Skull Reshaping? Korean Plastic Surgery and Its Intriguing World

ACTRESS PARK MIN YOUNG HAS OPENLY ADMITTED TO UNDERGOING EYELID AND NOSE SURGERY. IMAGE: @RACHEL_MYPARK

In South Korea, a highly specific type of beauty is considered the universal cultural supreme. Jay Han, a JW plastic surgery consultant, tells Beauticate that V-shaped chins, with minimal jaw or cheekbone definition, are highly sought after. Round skulls, lifted lip corners, petite lips and slight puffiness under the eyes are also in demand in the world of Korean plastic surgery. Jay explains that “although everyone has different tastes, there is a dominant cultural preference. For example, some Koreans lust after the Angelina Jolie pout, but smaller lips align more cohesively with a softer South Korean beauty ideal.”

PLASTIC SURGERY SKULL RESHAPING

Full foreheads and round skulls are synonymous with youth and vitality in South Korea. Physiognomy (determining someone’s fate and character based upon physical features) is still a powerful cultural phenomenon in South Korea – and these features represent increased wealth, intelligence and luck.

Surgical Procedure: An incision of 4-5 cm is made on the scalp. A bone cement implant is inserted and moulded onto the area of the skull that needs augmenting, to smooth over flat areas and provide a rounder shape. The patient’s own fat can also be grafted onto their forehead to achieve more volume.

CHEEKBONE/JAWLINE REDUCTION

Strong cheek and jawline definition are considered undesirable in South Korea, as these features are thought of as harsh and haggard. South Koreans feel high cheekbones and sculpted jawlines signify angst and are deemed overly masculine – a look that is far removed from the baby faced ideal many Korean women chase after.

Surgical Procedure: Cheek and jaw bone is shaved from the face and is repositioned. Screws are then put in place where the bone has been excised, to hold the remaining bone structure together.

V-SHAPED CHIN

South Koreans favour a lower facial structure shaped in the form of the letter V. The V line face shape is highly coveted in South Korea as it gives the illusion of a more petite visage. South Koreans are enamoured with small faces, considering them a prerequisite to being considered beautiful.

Surgical Procedure: Either an implant is inserted to create a more V-shaped chin, bone is shaved, or the chin is moved forward to project it further out. To narrow the lower face even more, excess fat and muscle can also be removed. A more invasive method called double jaw surgery goes beyond just jaw shaving: it involves completely detaching and realigning the upper and lower jaws to achieve a smaller face overall. The jaw is then wired for 6 weeks to maintain the newly aligned position.

INCREASING UNDEREYE PUFFINESS

South Koreans believe little pockets of fat situated just underneath the lower lash line create a more youthful appearance. These are supposed to be reminiscent of babies and the puffiness under their lash line when smiling.

Surgical Procedure: Undereye fat is repositioned to increase volume right beneath the eyes. Fat can also be removed from other areas of the body and injected underneath the eyes.