Is There an Operation to Reduce a Protruding Philtrum?

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 midface- under your eyes, lateral cheeks, nasal base and lips.  I agree that surgically reducing your philtrum would be a decision you will certainly regret.  I hope this helps!

 

All the best,

 

Rian A Maercks M.D.

This is an interesting question and one I have never been asked before as a cleft lip surgeon.  Most of the time I am trying to give my patients more philtral definition.  Any surgery here could easily upset the delicate balance of the movements of the lip

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.