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2026.02.05

Characteristics of Japanese people's contours|How to balance the face to make it look smaller

藤橋 政尭
Supervising Physician
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Japanese Society of Plastic Surgery Masataka Fujihashi

As a plastic surgeon certified by the Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I have been involved in many cases of trauma, reconstruction, and congenital diseases, and have cultivated precise techniques and a deep understanding of anatomy. He entered the field of cosmetic surgery out of a desire to bring the power of cosmetics to his patients, as a change in one's appearance can also make one's mind more positive. Her specialties include general treatment of the eye area, injections, and sagging skin. I provide treatments that focus on beauty with the medical stance of "sincerely addressing the ideals of the patient.

Hello!

Designing natural beauty with trust.

I am Masataka Fujihashi, a board-certified plastic surgeon.

 

East Asians, including the Japanese, have a distinctive skeletal and facial volume balance compared to Westerners, which greatly affects the "impression of the contour" of their faces.

In general, the contour of the face is not merely the skeletal structure, but also subcutaneous fat and volume changes due to aging, coupled with sagging skin, determine the overall impression.

Creating youthful-looking contours requires a proper understanding of these elements and a balance-based approach.

 

 

  Contour characteristics common to the Japanese

East Asians are more likely than Westerners toThe relative prominence of the horizontal width of the cheekbones and gills makes the face appear larger horizontally.It is believed that there is a tendency

Therefore,Moss under the cheekbones.It looks like aSagging tends to gather at the bottom.They tend to have "gourd-shaped" contours.

With aging, subcutaneous fat and soft tissues move downward under the influence of gravity, causing the volume to concentrate in the lower face and making the face appear larger.

 

 

 

What is the contour that makes the face look younger and smaller?

The contours of the face look smaller and younger,No moss from cheekbones to midface, with natural volume and no excess volume in the lower faceis.

This balance is often described as egg-shaped or heart-shaped, and is characterized by an upward center of gravity of the face and a lighter facial line.

Conversely, a large amount of fat and sagging in the lower face makes the face appear larger and heavier.

On the other hand, too little fat tends to make the cheeks look hollow, unhealthy, and aged, while too much fat gives a heavy contour.

In other words, the contour is a "too much or too little" structure that does not look beautiful.

 

 

Five elements that shape the outline

It is not just the amount of fat that determines the appearance of the contour.

Skeletal, subcutaneous fat, sagging skin, muscle toneAndDeep tissue volumes such as parotid glandis also a major factor.

If treatment is performed without determining which element is the main cause, it can lead to an imbalance and give the impression of aging.

 

 

Actual age-related changes

Until the 20s, the size and impression of the face tends to be primarily due to the comparative amount of subcutaneous fat, and sagging skin is still difficult to see.

HoweverAfter one's thirties, the elasticity of the skin decreases, the volume of the dermis and fat layer decreases, and gravity causes volume to accumulate in the lower face

For this reason, the appearance of contouring varies greatly with age, even with the same amount of fat. Because aging progresses with bone remodeling and fat redistribution, a different approach may be needed to maintain the balance of youth.

 

 

To make the contours of the body beautiful

In small face treatment, it is not enough to reduce the volume of everything for the time being, but it is important to determine the cause of the problem.

If fat is the cause, liposuction or removal is necessary; if sagging skin is the main cause, a lift procedure is necessary; if the skeletal structure is the main cause, osteotomy or skeletal adjustment is necessary.

By supplementing the volume as needed, a more three-dimensional and natural contour is achieved.

In addition to simply “shaving or removing”, it is also effective to replenish lost volume to create a youthful line.

Hyaluronic acid and fat injections are widely used as adjuncts to smooth facial depressions and create a three-dimensional appearance.

 

 

■ Summary

The beauty of the contour is determined by the balance of the skeleton, fat, skin, muscles, and deep tissue.

In order to achieve a smaller face, it is important to first accurately understand the “causes” that shape your contours.

By taking an approach that is appropriate to the cause, natural changes can be achieved without strain.

 

 

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【Profile】

Masataka Fujihashi, MD, Plastic Surgeon

Leveraging expertise as a board-certified plastic surgeon, I offer comprehensive facial cosmetic procedures including eyelid and nose surgery, facial liposuction, thread lifts, and hyaluronic acid injections. From incisional surgeries and revision procedures requiring delicate design to minimally invasive injections and lifts with minimal downtime, I strive to provide treatments tailored to each patient's ideal outcome.

We are dedicated to achieving natural results and minimizing downtime, pursuing medical care that leaves you feeling confident in your choice through sincere consultations.

Designing natural beauty with trust.

We cherish that sentiment and apply it to our daily practice.

 

Read other blog posts

https://biancaclinic.jp/author_cat/fujihashi/

 

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【Career】

March 2015: Graduated from the School of Medicine, Showa University

April 2015 Showa University Yokohama Northern Hospital Initial Clinical Training

April 2017 Showa University Hospital Department of Plastic Surgery

October 2017 Maebashi Red Cross Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery

April 2019 Nishio Municipal Hospital Plastic Surgery Department

April 2020 Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital Plastic Surgery Department

November 2020 Ota Nishinouchi Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery

July 2022 Tokyo Rosai Hospital Plastic Surgery / Cosmetic Surgery  Department Head

July 2022: R.O.clinic (Part-time), Kusano Taro Clinic (Part-time)

April 2024 Deputy Director, Ginza TA Clinic

November 2025 BIANCA CLINIC

 

【Professional Affiliations and Qualifications】

Japanese Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (JSAPS)

Member of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Surgery (JSAS)

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