Facial Contouring Surgery

Facial Contouring Surgery

Reviewer Details

Medically reviewed by Dr. Choi deokho, Representative Director & Plastic Surgeon, Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic.

Registered as the clinic's legal representative in the Korean National Tax Service registry, Full Member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons · Last reviewed 2026-08-18 · Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Facial contouring surgery at Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic in Seoul is a set of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures designed to reshape, refine, and balance facial proportions — focusing on the jawline, chin, cheekbones, and forehead — with the specific combination of techniques matched individually to each patient's facial structure and aesthetic goals.

What Is Facial Contouring Surgery?

Facial contouring surgery reshapes the underlying bone, fat, and soft tissue of the face to correct disproportion, soften overly angular features, or restore volume that has been lost with age, aiming for a more balanced and harmonious facial outline rather than a single fixed "ideal" shape.

• Addresses the jawline, chin, cheekbones (zygoma), forehead, and midface as a connected system, not isolated features.

• Covers surgical options — including bone reshaping (contouring or reduction), fat transplantation, and structural implants — as well as non-surgical, energy-based laser facial contouring.

• Commonly requested to soften harsh angular features, correct facial asymmetry, restore lost facial volume, and achieve a more youthful, harmonious outline.

• Consultation and diagnosis typically involve 3D imaging or X-rays, facial structural analysis, and soft-tissue evaluation before a personalized treatment plan is proposed.

• Performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation, depending on the specific procedure and its extent.

• Bone-based results are considered long-lasting to permanent, while fat-based and non-surgical approaches vary in how long their effect is maintained.

Who Performs Facial Contouring at Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic

Dr. Choi Deokho, M.D.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Dr. Choi deokho is the Representative Director and plastic surgeon at Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic, with approximately 25 years associated with the clinic since its establishment in 2001. His stated core specializations include facial plastic surgery, rhinoplasty, facial contouring, and anti-aging and lifting procedures. He holds full membership in the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the Korean Society for Microsurgery, the Korean Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, the Japan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Patients considering facial contouring are evaluated individually for facial structure, soft-tissue condition, and bone density before a technique is recommended, since the appropriate combination of procedures depends heavily on the underlying anatomy rather than a patient's initial procedure request alone.

Because "facial contouring" is a broad category spanning the chin, midface, and forehead, and spanning both surgical bone work and non-surgical energy-based treatment, Dr. Choi's evaluation process places particular weight on correctly identifying which structure is actually driving a patient's concern before a plan is proposed. A patient who requests chin augmentation because their profile looks unbalanced may, on examination, have a concern that is more accurately addressed through forehead or cheekbone contouring, or through a combination of the two, since facial proportion is judged in relation to all of the face's structural landmarks together rather than any single feature in isolation.

Facial Contouring Options Available at Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic

Chin Augmentation	Nasolabial Fold Contouring	Forehead Contouring
Reshapes chin size, projection, or shape using a chin implant or, in selected cases, surgical reshaping of the chin bone (genioplasty)	Softens the visible folds running from the nose toward the mouth corners for a smoother, more balanced midface	Improves the shape, projection, and overall balance of the forehead
Best for a recessed or weak-looking chin, or for improving the relationship between chin, lips, nose, and jawline	Best for visible folds from aging, midface volume loss, or facial structure	Best for a clearly defined concern about forehead shape, width, or projection
Local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia; procedure commonly takes about 1-2 hours	Technique-dependent — injectable, fat-based, thread, or surgical correction; injectable options commonly take about 30-60 minutes	Non-surgical treatment commonly takes about 30-60 minutes; surgical contouring takes longer

Beyond these three named options, the clinic's stated facial contouring services also include laser facial contouring, a non-surgical, energy-based approach, alongside procedures marketed under the names "Short Chin," "Noble" (paranasal augmentation), and forehead refinement surgery — structural variations on chin, midface, and forehead contouring rather than entirely separate categories of treatment. Surgical options in this category generally follow a similar pattern: anesthesia administration, a precise incision (frequently placed inside the mouth or along the hairline so any resulting scar is concealed), bone reshaping, fat transplantation, or laser-assisted contouring, and finally suturing with a compression dressing.

For chin augmentation specifically, the surgeon reviews the patient's medical history, examines facial proportions and chin projection, and discusses the desired result, sometimes using photographs and imaging to determine the most suitable implant size or surgical plan; the procedure itself generally involves planning the desired projection, administering anesthesia, placing and securing a chin implant or reshaping the chin bone, checking symmetry and contour, and closing the incision. Nasolabial fold contouring is assessed according to fold depth, skin and soft-tissue condition, and the underlying cause of the fold before an appropriate technique — injectable, fat-based, thread, or surgical — is selected. Forehead contouring is evaluated according to forehead and brow anatomy, skin and bone structure, and the patient's desired outcome, with non-surgical treatment requiring little or no anesthesia and surgical forehead contouring generally using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.

Choosing between a fully surgical approach and a non-surgical alternative is not simply a matter of which sounds more effective — the degree of structural change actually needed constrains which option will produce a durable result. Non-surgical alternatives such as dermal fillers, botulinum toxin for masseter reduction, thread lifts, or energy-based skin-tightening devices can meaningfully soften softer-tissue and volume-related concerns, but they do not alter underlying bone the way genioplasty, bone reduction, or implant placement can. A patient whose primary concern is genuine bone-level disproportion is generally better served by a surgical plan, while a patient with a milder concern may achieve a comparable improvement with a less invasive option — which is why the surgeon's direct examination, rather than a fixed menu selection, determines the recommended combination of techniques.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Facial Contouring?

• Adults with a weak or recessed chin, prominent cheekbones or jaw angle, or localized facial fat seeking a permanent structural refinement.

• Patients with facial asymmetry, harsh or overly angular features, or age-related volume loss looking for a more harmonious, balanced outline.

• Patients with excessive fat around the cheeks and chin, an unclear line between the neck and face, or drooping cheeks following a prior double-jaw or facial contouring surgery.

• Generally healthy individuals medically fit for surgery, without uncontrolled medical conditions, without active facial skin infection, and without significant bone density issues.

• Patients with realistic expectations about the degree of change achievable through facial bone and soft-tissue reshaping.

• Not suitable candidates generally include those who are pregnant, medically unfit for anesthesia, or experiencing significant active healing problems, until these issues are addressed.

• Patients whose primary concern would be better addressed by a jaw-relationship (orthognathic) correction rather than aesthetic contouring alone should discuss this distinction candidly with the surgeon before proceeding.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Anesthesia is typically general or local with IV sedation for surgical facial contouring, while non-surgical options such as injectable nasolabial fold contouring or laser facial contouring generally require little to no anesthesia; the exact plan is confirmed with the surgeon based on the techniques involved.

Stage	What typically happens
Day of surgery	Anesthesia administered; precise incisions (often intraoral or hairline-concealed); bone reshaping, fat transplantation, or laser contouring performed; suturing and compression dressing placed
Day 1-3	Swelling typically peaks around 48-72 hours; bruising and tightness are most noticeable during this window
Week 1-2	Major recovery period; most patients resume light daily activity, though strenuous exercise generally remains restricted
Week 4-6	Initial visible outcome becomes clearer as most swelling subsides
Month 3-6+	Final structural settling completes; bone- and fat-based results are generally considered long-lasting to permanent

Surgery duration commonly ranges from about 1 to 4 hours depending on the complexity and combination of procedures involved, and international patients are generally advised to plan for 1-2 clinic visits for stitch removal and follow-up over an approximately 7-10 day stay in Korea, though the appropriate length of stay always depends on the specific procedure combination and individual healing and should be confirmed directly with the surgeon. Before surgery, patients are generally asked to avoid blood-thinning medications, alcohol, and smoking for about two weeks beforehand, and to fast for roughly eight hours before anesthesia; a complete medical and medication history, including any prior facial surgery, allergies, and dental or oral health considerations, should be disclosed at consultation.

Aftercare commonly includes wearing compression garments as directed to help manage swelling and support the reshaped contour, maintaining careful oral hygiene where an intraoral incision has been used, eating soft foods during initial healing, and avoiding strenuous exercise or pressure on the treated area until cleared by the surgeon. Chin augmentation recovery generally follows this same broad pattern, with the final contour continuing to stabilize over several weeks depending on the technique used. Nasolabial fold contouring recovery varies substantially by technique — non-surgical injectable approaches generally involve considerably less downtime than a surgical correction. Forehead contouring recovery similarly depends on whether a non-surgical or surgical approach is used, with non-surgical treatments generally requiring minimal downtime and surgical forehead contouring involving swelling and bruising for roughly 1-2 weeks.

International patients evaluating facial contouring in Seoul commonly weigh the accreditation of Korean clinics, the availability of language support during consultation and aftercare, and how remote follow-up will be handled once they return home. Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic offers English-language consultation and an online contact channel for international patients, though the exact length of stay and earliest safe date to fly home should always be confirmed individually with the surgeon.

Combining Facial Contouring with Other Treatments

• Facial contouring is frequently combined with rhinoplasty, since chin, cheek, and forehead proportion directly affects how the nose is perceived in profile.

• Chin augmentation is often planned alongside broader jawline contouring or other facial contouring procedures for a more complete lower-face result.

• Facial contouring is also commonly combined with eye surgery, facial lifting, or neck liposuction when a patient's overall goal is comprehensive facial harmonizing rather than a single isolated change.

• Nasolabial fold contouring and forehead contouring may each be combined with other facial contouring or rejuvenation procedures when clinically appropriate, based on individual assessment rather than a fixed package.

• Patients interested in a broader anti-aging plan alongside facial contouring may also review the clinic's Deep Layer Facelift (SMAS Facelift) and Anti-Aging & Lifting Surgery page.

Combining procedures within a single surgical session can reduce total recovery time and the total number of trips required compared with staging the same procedures across separate visits, which matters for international patients planning travel around their recovery. At the same time, combining too many structural procedures in one session can extend anesthesia time and lengthen overall recovery, so the surgical team weighs the specific combination against the patient's overall health and each procedure's individual healing requirements before recommending whether to combine or stage treatments.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic is a Registered Medical Institution for Attracting Foreign Patients, certified by Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare under the Medical Overseas Expansion and Foreign Patients Attraction Act. Dr. Choi deokho is a full member of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. Facial contouring patients are assessed individually through 3D imaging or X-rays, facial structural analysis, and soft-tissue evaluation before a surgical plan is finalized, alongside a full review of medical history and current medications. As with any facial bone or soft-tissue surgery, temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, infection risk, asymmetry, and nerve irritation are possible, and outcomes depend substantially on individual anatomy and healing — a consultation with the surgeon is required to review individual risk (see ASPS Chin Surgery).

Because facial contouring can involve implants, bone reshaping, or fat transplantation, sterile surgical technique and appropriate technique selection for each patient are treated as baseline requirements rather than differentiators. Postoperative risk reduction relies as much on scheduled follow-up monitoring as on the surgery itself, particularly for bone-based procedures where a missed follow-up visit can delay identification of a complication that would otherwise be manageable if caught early. Patients are encouraged to raise any concerning symptom promptly rather than waiting for the next scheduled appointment.

The Bottom Line

• Facial contouring at Good-Line spans chin augmentation, nasolabial fold contouring, forehead contouring, and non-surgical laser facial contouring.

• Technique and combination choice depends on an individual assessment of facial structure, soft tissue, and bone density — not a single default approach applied to every patient.

• Bone- and implant-based results are generally considered long-lasting to permanent, while fat-based and non-surgical approaches vary in how long their effect is maintained.

• Reviewed and performed under Dr. Choi deokho, a board-registered, experienced plastic surgeon with roughly 25 years at the clinic.

• Combining facial contouring with rhinoplasty, eye surgery, facial lifting, or neck liposuction is common when a patient's goal is comprehensive facial harmony.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is facial contouring surgery? Facial contouring surgery is a set of cosmetic surgical and non-surgical procedures designed to reshape, refine, and balance facial proportions, focusing on the jawline, chin, cheekbones, and forehead. It can involve bone reshaping, implants, fat transplantation, or non-surgical, energy-based laser facial contouring, depending on the patient's anatomy and goals.

Am I a good candidate for facial contouring? Good candidates generally include adults with excessive fat around the cheeks and chin, an unclear line between the neck and face, a weak or recessed chin, prominent cheekbones or jaw angle, or facial asymmetry, who are in generally good health with realistic expectations. Patients with uncontrolled medical conditions, active facial skin infections, or significant bone density issues are generally not suitable until these issues are medically addressed.

What facial contouring options does Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic offer? The clinic's stated facial contouring services include chin augmentation, nasolabial fold contouring, forehead contouring, and laser facial contouring, alongside procedures marketed as "Short Chin," "Noble" (paranasal augmentation), and forehead refinement surgery. The most suitable combination depends on an individual assessment of facial structure and goals.

Is facial contouring painful, and what anesthesia is used? Facial contouring is surgery, so some discomfort, swelling, and tightness during recovery can be expected. Depending on the type and extent of contouring, local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia may be used for surgical procedures, while non-surgical options generally require little to no anesthesia. The exact anesthesia plan should be confirmed with the surgeon.

How long does facial contouring surgery take? Surgical facial contouring commonly takes about 1 to 4 hours depending on the complexity and combination of procedures. Chin augmentation alone commonly takes about 1-2 hours, while non-surgical options such as injectable nasolabial fold contouring commonly take about 30-60 minutes.

What is the recovery timeline after facial contouring? Initial swelling typically peaks around 48-72 hours after surgery, with major recovery generally taking about 1-2 weeks. Final structural settling for bone- and fat-based procedures can take about 3-6 months, while non-surgical options generally involve considerably less downtime.

When will I see final results, and how long do they last? Initial visible outcomes are generally seen once swelling subsides, around 4-6 weeks after surgery, though final structural settling can continue for several months. Bone restructuring and fat grafting are generally considered to yield long-lasting to permanent results, while non-surgical approaches vary in how long their effect is maintained.

What are the risks of facial contouring surgery? Possible risks and side effects include temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, infection, asymmetry, and nerve irritation. Bone-based and implant-based procedures carry additional surgical risks specific to the technique used, such as implant displacement in chin augmentation. A consultation with the surgeon is required to review individual risk factors.

How many days should I plan to stay in Korea for facial contouring? As a general guide, international patients undergoing surgical facial contouring commonly allow approximately 7-10 days for surgery, stitch removal, and early follow-up, though this depends on the specific procedures combined and should be confirmed directly with the clinic. Non-surgical options, such as injectable nasolabial fold contouring, may require a considerably shorter stay of about 1-3 days.

Is English-language consultation available for facial contouring? Yes, Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic offers English-language support and an online consultation channel for international patients considering facial contouring, alongside a multilingual clinic website.

Can facial contouring be combined with other procedures in the same visit? Yes — facial contouring is frequently combined with eye surgery, rhinoplasty, facial lifting, or neck liposuction for a more complete facial harmonizing result. Whether combination surgery is appropriate depends on the patient's anatomy, overall health, and the total anesthesia and recovery time involved, and is assessed individually during consultation rather than offered as a standard package for every patient.

Book a Consultation at Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic

To discuss whether chin augmentation, nasolabial fold contouring, forehead contouring, laser facial contouring, or a combination of these approaches best fits your facial structure and goals, contact Good-Line Plastic Surgery Clinic in Gangnam-gu, Seoul at +82 2 543 1830 or through the clinic's online contact form. A consultation with the surgical team, including 3D imaging or X-ray analysis where appropriate, is the only reliable way to determine which combination of techniques fits your specific facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Disclaimer

This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Candidacy, technique, and expected outcomes can only be determined through a consultation with a qualified physician. Because outcomes and recovery depend on individual facial anatomy, bone density, and healing, none of the descriptions above should be read as a guarantee of a specific result, timeline, or degree of symmetry — they describe what the clinic's stated techniques generally involve and what patients commonly experience.

Sources & Further Reading

• ASPS — Chin Surgery (Genioplasty / Mentoplasty)

• Aesthetic Facial Skeletal Contouring in the Asian Patient — PubMed