What is philtrumplasty?
Philtrumplasty, also referred to as philtrum reduction or subnasal lip lift, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reduce philtrum length—the distance between the cupid's bow and the nasal columella. This procedure helps patients improve facial contours by achieving ideal proportions in the lower third of the face, ensuring the philtrum measures approximately one-third of this lower facial section.
In addition, this procedure is an effective facial rejuvenation treatment that significantly improves facial expressions, though it remains a less common choice among both clients and plastic surgeons.
Who will benefit the most from this procedures ?
As mentioned, this procedure can help improve patients' facial expressions. A long philtrum is often perceived as conveying sadness, exhaustion, age, or even anger, which impacts patients' ability to communicate their inner state. A shorter philtrum of appropriate length brings more vitality to the face and improves both communication and relationship-building capabilities.
The ideal proportions on Lilly Luta's face lower third
Client's face became much more youthful after she undergoing facelift and philtrum reduction
As discussed, Philtrumplasty provides significant benefits to clients who have the following conditions and needs:
- Lengthened philtrum due to the natural aging process: As people age, their facial skin, muscles, and tissues gradually lose elasticity, causing them to become saggy and droop downward. The lips also become thinner, creating a long philtrum and a lack of vitality in appearance. These conditions become more pronounced over time, with the ideal age for corrective surgery typically between 40 and 45 years old.
- Congenital long or deformed philtrum: If patients have a naturally long or deformed philtrum since birth, this procedure can offer significant benefits even to younger clients. Other corrective surgeries can be combined with this procedure to address conditions such as a crooked or excessively wide philtrum.
- Improving lip contours: While philtrum reduction cannot replace specific lip surgeries, this procedure can still provide lip enhancement effects such as creating a more defined cupid's bow and upper lip groove.
- Enhance gender-inclusive beauties: Philtrumplasty helps achieve an appropriate philtrum profile that matches gender-inclusive beauty standards or aligns with the patient's personal aesthetic. This procedure pulls the upper lip upward, increasing teeth and vermillion exposure, creating a more vibrant appearance. It also offers long-term cost savings compared to lip filler injections.
Pre-operative preparation.
Patients will meet with the doctor to receive an examination, consultation, and tailored treatment plan based on their personal preferences.
Procedure details.
This is a short procedure that often last under an hour and performed under local anesthesia. This procedures can also be performed in combine with other facial cosmetic surgeries such as facelift:
- Procedures planning: The surgeons will draw the incisions guidelines based upon patient's anatomy and preferences.
- Make incisions: The doctor make incisions followed the drawn guidelines and separated the skin to expose the upper lip's muscles and tissues.
- Muscle lifting and fixation: The doctor will lift and suture the upper lip muscle to fix it into a higher position. This step is crucial to avoid stretched and unsightly scars. After the tissues and muscles are fixed, the doctor will close the incision, resulting in a younger appearance.
Areas of suture and incision
What is Philtrum deepening surgery?
Philtrum deepening surgery aims to refine the groove of the philtrum columns and is often performed to achieve optimal philtrum enhancement results.
Client's images before and after undergoing Philtrum deepening procedure.
There are two main methods to perform this procedures:
- Philtrum deepening.
- Philtrum columns augmentation.
At Viet My Plastic Surgery Hospital, the surgical team uses an advanced method combining both techniques:
- Make incisions: The surgeon makes an intraoral incision on the upper lip.
- Philtrum deepening: The surgeon separated and dissect some muscle to deepen the philtrum.
- Philtrum column augmentation: The surgeon then rolls and sutures the muscles and tissues to elevate the philtrum columns.
- Incision closure: The surgeon close the incisions using dissolvable sutures.
Cross section illustrator of upper lift muscles before and after the procedure.
Recovery and post operative care.
Because this is not an overly complex or invasive surgery, patients will be discharged from the hospital the same day and begin their recovery at home. The incision will heal within approximately six to eight weeks. Swelling and bruising will completely subside within one week after the procedure. The skin covering the upper lip may feel tight for up to one month.
To ensure the most effective recovery process, patients should follow the doctor's instructions, including:
- Apply cold compresses frequently during the first 48 hours to reduce swelling.
- Pain medication may be taken as prescribed if discomfort occurs.
- Avoid exercise or lifting heavy objects during the first 2 weeks.
- From the second week onward, apply scar treatment creams and follow proper scar care protocols.
- Limit sun exposure and wear protective gear when going outdoors during the first three months to prevent dark scarring from the philtrum reduction surgery.
- During the first week, avoid movements that may apply force to the lip area, such as using straws or making facial expressions.
- Sleep with your head elevated during the first week.
* The final results also depend on individual's physiology
