What It Is
Lip reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that decreases the size and thickness of the lips by removing excess tissue from the inner portion of the lips. The goal is to achieve slimmer, more balanced lips that harmonize with the patient’s facial features.
In Korea, lip reduction is performed with meticulous techniques to ensure natural results and minimal scarring. Korean plastic surgeons focus on creating lips that are proportionate to the nose, chin, and overall face shape, while maintaining a natural smile and lip function.
Why It’s Done
Cosmetic Purposes:
- Corrects naturally large or thick lips
- Balances upper and lower lips for improved facial harmony
- Refines lip proportions for patients seeking a slimmer, more subtle appearance
- Improves self-confidence in patients who feel their lips are too prominent
Corrective or Functional Purposes:
- Addresses asymmetry from prior procedures or trauma
- Refines lips altered by congenital conditions or past filler complications
Patient Considerations:
- Popular among patients with naturally fuller lips or previous over-augmentation
- Common in both men and women who want a more proportionate lip size
- Best suited for healthy, non-smoking patients with realistic expectations
Alternatives
- Dermal Fillers (Dissolving Agents): For patients who want to reduce volume caused by prior filler injections
- Laser Treatments: Can subtly tighten tissue but cannot reduce significant lip thickness
- Orthognathic or Perioral Surgery: For patients with disproportionate facial features that affect lip appearance
Preparation
Before lip reduction surgery in Korea, patients typically undergo:
- Consultation: Analysis of lip proportions, smile dynamics, and facial balance
- Medical Screening: General health evaluation and review of prior cosmetic procedures
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Stop smoking, alcohol, and blood-thinning medications before surgery
- Anesthesia Consideration: Most procedures are performed under local anesthesia with sedation; general anesthesia may be used for combined surgeries
How It’s Done
Type: Surgical, outpatient procedure
Duration: 1–2 hours
Procedure Steps:
- The surgeon marks the incision along the inner mucosa of the lip (hidden inside the mouth)
- A strip of tissue is carefully removed to reduce lip volume
- The remaining tissue is sutured together, reshaping the lips into a slimmer contour
- Fine, dissolvable sutures are used to minimize scarring
Hospitalization: Outpatient; patients return home the same day
Recovery
- First Week: Swelling and mild bruising are common; controlled with cold compresses and oral medications
- Diet: Soft or liquid foods recommended in the first few days
- Oral Care: Antiseptic rinses needed to reduce risk of infection
- Downtime: Most patients resume daily activities within 5–7 days
- Final Results: Visible after 1–2 months once swelling fully subsides
Possible Complications
- Swelling and bruising (expected early side effects)
- Infection at incision site (rare with proper care)
- Temporary numbness or stiffness in the lips
- Asymmetry if healing differs between sides
- Scarring, though minimized with intraoral incisions
- Overcorrection or undercorrection, requiring revision in rare cases
Treatment Options in Korea
Diagnosis
Korean clinics use:
- Facial Proportion Analysis to assess ideal lip size relative to nose and chin
- Digital Imaging to preview expected results
- Specialist Consultations with cosmetic surgeons to design a personalized surgical plan
Medical Treatments
- For patients who want a less invasive option: dissolving hyaluronic acid fillers if fullness is due to prior filler injections
- Minor laser or skin-tightening procedures for mild lip refinement
Surgical or Advanced Therapies
- Standard Lip Reduction: Removal of excess tissue from inner lips
- Upper or Lower Lip Reduction Only: For asymmetry or targeted correction
- Combined Lip Reduction: Balancing both lips for proportional results
- Revision Lip Surgery: Correcting overfilled or previously altered lips
Rehabilitation and Support
- Frequent follow-up visits for suture check and scar healing
- Scar management techniques (silicone gel, laser therapy) offered in many clinics
- International patient support: multilingual staff, transport, and recovery care services
