Midface Reduction: The True Secret to a Smaller, More Beautiful Face
This YouTube video captures my direct consultation with a patient in the clinic, explaining the importance and effects of midface reduction surgery. Many people desire a smaller face, but often approach it with incorrect methods, leading to counterproductive results. Through this video, we will delve into the core principles of midface reduction and real-life cases.
The Pitfalls of Incorrect Face Reduction Attempts
The patient had previously made several attempts to make their face appear smaller. For instance, they underwent hair transplantation of over 1cm to make their hair appear larger than their face, and even surgery to insert silicone into their ears to make them protrude. However, these procedures had no effect on making the face smaller; instead, they reportedly resulted in the face appearing larger.
"After the surgery, your face actually got bigger, didn't it? Even if your 45-degree cheekbones were gone, your face would have become wider and broader. In fact, your face would have looked smaller when you had your 45-degree cheekbones."
This is a typical problem that can arise when only specific areas are addressed without considering the overall proportions of the face. If the middle part of the face is large and only the outer parts are continuously enlarged, the face can appear larger due to an optical illusion. I diagnosed that the reason eyes don't appear larger despite numerous surgeries to enlarge them is also because the lower face is larger than the upper face.
Why Midface Reduction is the Only Solution
So, what is the true method for creating a small and beautiful face? I assert that "the only way to make your face smaller is through midface reduction." The key is to definitively reduce the central part of the face to achieve overall balance. Manipulating peripheral areas, such as transplanting hair or inserting cement into the ears, will never make the face smaller.
Midface reduction not only reduces the width and length of the face simultaneously, making it appear smaller, but also has the effect of making the eyes look larger and more defined. This is because as the central part of the face is reduced, the proportion of the eyes relatively increases.
Amazing Surgical Results: CT Analysis
The remarkable changes can be confirmed through post-operative CT scans.
- Midface Reduction: The midface was perfectly reduced without any bone gaps.
- Cheekbone Reduction: Cheekbones were reduced by over 15mm on each side, totaling over 30mm.
- Eye Size Change: The effect of eyes appearing larger was achieved to the extent that it was described as, "The midface was reduced by more than half, so now only the eyes are visible."
These results are possible only when the surgery is performed with a precise understanding of the face's anatomical structure and proportions, and with meticulous design, going beyond simply shaving bone.
Key Effects of Midface Reduction:
- Reduced Face Size: The overall width and length of the face are reduced, making the face appear smaller.
- Emphasized Eyes: As the midface is reduced, the eyes appear relatively larger and more striking.
- Improved Three-Dimensionality: The flat appearance of the face is improved, giving a more three-dimensional and sophisticated impression.
- Youthful Effect: As the central part of the face shortens, a more youthful appearance can be expected.
Successful Proportion Adjustment and the Future
In conclusion, this patient also successfully achieved a smaller midface by adjusting proportions. After the surgery, they even had the 'happy problem' of wondering, "I've transplanted too much hair; should I get some of it removed?" Of course, hair removal is a simple issue that can be resolved with a laser.
Making a face small and beautiful is not merely about reducing specific areas, but about achieving harmony and proportion across the entire face. Midface reduction is one of the most effective and fundamental methods to achieve this goal.
Dr. Myungjun Oh, On Clinic | Last reviewed 2026-05-23