Philtrum Contouring Surgery Melbourne (Philtrum Definition)

Dr Jeremy Richardson, a Specialist Plastic Surgeon based in Melbourne, performs this procedure based on each patient’s individual anatomy, health, and suitability, which he assesses carefully during a consultation.

What Does Philtrum Contouring Surgery Involve?

Philtrum contouring is a surgical procedure to shape the area between the base of the nose and the upper lip. It works by removing a central portion of the orbicularis muscle, which is the circular muscle around the mouth, from the area under the philtral dimple. This changes the outline of the philtral columns and the central upper lip.

Philtrum contouring is often done at the same time as an upper lip lift, as both focus on the upper lip and the central part of the face. When the two procedures are performed together, philtrum contouring usually adds about 20 minutes to the overall surgery, although the exact time can vary. It can also be done on its own, depending on the assessment made at the consultation.

The procedure is performed as a day case, and an overnight hospital stay is not always required, although this can vary depending on individual circumstances. It can be carried out under local anaesthesia, where the area is numbed, and you remain awake, or under general anaesthesia, where you are fully asleep. The most appropriate option is discussed and decided with Dr Richardson during the consultation.

Who May Be Suitable for Philtrum Surgery?

Philtrum contouring surgery may be considered by patients who want more structure in the philtral columns, as well as patients who are already planning an upper lip lift and want to address the philtral columns at the same time. Good overall health and realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve are also important, and all of these are assessed individually by Dr Richardson during the consultation.

Whether this procedure is appropriate depends on a number of individual factors, including facial anatomy, overall health, and medical history. Dr Richardson assesses these in detail during a consultation and provides a clear, clinical view of whether the procedure is appropriate for each person’s situation.

Philtrum contouring surgery is not appropriate for everyone. A thorough in-person consultation is the most reliable way to understand whether the procedure may be suitable for you and what it can realistically achieve in your specific case. Surgery is a serious decision, and Dr Richardson ensures each patient has clear, accurate, and complete information before deciding whether to proceed.

Risks and Potential Complications

As with all surgical procedures, philtrum contouring surgery carries risks and potential complications. These vary between patients and depend on a range of individual factors. Risks may include:

• Scarring — The procedure involves incisions in the philtrum area, so external scarring is expected. How scars heal differs between individuals and depends on factors such as skin type, genetics, and how well aftercare instructions are followed. Scar appearance can change as healing progresses over time.
• Asymmetry — The definition or appearance of the philtral columns may differ between the two sides. In some cases, further assessment or revision may be required.
• Infection — Any surgical procedure involving incisions carries a risk of infection. Signs may include increasing pain, swelling, warmth, or discharge in the days following the procedure.
• Changes to sensation — Temporary or, in rare cases, longer-lasting changes in sensation around the upper lip and philtrum area can occur following surgery.
• Prolonged swelling — Swelling in the upper lip and philtrum area is expected after surgery and will gradually settle over a period of weeks. How long this takes varies between patients.
• Changes to lip movement — Because the procedure involves the orbicular muscle, which plays a role in how the lips move, there is a possibility of changes to lip movement and function following surgery. Dr Richardson discusses this risk with each patient during the consultation.
• Changes in appearance over time — The way the philtrum looks immediately after surgery may differ from the long-term result as the tissue continues to settle and heal. Individual results vary.

This is not a complete list of all possible risks. Dr Richardson discusses the specific risks relevant to each patient’s anatomy and health history during the consultation.

What to Expect During Recovery

Recovery from philtrum contouring surgery varies from patient to patient. Swelling and mild discomfort around the upper lip and philtrum area are expected in the days following surgery and will gradually settle over a period of weeks. Some bruising may also be present in the initial recovery period.

Patients are given specific aftercare instructions, which may include guidance on diet, oral hygiene, activity restrictions, and how to care for the incision sites while the area heals. Time away from work and daily activities will depend on each patient’s individual circumstances and how their body heals. Because the philtrum and upper lip area are used during everyday activities such as eating, drinking, and talking, following aftercare advice carefully during the healing period is important. Recovery timelines differ between individuals, and Dr Richardson discusses this in detail at the consultation.

The Consultation Process

A consultation with Dr Richardson is an essential step before any decision about surgery is made. During this appointment, he takes a thorough medical history, examines the patient’s facial anatomy, and discusses what the patient is hoping to understand about the procedure. He explains what the surgery involves in plain terms, outlines the relevant risks, describes what recovery may look like for that specific patient, and answers any questions.

Dr Richardson provides a clear, clinical view of whether philtrum contouring surgery is appropriate for each patient’s individual situation, including what the procedure can and cannot achieve. Patients are encouraged to consider the information provided and to ask further questions before making any decision about whether to proceed.

Why Choose Dr Richardson for Philtrum Surgery in Melbourne

Dr Jeremy Richardson is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon and Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS Plast) in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This is the recognised specialist qualification for plastic surgeons in Australia, awarded after completing an accredited training programme and formal examinations. His training included an international fellowship at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom, with a specific focus on head and neck surgery, as well as additional aesthetic surgical training in London’s Harley Street Medical District.

He is an ANZBCPS Board Certified Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and is a member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS), the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS). These memberships reflect a continued engagement with the standards and developments in plastic and aesthetic surgical practice, both in Australia and internationally.

Philtrum contouring surgery requires a precise understanding of the anatomy of the central face and upper lip, including the structural relationship between the philtral columns, the orbicularis oris muscle, and the overlying skin. Dr Richardson’s specialist training in head and neck surgery, combined with his broader experience in facial plastic and reconstructive procedures, means he brings a thorough clinical understanding to the assessment and performance of this procedure. For patients considering philtrum contouring surgery, the consultation includes an assessment of individual anatomy, an explanation of what the procedure involves, and a discussion of possible changes in their situation.