Guides
Facial contouring in Korea — V-line, cheekbone reduction, chin surgery, cost and recovery
A guide to facial bone contouring in Korea for international patients — square jaw reduction, cheekbone (zygoma) reduction, genioplasty and chin augmentation, two-jaw surgery, safety and anaesthesia questions, typical recovery and stay length, and live starting prices from verified Korean clinics on Mimi.
Facial contouring — reshaping the jaw, cheekbones and chin — is the procedure Korea is most famous for internationally, and the one that most rewards careful clinic selection. It is bone surgery under general anaesthesia, so the questions to ask are about safety systems and the surgeon's specific experience, not only about the photos.
Facial Contouring on Mimi right now
Prices are starting prices entered by each clinic and are refreshed daily. The final cost is confirmed after a consultation.
See all Facial Contouring clinics & pricesThe main procedures
Square jaw (mandibular angle) reduction
Shortens and smooths the jaw angle, often with cortical shaving to slim the lower face. The "V-line" many patients ask for combines jaw angle reduction with chin work.
Cheekbone (zygoma) reduction
Repositions the cheekbone arch inward and back to narrow the mid-face. Incisions are inside the mouth and in the sideburn hairline.
Genioplasty and chin augmentation
Moves or reshapes the chin bone (T-osteotomy for a narrower chin, advancement for a receding chin) or augments a small chin with an implant or fat.
Paranasal augmentation
Fills the flat area beside the nostrils to soften a protruding mouth appearance.
Two-jaw (orthognathic) surgery
Repositions both jaws for bite problems and facial imbalance. This is major surgery with orthodontic planning before and after; it is done in specialised clinics and hospitals.
Revision contouring
Correcting asymmetry, sagging or unsatisfying results from previous bone surgery.
Safety questions to ask before booking
- Is a board-certified anaesthesiologist present for the entire operation?
- Does the clinic have a 3D CT scanner and plan the osteotomy on your scan?
- What monitoring and emergency equipment are in the operating room, and is there an overnight recovery ward?
- How is nerve injury (numbness of the lower lip) risk managed, and how often does it happen in the surgeon's cases?
- What is the plan for sagging of soft tissue after bone reduction — is a lift or fat grafting recommended for your age?
Clinics used to international patients answer these directly. Doctor pages on Mimi show specialty and career details, and you can put these questions in a chat or a video consultation with the surgeon.
Cost in Korea
Facial contouring is among the most expensive cosmetic surgeries in Korea because it involves general anaesthesia, CT planning and an operating team. Single procedures (jaw or cheekbone or chin) cost less than combined "3-piece" contouring; two-jaw surgery is priced separately and higher. Quotes should include the CT, anaesthesia, the overnight stay and follow-up de-swelling care. The live table above shows the range of starting prices clinics on Mimi have entered. See the cost guide.
Recovery timeline
- Day 0–1: overnight stay in the clinic in most cases; liquid diet.
- Week 1–2: major swelling; soft food; stitches inside the mouth dissolve or are removed around day 10–14.
- Week 2–4: swelling reduces enough for daily life; many patients return home after the 2-week check.
- Month 1–3: most swelling gone; numbness gradually improves.
- Month 3–6: final contour settles as bone heals and soft tissue adapts.
Plan at least 14 days in Korea. See the trip planning guide.
This week's most consulted: Facial Contouring
See all Facial Contouring clinics & prices
How to choose a contouring surgeon
- Look for a plastic surgeon (or oral and maxillofacial surgeon for two-jaw) whose practice is centred on facial bone surgery.
- Compare before & after photos at 6 months or later, from the front and at a 45-degree angle.
- Ask to see cases with a starting face similar to yours: wide jaw angle, prominent cheekbones, long chin, asymmetry.
- Prefer clinics that are transparent about anaesthesia staffing and overnight monitoring.
Korean clinics for Facial Contouring on Mimi
Verified clinics on Mimi that list Facial Contouring. The descriptions below are written by each clinic on its own procedure pages; open the links for the full page, prices and before & after photos.
MARBLE PLASTIC SURGERY
Eye · Nose · Facial · Breast137 video consultationsAt Marvel, where patients always come first, we continuously strive for you.
Facial Contouring at this clinic
Minimal osteotomy V-line tailored to your facial proportions. Marvel’s V-line jaw surgery is not simply about removing more bone; it is customized to harmonize naturally with each individual’s facial features. — from MARBLE PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page
Doctors: Il beom Seo
A soft, three-dimensional facial contour—small and slim from every angle! Prominent cheekbones can create an unsophisticated appearance and make the overall impression seem stronger. — from MARBLE PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page
Doctors: Il beom Seo
Questions MARBLE PLASTIC SURGERY answers
Q. How can I make an appointment for a consultation?
You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The doctor's available time slots will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.
Q. How much does the surgery cost?
The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can receive guidance on the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be found on each procedure’s detailed page.
Lara plastic surgery
Eye · Nose · Facial · Body44 video consultationsLara
Facial Contouring at this clinic
Questions Lara plastic surgery answers
Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?
You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The available time slots of the doctor will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.
Q. How much does the surgery cost?
The cost of surgery varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can be informed of the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be checked on each procedure detail page.
SEOULFACE21
Facial21 video consultationsRediscover the real you. We redesign your face, your life, and your confidence.
Facial Contouring at this clinic
Revision Facial Contouring SurgeryFrom 1 KRW
윤곽수술 후 윤곽 재수술은 재수술의 목적이 미용적 개선을 위한 것인지, 기능적 회복을 위한 것인지에 대한 명확한 구분이 필요하다. 이에 따라 3D 분석을 기반으로 환자가 재수술을 통해 개선하고자 하는 사항을 정밀하게 원인 분석하고, 해부학적 구조를 면밀히 검토한 뒤 적절한 진단과 수술 방법을 설정하는 과정이 매우 중요하다. — from SEOULFACE21's procedure page
Doctors: HanWool Choung, DongJae Lee, PARK
Facial Skeletal ReconstructionFrom 1 KRW
수술에 사용되었던 핀들은 인체에 무해한 티타늄 소재로, 꼭 제거할 필요는 없으며, 일상생활에 전혀 지장을 주지 않습니다. 다만 드물지만 티타늄 알레르기가 있거나 핀 주변에 염증이 생기는 경우 등에는 핀제거 수술이 필요합니다. 치과 엑스레이 촬영 및 얼굴 CT촬영 시 얼굴핀이 드러나기 때문에 양악수술 이력이 밝혀지는 걸 원하지 않는 분들의 경우에도 핀제거수술을 고려할 수 있습니다. — from SEOULFACE21's procedure page
Doctors: DongJae Lee, PARK
Questions SEOULFACE21 answers
Q. May I consult directly with the director?
A consultation with the director requires CT images. If you do not have CT images, a consultation with the senior coordinator is available. If you visit the hospital, you can undergo all necessary examinations and have a consultation.
Q. How can I make an appointment for a consultation?
You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The doctor's available time slots will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.
JT PLASTIC SURGERY
Eye · Nose · Facial · Lifting92 video consultationsYou can just trust me, JT!
Facial Contouring at this clinic
Enhances the area beside the nose to create a smoother, more balanced facial profile. — from JT PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page
Doctors: MIJUNG
Reduces prominent cheekbones to create a slimmer, more harmonious facial contour. — from JT PLASTIC SURGERY's procedure page
Doctors: MIJUNG
Questions JT PLASTIC SURGERY answers
Q. How do I make an appointment for a consultation?
You can make a reservation by selecting your desired date and time through the in-app video consultation booking feature. The doctor's available time slots will be displayed, and you may choose your preferred time.
Q. How much does the surgery cost?
The surgery cost varies depending on the type of procedure and your individual condition. You can receive information on the exact cost after consulting with the doctor through a video consultation. The basic price range can be found on each procedure detail page.
FAQ
How much does V-line surgery cost in Korea?
A V-line usually combines jaw angle reduction with genioplasty, so it is priced higher than a single-area procedure. The live table on this page shows starting prices entered by clinics on Mimi; make sure a quote includes the 3D CT, general anaesthesia, the overnight stay and follow-up care.
Is facial contouring safe?
In the hands of a specialist team with an anaesthesiologist present, facial contouring has a well-documented safety record in Korea. The main risks are bleeding, infection, temporary or occasionally lasting numbness, and asymmetry. Choosing a clinic with proper monitoring is the most important safety decision you make.
How long is the stay in Korea?
At least two weeks: an overnight stay after surgery, then checks and stitch removal over the following 10–14 days. Some surgeons prefer a longer stay for combined procedures.
Will my face sag after bone reduction?
Soft tissue can loosen after the bone volume is reduced, especially over 35 or with thicker skin. Surgeons often recommend a mid-face lift, thread lift or fat grafting alongside or later; ask what applies to you.
Can two-jaw surgery be done for cosmetic reasons?
Two-jaw surgery is primarily for bite and jaw-position problems, which also change facial proportions. It requires orthodontic planning, a specialised team and a longer recovery; it is not a substitute for simpler contouring when the bite is normal.
Related guides
How much does plastic surgery cost in Korea? A price guide for international patients
What plastic surgery and cosmetic treatments cost in Korea, what drives the price, how quotes work, what is usually included, and how to compare starting prices from verified clinics on Mimi by category.
How to find and compare Korean plastic surgery clinics as an international patient (without a broker)
A step-by-step checklist for foreigners finding, comparing and choosing a Korean plastic surgery or dermatology clinic — where to find clinics that treat international patients, how to check licences and board certification, compare quotes and reviews, judge anaesthesia safety and revision policies, and consult the doctor online with interpretation before booking.
How to verify a Korean plastic surgery clinic and doctor before booking
The public registries and questions international patients can use to check a Korean plastic surgery clinic — that it is a licensed medical institution, that the surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon, that the clinic is registered to treat foreign patients with malpractice insurance, who administers anaesthesia, the operating-room CCTV rule, and how to avoid ghost surgery.
How to get plastic surgery quotes from Korean clinics before you travel
How international patients get price quotes from Korean plastic surgery and dermatology clinics from abroad — what a Korean quote includes, three ways to request one (chat, multi-clinic quote request, video consultation), what to send, how to compare quotes fairly, and the warning signs of a misleading quote.
This content is general information for international patients and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Recovery times, risks and costs vary by person and clinic. Always make medical decisions in consultation with a licensed doctor.