Does cheekbone reduction leave scars?

Incisions are commonly placed inside the mouth and in a small area near the sideburn or in front of the ear, so visible scarring is usually minimal.

Can cheekbone reduction cause sagging cheeks?

Cheek soft tissue can sag after the bone is moved inward, particularly with age or lax skin. Ask your surgeon how fixation and technique are planned to reduce this risk.

How long is recovery after zygoma reduction?

Most patients return to daily life within two to four weeks, while full healing and final results take around three to six months.

Patient Guide

Cheekbone (Zygoma) Reduction in Korea: A Patient Guide

✓ Patient guide · Updated October 2026

Cheekbone reduction, or zygoma reduction, narrows prominent cheekbones to soften a wide mid-face. It is one of the core facial contouring procedures performed in Seoul, often alongside jaw and chin surgery. This guide covers how it works, recovery and the questions worth asking before you book.

What is reduced

The cheekbone has two parts that affect facial width: the zygomatic body at the front of the cheek and the zygomatic arch that extends towards the ear. Depending on which part is prominent, surgery may reduce the front of the cheek, the side width, or both. A CT scan is used to assess the bone and plan the cuts.

How the surgery is done

A common approach uses an incision inside the mouth to reach the zygomatic body and a small incision near the sideburn or in front of the ear to reach the arch. The bone is cut, moved inward and fixed in its new position, often with small plates and screws. The operation is performed under general anaesthesia, and an overnight hospital stay is common.

Recovery timeline

First days: swelling and tightness peak around days two to three; a compression garment is usually worn.
First weeks: soft foods and careful mouth hygiene while the inner incisions heal; avoid pressure on the cheeks.
Weeks 2–4: most patients return to daily life as swelling reduces.
Months 3–6: remaining swelling resolves and the bone heals fully in its new position.

Risks to discuss

A specific concern with cheekbone reduction is sagging of the cheek soft tissue after the bone is moved, which is more likely with age and with lax skin. Other risks include asymmetry, incomplete bone healing at the arch, temporary numbness of the cheek or upper lip, bleeding and infection. Ask how the surgeon fixes the bone and what steps are taken to reduce cheek sagging.

Combining with jaw and chin surgery

Because face width is judged as a whole, cheekbone reduction is often planned together with square jaw reduction and chin reshaping, sometimes described as a face contouring "three-set". Combining procedures means a longer operation and recovery, so discuss whether all steps are needed for your face.

Planning your trip

Plan for around 10 to 14 days in Seoul for check-ups and clearance to fly, and allow extra time if cheekbone reduction is combined with other contouring surgery.

Questions to ask a clinic

Is the width coming from the front of my cheekbone, the arch, or both?
How is the bone fixed, and how do you reduce the risk of cheek sagging?
Would my result look natural without jaw or chin surgery as well?
What does the quote include, and how is aftercare handled after I fly home?

This article is general information for international patients, not medical advice. Consult a licensed clinic for diagnosis and treatment suitable to you.