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

The patient sought to improve a low nose bridge and a bulbous nose tip that appeared wide from the front. Along with nose surgery, they also wished to address the long philtrum, which had been a concern for a long time.

Especially in profile, the low and small nose bridge made the lips appear more protrusive. In cases where the philtrum is long and the lips are relatively thin, lip fillers often don't have the desired effect, as the lips don't fully show or the filler may end up inside the mouth, making it ineffective. In such cases, internal philtrum shortening surgery can provide significant results.

To address these concerns, a 4mm silicone implant was inserted to naturally raise the nose bridge. The nose tip was refined to create a smoother and more sophisticated appearance. The long 23mm philtrum was reduced by 6.5mm to 14.5mm, creating a more balanced facial proportion.

Through this combination of procedures, the patient was able to correct the protruding lips and aging appearance caused by the long philtrum, resulting in a more youthful and vibrant image. The patient left with a more natural, youthful, and refreshed look.

Philtrum: 17.5mm → 14mm (3.5mm removed)

The patient visited our clinic due to scarring issues after undergoing internal philtrum shortening surgery at another hospital. The most noticeable concerns were prominent stitch marks along the incision line, which appeared as large, stretched-out pores.

When scars extend both horizontally and vertically, it is impossible to remove them entirely. Removing too much tissue could lead to a trapdoor deformity, making the scar even more pronounced. Therefore, we carefully excised as much of the scar tissue as possible within a safe range and released the existing scar adhesions.

At IKNOWU Plastic Surgery, we perform this procedure using a suture-free technique, which allowed the patient to achieve a cleaner and more refined result without noticeable stitch marks along the previous scar line.

Philtrum: 19mm → 14mm (5mm removed)

The patient underwent internal philtrum reduction at another hospital three years ago and visited us for scar revision. One of the most common complications after surgery is stitch scars, and in this case, the fishbone-like scarring was particularly noticeable. Additionally, the previous philtrum reduction had caused asymmetry in the alar base, altering the shape of the nostrils.

To achieve a more symmetrical outcome, we adjusted the resection length on each side to balance the height of the alar base. We also released the existing scar adhesions, allowing the skin to heal more smoothly and naturally.

In philtrum revision surgery, it is crucial to excise the previous scars comprehensively yet within a safe range, while also effectively releasing adhesions. Using our patented IKNOWU Transparent Philtrum Reduction technique, we were able to create a clean incision line without stitch scars.

After surgery, the nostrils became more symmetrical, and the previously prominent fishbone-like scars surrounding the nostrils were completely corrected.

Philtrum: 20.5mm → 14mm (6.5mm removed)

The patient had medial philtrum reduction at another clinic 9 years ago, but was still left with a long philtrum and noticeable scar, so she came all the way from the U.S. for improvement. It's crucial to follow the base of the nose contour when performing the medial philtrum reduction to hide the scar in the natural shadows. Unfortunately, the previous incision didn't follow her natural line and was left straight, creating an obvious scar.

The patient had a long midface and wanted a shorter, natural-looking philtrum. We removed as much tissue as safely possible to shorten the midface and create a more balanced look. The old straight scar was redesigned to blend with her natural line, hiding it in the shadows. The fishbone-like scar was fully removed, and we used the I.KNOW.U Clear Philtrum Reduction technique for a precise, clean incision.

The result was a shorter, natural philtrum, giving her a more youthful appearance.

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 → 14.5mm (5.5mm removed)

This patient, who had undergone two previous rhinoplasty procedures but was dissatisfied with the results, visited our clinic for further correction. They wanted to focus on correcting the nose tip's projection and correcting the asymmetry of the nostrils, which was quite severe.

The existing Gore-Tex implant was removed and replaced with the latest silicone implant. To smooth out the previously bumpy nose line, a dorsal hump correction was also performed.

Additionally, the patient sought to improve their aging appearance with internal philtrum shortening surgery and a facelift. The philtrum length was shortened by 5.5mm from 20mm to 14.5mm, resulting in a younger look. To address deep nasolabial folds, a 4.5mm thick implant was used, achieving a natural yet effective volume enhancement.

Philtrum: 19.5mm → 14mm (5.5mm removed)

This patient visited our clinic due to concerns that her philtrum appeared long in every photo, which affected the overall harmony of her facial proportions. Preoperatively, her philtrum measured approximately 19.5mm, and the columella was noticeably elongated downward, causing a visually unbalanced ratio between the nose and upper lip. A long columella can create the illusion of a droopy nasal tip and an even longer philtrum, often resulting in a dull and aged impression of the mid-face.

To address this, we performed an internal lip lift (philtrum reduction) by excising about 5.5mm of skin, reducing the philtrum to 14mm. In addition, columella correction was performed simultaneously to improve the elongated and sagging nasal base structure. Rather than simply shortening the philtrum, the procedure was meticulously designed to ensure a smooth and refined transition from the nasal tip to the upper lip, enhancing the overall aesthetic line.

Postoperatively, the shorter philtrum brought balance to the mid-face, and correction of the columella refined the previously dull nasal base silhouette, resulting in a more defined and polished appearance.

Philtrum: 22mm → 15.5mm (6.5mm removed)

This patient visited us with concerns about having a long philtrum that required overlined lips when applying makeup, and a long mid-face ratio that made her appear older than her actual age.

Before the surgery, her philtrum measured approximately 22mm, which is considered relatively long. We carefully designed the procedure to remove about 6.5mm of skin, resulting in a postoperative length of 15.5mm. The surgery was planned to visually shorten the mid-face, while ensuring a balanced proportion between the lips and philtrum, from the tip of the nose to the top of the lips.

After surgery, the shortened philtrum created a more compact mid-face ratio, leading to a softer and younger-looking appearance.

Notably, the upper lip volume became naturally enhanced even without overlined makeup, and the surgery added both definition and harmony to the overall facial structure, especially for a long mid-face type.

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.