Types of Facial Contouring Surgery & How to Choose by Face Type | Downtime and Side Effects Explained

"Facial contouring" reshapes the face line and transforms your facial impression.

Even within facial contouring, the specific procedure varies depending on the desired contour and the current condition of your face.

In this article, KAI CLINIC TOKYO provides a clear overview of the types of facial contouring procedures available, how to choose the right one, downtime, and more.

We also introduce before-and-after cases of patients who have undergone facial contouring at our clinic, so if you are unsure which procedure is right for you, please use this as a reference.

[Bone Cutting] Facial Contouring at KAI CLINIC TOKYO

First, we introduce facial contouring through bone-cutting surgery, which directly approaches the bone structure.

【Contour 3 Points】Small Face & Contour Reshaping by Jaw, Cheek, and Chin Osteotomy

Contour 3 Points is a surgery combining cheekbone osteotomy with V-line reshaping (jaw and chin).

By cutting and shaving the protruding jaw, cheeks, and chin tip, this small face/contour treatment refines the facial line. Because it uses an intraoral approach, it is less likely to leave visible scars on the outside.

The details of each procedure for the jaw, cheeks, and chin are as follows.

Procedure Name	Details
Mandibular Angle Reduction (Jaw Shaving)	A surgery suited for those whose protruding mandibular angle gives the face a home-base or square appearance.
Cheekbone Osteotomy	A surgery suited for cases where the cheekbones protrude forward or sideways, giving the facial line a rugged appearance.
Genioplasty (Chin Reshaping)	A surgery suited for cases where the size or length of the lower jaw makes the chin appear long, or where the chin is small. Not only does it slim and shorten the chin tip, but it also adjusts the front-to-back position to achieve an ideal balance.

• Downtime:
  Swelling and bruising are most noticeable for 2–3 days after surgery, but gradually subside over about 2 weeks until you are able to appear in public. Full recovery takes approximately 3 months.
• Risks/Side effects:
  Possible complications include swelling, asymmetry, bruising, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, foreign body reaction, pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, hair loss, tissue necrosis, visual impairment, facial nerve disorders, allergic reactions, and shock reactions.

Learn more about small face and contour reshaping by osteotomy

【Contour 4 Points】Small Face & Contour Reshaping by Jaw, Cheek, and Chin Osteotomy

Contour 4 Points is a surgery combining Contour 3 Points with cheekbone setback.

By making multiple osteotomy cuts in the cheekbone and moving the entire bone inward and backward (setback), this procedure improves cheek protrusion and width, and is expected to deliver a smooth small face effect.

• Downtime:
  Swelling and bruising are most noticeable for 2–3 days after surgery, but gradually subside over about 2 weeks until you are able to appear in public. Full recovery takes approximately 3 months.
• Risks/Side effects:
  Possible complications include swelling, asymmetry, bruising, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, foreign body reaction, pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, hair loss, tissue necrosis, visual impairment, facial nerve disorders, allergic reactions, and shock reactions.

Learn more about "Cheekbone Setback"

【Double Jaw Surgery】Le Fort I Osteotomy + Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO)

Double jaw surgery is a surgery combining "Le Fort I Osteotomy," which addresses the upper jaw, with "Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO)," which addresses the lower jaw, and is expected to dramatically change facial proportions.

• Downtime:
  Swelling and bruising are most noticeable for 2–3 days after surgery, but gradually subside over about 1 month until you are able to appear in public. Full recovery takes approximately 6 months.
• Risks/Side effects:
  Possible complications include swelling, asymmetry, bruising, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, foreign body reaction, pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, hair loss, tissue necrosis, visual impairment, facial nerve disorders, allergic reactions, and shock reactions.

Learn more about "Le Fort I Osteotomy + Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO)"

Other Facial Contouring Procedures at KAI CLINIC TOKYO

Next, we introduce facial contouring procedures that approach areas other than the bone structure.

Sub-Chin Muscle Tightening (Pelican Surgery)

Sub-chin muscle tightening, often called "Pelican Surgery," is a surgery that addresses not only the fat but also muscle sagging under the chin to sharply define the facial line.

• Downtime：
  Swelling and bruising are most noticeable for 2–3 days after surgery, gradually subsiding within 1–2 weeks, and fully settling in about 3 months.
• Risks/Side effects：
  Swelling, redness, pain, bruising, edema, hematoma, tightness, infection, etc.

Learn more about chin muscle binding (Pelican surgery)

Buccal Fat Removal

By removing buccal fat (the fatty tissue located deep in the cheeks), you can achieve a sharp, toned facial contour.

Once removed, it does not recur semi-permanently. Because the procedure is performed through the inside of the mouth, it leaves no visible scarring and is difficult for others to notice.

• Downtime：
  A few days to about 1 week (※ bruising may occur in rare cases)
• Risks/Side effects：
  Swelling, bruising, puffiness, a sunken feeling in the cheeks (if over-removed), discomfort inside the mouth, temporary asymmetry of the cheeks

Learn more about Buccal Fat Removal

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical slimming procedure in which the skin is made with a small incision and a thin tube (cannula) a few millimeters in diameter is inserted under the skin to suction out fat.

This procedure is often recommended for those who want to slim down only specific areas, such as the cheeks or under the chin.

• Downtime：Swelling and bruising are most noticeable for 2–3 days after surgery, gradually subsiding within 1–2 weeks, with final results appearing in about 3 months.
• Risks/Side effects：
  Swelling, puffiness, redness, bruising, infection, pain, contracture, unevenness, etc.

Learn more about Liposuction

KAI CLINIC TOKYO Non-surgical Facial Contouring

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, we also offer non-surgical facial contouring that requires no scalpel.

However, non-surgical facial contouring gradually reverts over time, so ongoing treatments are necessary.

Botox Injection

Botox injection is a treatment in which Botulinum toxin type A is injected into specific muscles to temporarily block nerve-to-muscle signal transmission, thereby suppressing muscle movement.

It can be expected to relax the platysma muscle (a thin muscle covering the front of the neck from the lower jaw to the collarbone and chest), tighten the lower face, and help prevent sagging.

• Downtime：
  Swelling and redness may occur but generally settle within 2–3 days
• Risks/Side effects：
  Bruising, mild swelling and tenderness, antibody formation from long-term continuous use, asymmetry or stiffness of facial expressions (improvable with adjustment)

Learn more about Botox Injection

Hyaluronic Acid

By directly injecting hyaluronic acid filler into areas of concern, it is possible to refine your facial contours.

Since hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the body, it blends well with the skin and can be expected to provide a natural finish with immediate results.

• Downtime：
  Swelling and redness may occur but generally settle within 2–3 days
• Risks/Side effects：
  Swelling, bruising. Rarely, circulatory disturbance (intravascular injection), infection, or allergic reaction

Learn more about Hyaluronic Acid

Thread Lift

Absorbable threads with special cogs (barbs) are inserted under the skin to physically lift sagging skin and refine the facial line and contour.

The stimulation from the cogs promotes collagen production, so you can expect not only improved facial contours but also skin quality enhancement.

• Downtime：
  Mild swelling and tightness for a few days to about 1 week
• Risks/Side effects：
  Swelling, redness, bruising, pain, pulling sensation, unevenness (improves over time)

Learn more about Thread Lift

Ultrasound/Radiofrequency Device Treatments (InMode Lift, HIFU, Volnewma, Morpheus, etc.)

Using radiofrequency energy, this is a minimally invasive treatment that tightens the skin and fascia while targeting fat.

While downtime is relatively minimal, the duration of results varies from person to person.

• Downtime：
  Redness, mild swelling, and a sensation of warmth may occur immediately after the procedure, but these typically resolve naturally within a few hours to one day. Those with sensitive skin may experience mild stinging or tenderness for a few days, which will gradually subside.
• Risks and side effects：
  Mild bruising or pigmentation may rarely occur, but these are mostly temporary reactions.

Learn more about InMode Lift Learn more about Ultracel Zi (HIFU) Learn more about Volunia Learn more about Morpheus8

【By Face Type】How to Choose Facial Contouring Treatment

Facial contouring treatment differs not only based on how much change you desire, but also on the current condition of your face.

Here we introduce key points for choosing facial contouring treatment based on your face type.

【Angular / Wide Face Type】Those with Prominent Cheekbones

When the cause is a congenital bone structure issue or age-related fat loss, we recommend the following treatments.

【Main Treatments】

• If caused by bone structure：Cheekbone reduction surgery
• If caused by fat loss：Hyaluronic acid injection・Fat injection

【Home Base / Square Face Type】Those with a Wide Jaw

When the cause is a wide bone structure or muscle development due to teeth clenching, we recommend the following two treatments.

【Main Treatments】

• If caused by wide bone structure：Mandibular angle reduction surgery (jaw shaving)
• If caused by muscle development from teeth clenching：Botox injection

【Long / Elongated Face Type】Those with a Long Midface or Philtrum

When the cause is the length of the upper jaw bone or age-related skin sagging, the following two treatments are available as options.

【Main Treatments】

• If caused by upper jaw bone length：Le Fort I osteotomy + Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO)
• If caused by age-related skin sagging：Incisional face lift・Lip lift (philtrum shortening)・Hyaluronic acid injection・Fat injection

【Sagging / Double Chin Type】Those with a Blurred Facial Line

When subcutaneous fat accumulation or age-related muscle loosening and skin sagging causes a blurred facial line, we recommend the following treatments based on your preferences.

【Main Treatments】

• To tighten both fat and muscle simultaneously：Submental muscle ligation (pelican surgery)
• To physically reduce fat：Submental muscle ligation (pelican surgery)・Liposuction
• For easy lifting and tightening：Thread lift、InMode Lift
• To suppress platysma muscle pull-down：Botox injection

At the time of article publication, set internal links to articles on "large face" and "ways to achieve a small face"

Facial Contouring Cases at KAI CLINIC TOKYO

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, we have helped many patients who were concerned about their facial contours find solutions to their concerns.

Here we introduce some cases of patients who received facial contouring treatment at our clinic.

Full Face

【Surgeon】
Mitsunori Harima
Tatsuya Uekihara
【Treatment Details】
Bimaxillary surgery: ¥2,970,000 / Facial contouring 3-point: ¥2,530,000 / Philtrum reduction: ¥440,000 / Nose revision (nasal tip plasty: ¥330,000, nasal bone osteotomy: ¥550,000, auricular cartilage harvest (unilateral): ¥165,000) / Full-incision double eyelid surgery: ¥594,000
【Risks & Side Effects】
Swelling, asymmetry, bruising, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, bone displacement, intraoral contracture, facial nerve palsy, sagging, allergic reactions, etc.

View full-face surgery cases in detail

Facial Contouring 3-Point

【Surgeon】
Mitsunori Harima
【Treatment Details】
Facial contouring 3-point: ¥2,530,000
【Risks & Side Effects】
Swelling, asymmetry, bruising, infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation, foreign body reaction, pain, numbness, sensory abnormalities, hair loss, tissue necrosis, vision impairment, facial nerve damage, allergic reactions, shock reactions, etc.

View facial contouring 3-point cases in detail

How to Choose a Clinic to Avoid Failure with Facial Contouring Surgery

Facial contouring surgery encompasses a variety of procedures, but particularly those involving incisions such as osteotomies cannot always be reversed after the operation, making the choice of clinic extremely important.

Keep the following points in mind to choose a clinic where you won't fail or regret your facial contouring surgery.

• Does the clinic offer suggestions tailored to your specific concerns?：
  Choose a doctor who can explain why a particular approach is best for your face type and give you a convincing reason.
• Do the before-and-after photos look natural?：
  Clinics that show cases from multiple angles and demonstrate natural results in motion tend to be more trustworthy.
• Does the clinic openly explain the downsides?：
  A doctor who thoroughly explains risks and negative aspects and works with you to find solutions gives you peace of mind.

If You Are Considering Facial Contouring Surgery, Please Consult KAI CLINIC TOKYO

Facial contouring surgery is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. It is important to choose the appropriate procedure after considering not only your ideal facial line but also your current facial condition and the balance of each feature.

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, we first listen to your wishes during a consultation while assessing the condition of your face, and then propose the most suitable treatment for each individual patient.

Furthermore, our care does not end with surgery — we provide thorough post-operative aftercare and have set up a system where you can consult us at any time through our official LINE account.

If you are looking to refine a facial contour that bothers you and pursue your ideal beauty, please feel free to consult our clinic.

Summary

"Facial contouring surgery" can dramatically change the impression of your facial line.

However, depending on the procedure, some treatments cannot be reversed once performed, so it is necessary to choose a clinic with great care.

At KAI CLINIC TOKYO, we have an extensive track record in facial contouring surgery.

Our specialist doctors, equipped with advanced skills backed by proven results and a wealth of knowledge, will carefully listen to your concerns and propose treatments to help each patient achieve the beauty they desire.

"I want to change my facial contour, but I don't know which method is right for me."
"I'm worried about whether I'll get the results I'm hoping for."

If you have any such concerns or anxieties, please feel free to share them with us at our clinic's consultation first.

Our entire staff is fully committed to supporting everyone who pursues beauty.