Is There an Operation to Reduce a Protruding Philtrum?

asked 1 year ago by NoSubject in Copperas Cove, TX
Latest answer by Rian Maercks, MD
Question viewed 1,674 times
Tags: female, philtrum, protruding

My philtrum is over-defined with each of the two parts creating solid tubular lines from the top of my lips to the skin underneath my nostrils. The way it connects to my nose makes it appear as though it protrudes from the rest of my face. Is there any operation that could make my philtrum look normal? (Picture included. Please help!!)

6 answers to Is There an Operation to Reduce a Protruding Philtrum?

Lip balancing

Very commonly patients identify a problem on their face that bothers them when it is really something else catching their eye. Without seeing the rest of your face it is hard to ascertain, but it appears to me that it is mostly flatness or deflation of your nasal base and upper midface/cheeks that draws attention to your philtral columns. I believe that a great aesthetic enhancement would be to blend and balance your face by using fat or an HA filler such as Juvederm to fill your... more

Rian Maercks, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Protruding philtrum

There is no operation to reduce a protruding philtrum or make it smaller. It will probably become less noticeable over time with the aging process.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinplasty for Protruding Upper Lip area

Hi NoSubject in Killeen, Plastic surgery on the nose may or may not affect the upper lip. A protruding upper lip may be due to underlying excess bone or cartilage. Reducing this excess hard tissue may allow the upper lip to settle back a bit. However, the natural folds of the upper lip, the philtral columns, are never reduced. In fact, often times plastic surgeons will plump the phitral columns during lip enhancement with hyaluronic acid (Restylane or Juvederm) or fat... more

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

Reduce a Protruding Philtrum

Thanks for posting a photo showing us your concerns. I agree with the previous expert posters, Drs Aldea and Wallach. In over 30 years of practicing plastic surgery I have NEVER seen a request to reduce the PHILTRUM folds! And I agree leave them alone they look wonderful. But if you are hell bent on doing something, try a small, tiny amount of BOTOX to are to help flatten the muscle roll.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Operation to Reduce a Protruding Philtrum?

Regarding: "My philtrum is over-defined with each of the two parts creating solid tubular lines from the top of my lips to the skin underneath my nostrils. The way it connects to my nose makes it appear as though it protrudes from the rest of my face. Is there any operation that could make my philtrum look normal? (Picture included. Please help!!)" The vast majority of people have poorly defined philtrums. As a result, there are several ways to accentuate the philtrum but... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Protruding philtral columns

I do not know of any operation or procedure that can make the philtral columns look less defined without destroying the natural appearance.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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