I. Philtrum Shortening Surgery.
1. What Is Philtrum Shortening Surgery?
Philtrum shortening surgery, also known as a subnasal lip lift, is an aesthetic procedure that reduces the distance between the base of the nose (columella) and the Cupid’s bow. This treatment helps create balanced lower facial proportions, where the philtrum ideally accounts for one-third of the lower face height.
Furthermore, this procedure also enhances facial rejuvenation and expressiveness, but it is not widely known.
2. Who is suitable for Philtrum Shortening?
As mentioned, this procedure is especially effective in improving facial expressiveness. A long philtrum can create a tired, serious, aged, or even stern appearance, making it more difficult for patients to convey emotions naturally. A shorter, well-proportioned philtrum helps the face appear more vibrant, and expressive, thereby enhancing communication and social confidence.
Lilly Luta’s Ideal lower facial proportions
Client before and after undergoing facelift and philtrum shortening
This procedure is particularly suitable for patients with the following conditions or needs:
- Philtrum elongation due to aging: With natural aging, the skin, muscles, and soft tissues lose elasticity, leading to sagging. The vermilion (red lip) also becomes thinner, making the philtrum appear longer and less defined. This change becomes more noticeable over time, and the ideal age for surgery is typically around 40–45 years.
- Naturally long or irregularly shaped philtrum due to genetic factors: Patients with a naturally long philtrum or due to genetic factors may benefit even at a younger age. In cases where the philtrum shape is uneven, curved, or overly wide, additional contouring procedures may be combined for optimal results.
- Patients seeking lip enhancement: While philtrum shortening does not replace lip augmentation, it can indirectly enhance lip aesthetics by lifting and defining the Cupid’s bow and upper lip border.
- Enhancing gender aesthetics: This procedure helps achieve the philtrum proportions that harmonize well with the patient’s gender-specific aesthetic and overall facial balance by elevating the upper lip border, increasing tooth show when smiling, and enhancing vermilion projection—resulting in fuller and more youthful-looking lips. It is often considered a more durable and cost-effective alternative to fillers.
3. Pre-Operative Preparation.
Before undergoing philtrum shortening surgery, patients will:
- Consult with a doctor to define aesthetic goals
- Receive a personalized treatment plan
- Be provided with detailed pre-operative instructions
4. The Procedure of Philtrum Shortening Surgery.
This is a quick and minimally invasive procedure, typically completed in under one hour, usually under local anesthesia, ensuring the most comfortable experience during the procedure. Moreover, It can also be combined with other procedures such as a facelift or lip enhancement surgery.
The procedural steps include:
- Surgical planning: The incision is carefully designed based on facial anatomy and desired results.
- Incision creation: The incision is made along the pre-designed line, followed by careful dissection of the upper lip skin to expose the underlying muscle layer.
- Muscle lifting and fixation: The underlying muscle is elevated and secured to prevent scar widening. This is a critical step for achieving optimal, refined results.
- Excess skin removal and closure: Excess tissue is removed, and the incision is closed, lifting the upper lip into a more youthful position.
Incision placement in philtrum shortening surgery
II. Philtrum Deepening Surgery (Philtral Definition)
1. What is Philtrum Deepening Surgery?
Philtrum deepening, also known as philtrum definition surgery, focuses on enhancing the philtrum groove and columns for improved lip aesthetics. This procedure is often combined with philtrum shortening for more refined and natural results.
Client before and after undergoing apple cheek lift and philtrum deepening
There are 2 main approaches:
- Deepening the philtral groove
- Enhancing the philtral columns
*At Viet My Plastic Surgery Hospital, we implement advanced technique which combines both approaches.
1. The Procedure of Philtrum Deepening.
- Incision placement: Small (~1 cm) intraoral incision (inside the upper lip)
- Philtral groove enhancement: The central muscle layer is dissected to increase the depth of the philtral groove.
- Philtral column enhancement: The muscle and tissues are folded and sutured to enhance the philtral columns.
- Incision closure: the incision is closed using absorbable sutures.
Illustration of upper lip anatomy after philtrum deepening surgery
III. Recovery and Post-Operative Care.
This is a fairly simple and minimally invasive procedure which allows patients to return home on the same day and start the recovery phase comfortably at home. Some important recovery timelines include:
- Wounds typically heal within 6–8 weeks.
- Swelling and bruising subside within approximately 1 week.
- Sensation of tightness in the upper lip may persist for about 1 month.
To ensure proper healing and optimal results, patients are required to adhere strictly to all post-operative care guidelines:
- Apply cold compresses during the first 48 hours.
- Take prescribed medication as instructed when experiencing discomfort.
- Minimize doing exercise or strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks.
- Begin scar care routine from the week 2.
- Avoid sun light exposure, wear sunlight protective clothing when going out for 3 month to prevent pigmentation.
- Limit lip movement (no straws, exaggerated expressions) during the first week.
- Sleep with your head elevated during the first week.
* The result achieved also depends on each individual's physiology.
