Philtrum: 18mm → 13.5mm (4.5mm removed)

The patient, a woman in her 40s, underwent internal philtrum reduction, alar base reduction, external philtrum reduction, and lip corner surgery at another hospital a year ago. She visited us from Gyeonggi Province, seeking improvement for excessive length and stitch scars, particularly the fishbone-like scarring from the previous surgery.

For the internal philtrum reduction revision, we redesigned the incision to encapsulate the existing alar base reduction scars, ensuring the removal of all visible fishbone scars. Additionally, the external philtrum, which had a steep lip slope, was carefully redesigned to create a more balanced shape that harmonizes with the thickness of the lower lip. The patient had a relatively long mid-face, but with the Trinity (three-in-one philtrum reduction) surgery, we successfully shortened the mid-face, resulting in a younger and more youthful appearance.

At IKNOWU Plastic Surgery, we use ultra-fine sutures, commonly used in microsurgery at university hospitals, for external philtrum reduction and lip corner surgery. These sutures are also removed as early as post-op day 5, effectively minimizing stitch scars. For internal philtrum reduction, we utilize our patented IKNOWU Transparent Philtrum Reduction technique, which ensures an exceptionally clean incision line from the very beginning.

After surgery, the patient’s overall facial proportions became more balanced, achieving a natural and harmonious result.

Philtrum: 20mm → 14mm (6mm removed)

This is a woman in her 60s who visited us due to unsatisfactory results from a philtrum reduction surgery performed at another clinic a year ago, particularly regarding the scar and remaining length.

We performed a 6mm skin excision that included as much of the previous suture scar as possible. Using the same incision line, we also carried out a medial philtrum reduction and simultaneously corrected the drooping columella. The columella, which previously sat lower than the nostril base, is now positioned in alignment with the nostrils.

Additionally, she wanted improvement in her wide alar base, so we performed alar base reduction using I.KNOW.U’s exclusive medial incision technique. Due to asymmetry, we excised 2.5mm on the left and 3.5mm on the right, achieving the most symmetrical result possible.

Since her upper lip was quite thin, we also performed an external philtrum reduction along with corner lip lift surgery, enhancing her lip contour with long-lasting volume without fillers.

Philtrum: 21mm → 14.5mm (6.5mm removed)

A woman in her 40s visited us from Incheon, seeking improvement for her downturned lip corners and inward-rolled lips. 

She specifically chose IKNOWU’s transparent scar-free philtrum reduction surgery for a cleaner, seamless result. Since her lower face was short, making her midface appear longer, we also enhanced her chin with filler to create a more balanced facial ratio. To improve her thin and inward-rolled lips, we lifted them as much as possible through philtrum reduction. Additionally, for her drooping lip corners, we excised 5mm of skin, widening the lip horizontally and maximizing the lifting effect.

As a result, her expression now appears naturally pleasant and subtly smiling, even when at rest.

Philtrum: 16mm → 13mm (3mm removed)

A woman in her 40s sought improvement for her elongated-looking philtrum and midface, which became more noticeable after her nose surgery.

She had a higher cupid’s bow angle on the right side compared to the left, so during the internal philtrum reduction, we adjusted the height to create better symmetry. Additionally, to enhance the sharp outer lip shape and improve volume, we performed external philtrum reduction and a lip corner lift, resulting in fuller, softly contoured lips.

Even in unretouched photos, the post-surgery scar is barely visible, showing a clean and natural result.

Philtrum: 19mm → 14mm (5mm removed)

This patient, a woman in her 30s, visited us seeking improvement for the long appearance of her face caused by a naturally long mid-face and philtrum. Due to her facial proportions, the mid-face was relatively long, and performing only internal philtrum reduction could have resulted in a ‘ㅅ’-shaped upper lip. Therefore, we proceeded with the Trinity procedure, which includes internal philtrum reduction, external philtrum reduction, and lip corner lift.

For the internal philtrum reduction, we excised 5mm of skin from the original 19mm length. In addition, 3.5mm of skin was removed for the external philtrum reduction, and we used ultra-fine microsurgical sutures to ensure minimal scarring during closure.

Post-surgery, the incision lines on the internal and external philtrum, as well as the lip corners, settled into clean, fine lines that are barely visible even under direct camera flash, resulting in a refined and natural outcome.