Philtrum Reduction Scars: Why Aftercare Matters Even After Suture Removal

Nose-base and lateral philtrum reduction: from suture removal timing to scar management

When considering philtrum reduction, there are areas that deserve as much careful attention as the change in length.

These are the placement of the incision line and how the scar progresses after surgery.

The area under the nose and around the upper lip moves repeatedly while talking and smiling.

For this reason, the surgical design alone is not enough; tension on the suture line, skin characteristics, and post-operative care must all be considered together.

When evaluating the ratio between the philtrum and the lips, we also take facial movement into account.

Having an incision that has closed well and having a scar that has finished changing are two different things.

Even after the wound has closed, the skin continues to go through a healing process,

so redness and firmness can change over time.

The shape of a scar is not determined by the incision position alone.

The skin's healing characteristics, the tension acting on the wound, and individual aftercare habits can all influence it.

We consider the incision line, movement, and each person's individual healing characteristics together.

Golden Diamant Plastic Surgery offers

nose-base incision, lip-line approach, lateral lifting, and more

Among these various methods, we decide the surgical approach after analyzing the philtrum length, lip thickness, tooth exposure, nose-base shape, and movement around the mouth together.

For incisions along the nose-base border, the curvature under the nose and the tension at the suture line must be checked,

and for procedures that adjust the lip line or the lateral areas, the lip contour and left-right balance should be examined together.

No single method can be said to be uniformly advantageous for everyone.

Not an actual patient photo, but an image showing the structure of the philtrum and nose base

A simple conceptual diagram explaining the incision positions along the nose-base border and lip line

No, it does not. According to Golden Diamant's official guidance, stitches are generally removed around 4 to 6 days after surgery for philtrum reduction. Of course, there may be slight differences depending on each patient's wound condition and surgical method.

This stage removes the stitches on the skin's surface. The wound can keep changing afterward, so it is hard to judge the final scar from early redness or firmness alone.

The timing of suture removal and how the scar changes vary depending on the surgical technique and individual condition.

During recovery, monitor how the area is progressing, but avoid excessive self-stimulation.

As a rule, scar gels and silicone sheets should be used only after the wound has fully closed. Do not apply or attach them on your own while the wound is open or oozing.

New scars may look redder or browner and more prominent when exposed to sunlight. Once the wound has healed, reducing UV exposure, such as by using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, can help.

However, for ointments, adhesives, taping, and cleansing methods in the early stages of recovery, your surgical team's instructions take priority over general information found online.

At our clinic, we remove the stitches and then apply medical skin adhesive, so we base the start of scar ointment and sunscreen use on when this adhesive has fully come off, which is on average 3 to 7 days later.

We decide when to start using aftercare products only after confirming that the wound has sufficiently healed.

Example of UV protection after recovery.

Mild swelling and tightness can be observed during the early stages of recovery. However, if pain, heat, or redness clearly worsens, or if pus, fever, or wound opening appears, do not treat it as just part of the healing process; contact the clinic where you had surgery right away.

If symptoms gradually get worse, the surgical team needs to examine you.

According to Golden Diamant's official Q&A, we provide procedure-specific aftercare kits and

guide patients on scar-related medications and gels based on their condition.

Even after suture removal, depending on the wound's condition, care such as adhesive or taping may continue.

In addition, if the medical team deems it necessary, we offer scar management programs starting from the second week after surgery, including Fraxel laser,

vascular laser, and other treatments, for a minimum of five sessions.

This is not a fixed process applied to every patient,

so specific treatment decisions and cost conditions should be confirmed during your consultation.

Aftercare process summarized based on Golden Diamant's official Q&A. It varies depending on each patient's condition.

Q. The stitches have been removed, but the scar is red. Is something wrong?

A. Redness can appear in the early stages, but color alone cannot tell you whether healing is normal.

If heat or pain increases, or if oozing or other symptoms accompany it, have it checked by your doctor.

Q. Is it better to start scar gel as early as possible?

A. No.

If the wound has not fully closed, do not use it on your own.

Follow your treating team's guidance on which product to use and when to start.

Q. Which philtrum reduction method leaves the least scarring?

A. You cannot determine scar outcomes by comparing procedure names alone.

Because results depend on the incision range, skin condition, mouth movement, and suture-line tension, an individual evaluation is necessary.

Golden Diamant Plastic Surgery Clinic, 3F, Cheongdam Square A-dong, 420 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

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