The lower face is often the first place to show aging or structural imbalance. Whether your concern is a square jaw, sagging cheeks, jowls, or loss of definition, two popular solutions in Korea often come up: V-line contouring and facelift surgery.

Although both procedures enhance the lower face, they target completely different issues. Understanding the difference is the key to choosing the right treatment — or, in some cases, combining both for the best result.

Here’s a clear guide to help you determine whether V-line contouring or a facelift is right for you.

What Is V-Line Contouring?

V-line contouring is a surgical procedure focused on reshaping the jawbone and chin to create a slimmer, sharper, and more delicate V-shaped face. It’s popular among younger patients and those with naturally wide or angular jawlines.

What V-Line Contouring Changes

• Jawbone width
• Chin shape and projection
• Lower facial width
• Facial harmony and proportions

Best For

• Square or wide jawlines
• Long or overly broad chin
• Masculine jawline seeking softer contour
• Bone structure concerns rather than skin sagging

Not Ideal For

• Sagging skin
• Jowls
• Midface aging

V-line procedures reshape bone, not soft tissue.

What Is a Facelift?

A facelift targets aging by tightening deeper tissues and lifting sagging skin and muscles. It improves the lower face, jawline, and sometimes the midface.

What a Facelift Improves

• Jowls
• Drooping cheeks
• Sagging jawline
• Nasolabial folds
• Loose skin
• Neck aging (when combined with a neck lift)

Best For

• Aging-related sagging
• Loss of elasticity
• Soft tissue descent

Not Ideal For

• Structural bone width issues
• Chin projection problems
• Jawbone asymmetry

A facelift lifts soft tissue — it does not change bone shape.

V-Line Contouring vs Facelift: Key Differences

1. Purpose

• V-Line: Slims and reshapes bone structure.
• Facelift: Lifts sagging tissues and restores youthful contour.

2. Age Group

• V-Line: Typically 20s–40s.
• Facelift: Typically 40s–70s.

3. What It Fixes

• V-Line: Wide jaw, bulky mandible, long or square chin.
• Facelift: Jowls, wrinkles, sagging skin, drooping cheeks.

4. Longevity

• V-Line: Permanent bone reshaping.
• Facelift: 10–15+ years depending on technique.

5. Aesthetic Goal

• V-Line: Slimmer, more contoured lower face.
• Facelift: More youthful, lifted appearance.

Which One Do You Need?

Choose V-Line Contouring If You Have:

• A naturally wide or squared jaw
• Heavy or wide mandible bones
• Chin that is too long, wide, or asymmetric
• Desire for a more V-shaped or heart-shaped face
• No major sagging yet

This is a structural reshaping procedure suitable for younger patients or anyone seeking permanent alteration of jawline width.

Choose a Facelift If You Have:

• Sagging cheeks
• Jowls forming along the jawline
• Drooping lower face
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Deep folds or wrinkles

A facelift lifts and tightens — perfect for aging concerns.

When You May Need Both

Some patients benefit from V-line + facelift because:

• Bone width makes the lower face appear heavy
• Sagging skin worsens the width
• Aging changes occur on top of structural imbalance

Combination surgery can create:

• A slimmer lower face shape
• A tight, youthful jawline
• Restored facial balance
• Long-lasting results

Many Korean clinics perform these procedures together for dramatic, harmonious transformation.

Recovery Comparison

V-Line Contouring

• Swelling lasts 1–3 months
• Numbness near jaw area is common
• Results refine over 6 months

Facelift

• Most swelling resolves in 2–4 weeks
• Bruising improves in 1–2 weeks
• Results refine over 3–6 months

Both require downtime but differ in intensity and focus.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between V-line contouring and a facelift depends entirely on your concern:

• Bone structure problems? Choose V-line.
• Aging and sagging? Choose a facelift.
• Both wide bone + sagging? Consider a combination.

Korean surgeons are experienced in both procedures, offering natural, balanced results tailored to your facial type.