring overall mid-facial proportion improvement along with nose surgery or facial contouring
— Those who were searching for Shin-nonhyeon philtrum reduction surgery, Seocho-gu philtrum reduction plastic surgery, or Yeoksam-dong philtrum reduction can also visit considering accessibility within Gangnam-gu.
⚠ Important Precautions to Confirm Before Surgery
According to related clinical data, possible side effects after philtrum reduction surgery include scarring, speech abnormalities, and asymmetry, and it's important to be sufficiently aware and make your decision. Particularly if you have keloid-prone skin or work in fields requiring frequent speaking such as broadcasting, lecturing, or singing, you should give extra careful consideration to surgery timing and recovery planning.
Please refer to the following for the post-operative recovery timeline.
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Suture Removal | 5-7 days after surgery |
| Swelling and Bruising Resolution | 2-4 weeks |
| Final Result Confirmation | 3-6 months |
The key to post-operative management is taking prescribed medication, cold compress application, consistent scar ointment use, and UV protection. Your management habits directly impact the final scar condition.
Please Consult Comfortably. We'll Examine Everything Together.
Please consult comfortably at 21plastic surgery. We'll examine your philtrum and overall facial proportions together.
Since philtrum reduction surgery deals with the center of the face, the impact on overall impression is significant. Rather than 'how many mm to reduce,' the quality of design consultation that finds together what philtrum length looks most natural within your overall facial proportions determines the result.
21plastic surgery, located between Shin-nonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station in Gangnam-gu, reviews harmony with the entire nose, eyes, and contours through total plastic surgery consultation including philtrum reduction. With a global patient care environment where many foreign patients from Japan, China, and North America visit, you can experience a systematic process from consultation through surgical planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does scarring remain significantly after philtrum reduction surgery?
The incision line is designed along the natural under-nose borderline, so it may appear reddish initially, but through consistent scar ointment use and UV protection, it typically fades gradually over time. The degree of scar exposure can vary depending on suturing method and individual constitution, so it's good to specifically confirm the suturing technique during consultation.
Q2. How long is the recovery period after surgery?
Sutures are removed 7 days after surgery, and swelling and bruising may persist for about 2 weeks. The final result can be fully confirmed after 3-6 months. Individual recovery speed can vary, so carefully following your attending specialist's recovery guidelines is important.
Q3. How much philtrum reduction looks natural?
There's no fixed 'correct number,' and the amount of excision is typically designed within a 3-6mm range tailored to individual facial structure. What matters is not viewing the philtrum alone but finding the most harmonious length within the overall balance with the nose, lip, and jawline. Excessive excision can result in an unnatural appearance, requiring careful design.
Suitability for the procedure is determined after consultation