Hello,
I’m Dr. Seung-Wan Tak, Chief Surgeon at Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery, located near Gangnam Station in Seoul. I specialize in lip surgeries, including lip lift (also known as philtrum reduction) procedures.
One of the most common surgeries I perform weekly is the lip lift.

When consulting with patients about lip lifts, many often ask, “Doctor, is it possible to do this surgery without leaving a scar?”
The short answer is yes, there are ways to perform a lip lift without visible scarring. However, due to several reasons, I don’t perform this particular method.
Let me explain what this “scar-free” lip lift technique is and why I don’t recommend or perform it.
Traditional Lip Lift vs. “Scar-Free” Lip Lift: What’s the Difference?
In a traditional lip lift, which may leave a small, hidden scar, the procedure involves:
- Making an incision along the base of the nose (the subnasal area).

- Removing excess skin to shorten the length of the philtrum.
- Sometimes adjusting the underlying orbicularis oris muscle for better results.

- Pulling up the upper lip and suturing it into place.
This technique can significantly reduce the length of the philtrum and enhance the appearance of the upper lip.
Now, while scars are often minimal and fade well over time with proper post-op care, it’s important to note that results vary depending on individual healing and adherence to scar management techniques.
On the other hand, the “scar-free” lip lift involves removing tissue from inside the nostrils, specifically the area known as the “subnasal mound.” This tissue is reduced, allowing the philtrum to shorten. Because the incision is hidden inside the nostrils, there’s no visible scar on the outside.


So Why Don’t I Perform the “Scar-Free” Lip Lift?
While the idea of a scar-free lip lift sounds ideal, there are significant drawbacks:
Risk of Distorted Nasal Shape:
The tissue removed in a scar-free lip lift directly affects the structure of the nostrils. Patients often experience a pinched or irregular nostril shape after this procedure.
Limited Results:
Since the incision is farther away from the philtrum and lips, the amount of shortening that can be achieved is minimal. Many patients find that the before-and-after difference is barely noticeable.
Not Suitable for Everyone:
This method only works for individuals with prominent subnasal tissue. About 50% of patients don’t have enough tissue in this area to make the procedure feasible.
Lack of Clinical Validation:
The scar-free technique is rarely used and lacks extensive clinical studies or long-term results. It’s a relatively unproven method compared to the traditional lip lift.

For these reasons, I focus exclusively on the traditional lip lift method, which is safer, more reliable, and produces noticeable, long-lasting results.
What About Scars from a Traditional Lip Lift?
I completely understand why patients worry about scarring. However, with the traditional method, scars can be minimized and often become barely visible over time.


At Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery, I use advanced techniques to ensure that scars are as small and subtle as possible. After surgery, we provide:
- Special Suturing Methods to promote better healing.
- Scar Treatments like lasers and injections to reduce redness and texture.
- Tips to camouflage scars with light makeup during the healing process.
In most cases, scars fade to a point where they’re nearly invisible with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of a scar-free lip lift may seem appealing, the potential downsides—like distortion of nasal shape and limited effectiveness—outweigh the benefits.
If you’re considering a lip lift, I recommend discussing all options with an experienced surgeon. With the right surgical technique and proper aftercare, the traditional method can deliver excellent results while minimizing scarring.
If you have any concerns or would like to learn more, feel free to schedule a consultation at our clinic. As the Chief Surgeon, I personally handle all consultations and surgeries to ensure the best outcomes for my patients.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your lip lift journey!
Warm regards,
Dr. Seung-Wan Tak
Chief Surgeon, Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery
Contact Us
๐ Address: 9th Floor, 423 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
๐ Phone: +82-2-534-1234
๐ฑ DM us on Instagram!
Note: Consultations are 100% appointment-only to ensure the highest quality of care.
#LipLift #PhiltrumReduction #LipLiftKorea #DrTakPlasticSurgery #NaturalLipEnhancements #LipAesthetics #LipLiftExpert #LipLiftResults #PhiltrumReductionSurgery #ScarlessLipLift #LipLiftBeforeAfter #KoreanPlasticSurgery #LipLiftExpertise #SubnasalLipLift #LipAestheticsSeoul #NaturalLipLift #KBeautyProcedures #GangnamPlasticSurgery #UpperLipEnhancement #LipLiftSpecialist #PlasticSurgerySouthKorea #KoreanLipLift #LipLiftRecovery #LipLiftTransformation #AestheticLipSurgery #ExpertLipSurgeon #KoreaCosmeticSurgery #ScarFreeLipLift #BullhornLipLift
Hello,
I’m Dr. Seung-Wan Tak, Chief Surgeon at Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery, located near Gangnam Station in Seoul. I specialize in lip surgeries, including lip lift (also known as philtrum reduction) procedures.
One of the most common surgeries I perform weekly is the lip lift.
When consulting with patients about lip lifts, many often ask, “Doctor, is it possible to do this surgery without leaving a scar?”
The short answer is yes, there are ways to perform a lip lift without visible scarring. However, due to several reasons, I don’t perform this particular method.
Let me explain what this “scar-free” lip lift technique is and why I don’t recommend or perform it.
Traditional Lip Lift vs. “Scar-Free” Lip Lift: What’s the Difference?
In a traditional lip lift, which may leave a small, hidden scar, the procedure involves:
This technique can significantly reduce the length of the philtrum and enhance the appearance of the upper lip.
Now, while scars are often minimal and fade well over time with proper post-op care, it’s important to note that results vary depending on individual healing and adherence to scar management techniques.
On the other hand, the “scar-free” lip lift involves removing tissue from inside the nostrils, specifically the area known as the “subnasal mound.” This tissue is reduced, allowing the philtrum to shorten. Because the incision is hidden inside the nostrils, there’s no visible scar on the outside.
So Why Don’t I Perform the “Scar-Free” Lip Lift?
While the idea of a scar-free lip lift sounds ideal, there are significant drawbacks:
Risk of Distorted Nasal Shape:
The tissue removed in a scar-free lip lift directly affects the structure of the nostrils. Patients often experience a pinched or irregular nostril shape after this procedure.
Limited Results:
Since the incision is farther away from the philtrum and lips, the amount of shortening that can be achieved is minimal. Many patients find that the before-and-after difference is barely noticeable.
Not Suitable for Everyone:
This method only works for individuals with prominent subnasal tissue. About 50% of patients don’t have enough tissue in this area to make the procedure feasible.
Lack of Clinical Validation:
The scar-free technique is rarely used and lacks extensive clinical studies or long-term results. It’s a relatively unproven method compared to the traditional lip lift.
For these reasons, I focus exclusively on the traditional lip lift method, which is safer, more reliable, and produces noticeable, long-lasting results.
What About Scars from a Traditional Lip Lift?
I completely understand why patients worry about scarring. However, with the traditional method, scars can be minimized and often become barely visible over time.
At Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery, I use advanced techniques to ensure that scars are as small and subtle as possible. After surgery, we provide:
In most cases, scars fade to a point where they’re nearly invisible with minimal effort.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of a scar-free lip lift may seem appealing, the potential downsides—like distortion of nasal shape and limited effectiveness—outweigh the benefits.
If you’re considering a lip lift, I recommend discussing all options with an experienced surgeon. With the right surgical technique and proper aftercare, the traditional method can deliver excellent results while minimizing scarring.
If you have any concerns or would like to learn more, feel free to schedule a consultation at our clinic. As the Chief Surgeon, I personally handle all consultations and surgeries to ensure the best outcomes for my patients.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this information helps you make an informed decision about your lip lift journey!
Warm regards,
Dr. Seung-Wan Tak
Chief Surgeon, Dr. Tak Plastic Surgery
Contact Us
๐ Address: 9th Floor, 423 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
๐ Phone: +82-2-534-1234
๐ฑ DM us on Instagram!
Note: Consultations are 100% appointment-only to ensure the highest quality of care.
#LipLift #PhiltrumReduction #LipLiftKorea #DrTakPlasticSurgery #NaturalLipEnhancements #LipAesthetics #LipLiftExpert #LipLiftResults #PhiltrumReductionSurgery #ScarlessLipLift #LipLiftBeforeAfter #KoreanPlasticSurgery #LipLiftExpertise #SubnasalLipLift #LipAestheticsSeoul #NaturalLipLift #KBeautyProcedures #GangnamPlasticSurgery #UpperLipEnhancement #LipLiftSpecialist #PlasticSurgerySouthKorea #KoreanLipLift #LipLiftRecovery #LipLiftTransformation #AestheticLipSurgery #ExpertLipSurgeon #KoreaCosmeticSurgery #ScarFreeLipLift #BullhornLipLift