3rd Generation Philtrum Reduction: Is it okay to choose based on the name alone?

Hello.

I am Song Sang-hoon, the head director of Goldendiamant Plastic Surgery in Gangnam.

When researching philtrum reduction surgery, you encounter various terms.

‘3rd generation philtrum reduction’ ‘Scarless philtrum reduction’ ‘Scar-free philtrum reduction’ ‘Hidden incision philtrum reduction’ ‘Sutureless philtrum reduction’

Seeing these names, it's natural to feel that newer and more advanced surgical methods are unconditionally better.

Of course, recent philtrum reduction techniques are continuously evolving to reduce the burden of scars and make incision lines less noticeable.

For those concerned about scars, these methods can certainly be advantageous.

However, philtrum reduction surgery is not a procedure that can be judged simply by ‘whether scars are visible or less visible’.

This is because reducing the philtrum can also change the shape of the upper lip, tooth exposure, corner of the mouth direction, subnasal line, nasolabial angle, and even chin tension.

So today, rather than disparaging 3rd generation philtrum reduction,

I will explain its advantages and what aspects should be considered together.

Reasons for considering philtrum reduction

The philtrum is the area extending from below the nose to the upper lip.

If this area appears long, the mid-lower face can look elongated,

giving an overall mature or aged impression.

Especially as one ages, if the upper lip thins and rolls inward, the philtrum can appear even longer.

Some people have a naturally long philtrum, while others feel their philtrum appears long due to soft tissue changes after orthodontic treatment, orthognathic surgery, or facial contouring surgery.

Philtrum reduction surgery is a procedure that reduces a long philtrum to adjust the vertical proportion of the face,

and helps the upper lip line appear a bit more defined.

However, the important thing is not simply ‘how many millimeters are reduced’.

It's crucial to consider whether the reduction harmonizes with the entire face, if the upper lip isn't excessively lifted,

and if the corners of the mouth don't appear more downturned.

Advantages of 3rd generation philtrum reduction

The biggest advantage of the recently discussed 3rd generation philtrum reduction is its approach to reducing the burden of scar exposure.

The traditional subnasal incision method involves an incision along the border where the nose and philtrum meet,

so many people worry about scars after surgery.

Therefore, 3rd generation methods are introduced with incisions placed in locations that are easier to hide,

or designed to make scars less visible externally by utilizing structures inside the nose or around the columella.

These methods can certainly be an attractive option for those most concerned about scars.

Furthermore, the diversification of surgical methods means that the range of choices has expanded based on the patient's skin thickness, subnasal shape, philtrum length, and scarring tendency.

This can be viewed positively.

However, philtrum reduction is not a surgery that only considers scars.

Just because it's called ‘3rd generation’ doesn't mean it's unilaterally more suitable for every face.

This is because philtrum reduction surgery requires considering not only the incision line's position but also how stably the philtrum length is reduced,

and whether the lip and subnasal lines change naturally.

For example, even with a method that makes scars less visible,

satisfaction may decrease if the upper lip is excessively lifted or the corners of the mouth appear relatively downturned.

Conversely, even with a method where the incision line is relatively clear,

there are cases where it is more suitable if the philtrum length, lip changes, and subnasal line can be directly controlled.

Ultimately, what's important is not the name of the surgical method, but whether it's suitable for your face.

Summary of Part 1

When considering philtrum reduction surgery, there's something to look at before ‘whether it's 3rd generation or not’.

• What is the real reason my philtrum appears long?

• Is my upper lip thin and rolled inward?

• Is there a possibility of changes in tooth exposure or the corners of the mouth after surgery?

• Can the subnasal line and lip changes be as natural as the scar?

These aspects must be checked together.

3rd generation philtrum reduction has advantages in reducing the burden of scars.

However, philtrum reduction is a surgery that is difficult to judge by scars alone.

In the next article, I will explain in more detail the principles and advantages of the original subnasal philtrum reduction, which Goldendiamant considers important.

Next episode preview

The next part will cover these topics:

‘Is original subnasal philtrum reduction simply an old method?’

‘Why are there still faces that require the subnasal incision method?’

‘How should tension management, lip C-curl, and the subnasal line, which are more important than scars, be viewed?’

I will continue the explanation in Part 2.

Thank you.

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