Facial contouring (jaw, cheekbone, chin)

Bone surgery for a slimmer face shape

Reshapes the bones of the jaw, cheekbones or chin, alone or together, usually through incisions inside the mouth. It is done under general anaesthesia with 1–2 nights in hospital, and most visible swelling eases in 2–4 weeks while the final shape takes 3–6 months. Plan a soft diet and quiet days for the first part of your stay.

Downtime
14–28 days
Minimum stay
14 days
Sessions
1
A front view of a face with the bones beneath shown faintly. Dashed lines show a wider outline before at the cheekbones, the jaw angles and the chin, and small arrows point inward to the slimmer outline after.
  1. Cheekbones. The cheekbone is cut and set inward to narrow a wide midface.
  2. Jaw angles. The angle of the lower jaw is reduced, often with the outer layer trimmed, for a slimmer lower face.
  3. Chin. Moved forward, shortened or narrowed (genioplasty), or given projection with an implant.

Jaw and chin are reached through incisions inside the mouth; cheekbone surgery may add a small incision near the ear. Schematic.

Estimated price range

KRW 2,500,000 – 7,000,000 · one area

≈ USD 1,857 – 5,201

Varies by clinic and your condition. The final price is confirmed after consultation.

Converted at a fixed rate as of 2026-09-11

Types and indicative prices

Many operations combine two or more of these. Prices are indicative ranges from Seoul clinics; the surgeon recommends a plan and the clinic quotes it after consultation.

  • Square jaw reduction

    The angle of the lower jaw is reduced through incisions inside the mouth, often with trimming of the outer layer of bone for a slimmer front view. Suits a wide, angular jaw caused by bone rather than muscle.

    Indicative price
    KRW 2,500,000 – 7,000,000≈ USD 1,857 – 5,201
    Downtime
    14–28 days

  • Cheekbone reduction

    The body and arch of the cheekbone (zygoma) are cut and set inward to narrow a wide or prominent midface. Suits cheekbones that stand out from the front or the side.

    Indicative price
    KRW 2,500,000 – 7,000,000≈ USD 1,857 – 5,201
    Downtime
    14–28 days

  • Chin surgery (genioplasty or implant)

    A sliding genioplasty cuts and moves the chin bone to bring it forward, shorten it or narrow it; a chin implant adds projection instead. Suits a receding, long or wide chin.

    Indicative price
    KRW 1,000,000 – 6,500,000≈ USD 743 – 4,830
    Downtime
    10–21 days

  • V-line: jaw, cheekbone and chin together

    All three areas are reshaped in one operation for a balanced, slimmer face. Recovery is longer than for a single area, so plan more time in Korea.

    Indicative price
    KRW 5,000,000 – 13,000,000 · three areas≈ USD 3,715 – 9,659
    Downtime
    21–42 days

  • Non-surgical alternative: jaw botox and contour injections

    Botox relaxes a bulky jaw muscle and contour injections soften the line, with no cutting. Suits a jaw that looks wide because of muscle, or anyone wanting a smaller change.

    Indicative price
    KRW 50,000 – 250,000 · per session≈ USD 37 – 186
    Downtime
    0–3 days

    See Botox

Good to know

  • Plan about 14 days in Korea for one area, and longer if several areas are done together.
  • Wear the compression band for the first weeks as the clinic advises, and keep to a soft or liquid diet for about 2–4 weeks.
  • Numbness of the lower lip or chin is common at first and is usually temporary; tell the surgeon if it persists.
  • A CT scan at consultation shows the bone and nerves; the surgeon decides what is safe to change.

Questions

Which areas do I need?

The surgeon decides at consultation after examining your face and the CT scan. Some people need one area; others are advised to balance two or three.

How long until the swelling goes down?

Most visible swelling eases in 2–4 weeks, and the final shape shows over about 3–6 months. Healing differs between individuals.

Will there be visible scars?

Jaw and cheekbone work is usually done through the mouth, and the cheekbone arch through a small incision near the sideburn, so scars are rarely visible. The surgeon explains the incisions for your plan.

When can I fly home?

Most patients fly after the post-op check, about two weeks after surgery, once the surgeon has cleared them. Keep the compression band and soft diet going at home as instructed.

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