2026-06-01
20 years of lip augmentation: Why lip foreign body removal and lip reduction surgery are necessary for hard, thickened lips.
This article discusses why lip foreign body removal and lip reduction surgery are often needed together for lips that have become hard and thick due to past foreign body injections.


Hello.
I am Song Sang-hoon, the head director of
Goldendiamant Plastic Surgery, located on the 3rd floor of Cheongdam Square.
The lips are a feature that plays a surprisingly significant role in one's overall facial impression.
Although it has become less common recently,
10-30 years ago, many people received injections of non-absorbable fillers or various foreign substances
to enhance lip volume.
The majority of those who underwent these procedures, over time,
consult us due to issues such as lips appearing excessively thick,feeling hard to the touch,intermittent pain,or an uneven lip line,
often presenting with asymmetry.

When performing lip and philtrum surgery,
today, we will discuss
lip foreign body removal and lip reduction,
which can be considered in such cases.
It is very difficult to completely remove foreign substances from the lips.
Foreign substances injected into the lips can spread between surrounding tissues over time
or fuse with existing tissue, making it difficult to separate them. Therefore, there are limitations to completely
removing all foreign substances.
Thus, lip foreign body removal
should not solely aim to ‘remove everything’;

Today, at Goldendiamant Plastic Surgery,
it is important to plan the surgery by considering the current lip thickness and shape,the areas that feel hard to the touch,and lines that appear protruded or bunched up.
Furthermore, conservative excision is necessary to preserve major nerves and blood vessels as much as possible.
Reasons to consider lip reduction together
Lips that have had foreign substances injected
do not always return to a natural shape
simply by removing the foreign material.
If the lip itself has already thickened,
if volume appears concentrated in a specific area,
or if the ratio between the upper and lower lips has become awkward,
considering lip reduction together can lead to a more natural result.

Especially for the lower lip,
foreign substances or tissue can accumulate downwards,
creating an impression of heavy and dull lips.
In this case,
it is not just about reducing volume;
the overall balance and line of the lips must be considered together.
Removal methods may vary depending on the location.
Lip foreign body removal can vary in approach
depending on where the foreign substance is located.
It can be accessed through the inner oral mucosa,
and in some cases,
it may be necessary to utilize the outer lip line
to perform the removal.

Accessing from inside the mouth
has the advantage of reducing the burden of visible scars, but
after surgery, during the recovery process,
a pulling sensation or hardness may persist for a certain period.
Conversely, if access must be made through the outer line,
the possibility of scarring must also be considered,
making the incision location and suturing method even more crucial.
It may not seem difficult, but it is a surgery that requires delicacy.
Because the lips are a small area,
superficially,
the surgical scope may not appear large.
However, the area around the lips
is where structures involved in movement and sensation are concentrated,
so if tissue is removed excessively
or the line is adjusted too much,
the natural mouth shape can be disrupted.

In other words, lip foreign body removal
is not simply a surgery to remove unnecessary material;
it is a delicate surgery where precise judgment is crucial to refine necessary areas and preserve tissues that should remain.
Can the presence of foreign substances itself be a problem?
The presence of foreign substances in the lips
does not always cause immediate problems in all cases.
However, the area with foreign substances
can, over time,
lead to hardness, unevenness, asymmetry,
and recurrent swelling or discomfort.

Furthermore, if the skin or mucous membrane weakens
or problems arise from contact with the outside (such as abrasions or lacerations),
the possibility of infection must also be considered.
Therefore, if foreign substances are already present in the lips
and changes in shape or discomfort are felt,
it is advisable not to dismiss it as merely a cosmetic issue
but to accurately assess the current condition.
Accurate diagnosis is paramount for a natural mouth shape.
Lip foreign body removal and lip reduction
are not procedures performed in the same way for everyone.
The location and extent of the foreign substance,the thickness of the lip tissue,the balance between the upper and lower lips,and the current degree of hardness and bunching
must be comprehensively evaluated.
Especially when removing foreign substances
and simultaneously adjusting lip volume, how to reduce the lips to achieve a natural, refined look is more important than simply how much to reduce.

Today,
we explored why lip foreign body removal and lip reduction should be considered together.
If your lips appear thicker than before,
if a specific area feels hard to the touch,
or if your lower lip seems to be pulled downwards,
please seek an accurate consultation tailored to your current condition.
Thank you.
This has been Goldendiamant Plastic Surgery in Cheongdam.
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