V-line face: Find out why this type of face is the most requested in Asian countries

Did you know that a V-line face, narrow jaw, small nose and large eyes are considered characteristics of feminine beauty in East Asia? For that reason, the most popular surgery is jaw surgery, especially in countries well known for their addiction to cosmetic surgery, such as South Korea.

How is jaw surgery performed?

The procedure involves making cuts in the bone and aligning it with the rest of the face. Recovery can take several months and involves different types of risks.

Why is South Korea recognized as the country that promotes surgeries to achieve a V-line face?

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons has pointed out that South Korea has one of the highest per capita rates of plastic surgery in the world. One in five women in Seoul has undergone some type of aesthetic surgical procedure, such as:

• Eyelid surgery to make their eyes look more “Western”.
• Jaw reduction (popularly known in that country as the “Up”), so that it looks less square.

In South Korea, campaigns and even television shows (paid for by cosmetic surgery clinics) are carried out to promote the benefits of the “Up”. Many entertainment celebrities have even undergone this procedure. Figures indicate that around 5,000 surgeries of this type are performed annually. The cost of this procedure has become considerably “cheaper” because the supply is growing in parallel with demand.

What are the consequences of undergoing Up surgery in Korea?

Shin Hyon-Ho, a Seoul lawyer specializing in medical malpractice, points out that in many cases the procedure leaves sequelae such as chronic pain, crooked mouth, misaligned teeth, and can even lead to the loss of the ability to chew or smile. A recent study revealed that 52 percent of those who underwent the procedure suffered some type of sequelae. At a minimum, there are sensory problems or facial numbness.

Everything worsened when a 23-year-old woman committed suicide some time after undergoing double jaw surgery. In her suicide note, the young woman described her despair because the surgery had left her unable to chew food. She also lost the ability to cry because the procedure damaged a nerve linked to the tear duct. The tragedy raised concerns about safety standards and the lack of supervision applied to cosmetic surgeries in the country.

Can the Up surgery to have a “V-line face” only be found in Korea?

Cases of medical malpractice resulting from the “Up” have not only occurred in South Korean territory. In China, singer Wang Bei died on November 25, 2010 due to complications arising from surgery to narrow her jaw. And during 2012 in the United States, the number of jaw surgeries performed increased by 71 percent compared to 2011. This procedure is growing in demand much more than other very popular ones such as breast augmentation, botox injections or liposuction.

These are just some cases that were published. The obsession with westernizing beauty often has irreversible results.

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