Researchers Have Determined the Dimensions for the Most Attractive Female Lips
Yes, there is such a thing as having a perfect pout.
According to a new study published online by JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, medical investigators have concluded the precise measurements for a woman’s ideal lip size.
The authors’ objective was to obtain the most desirable lip proportions for white females in order to establish guidelines for lip augmentation, a cosmetic procedure that adds volume to the lips through surgery or injections.
In the three-phase study, more than 570 participants were shown digital images of white women between the ages of 18 and 25, which morphed into various lip surface areas for each face. The participants were then asked to rank the manipulated faces by attractiveness.
Once the data was collected and the calculations were tallied, the researchers discovered that the lips deemed most beautiful had a 53.5 percent increase in surface area from the original image, with a 1:2 ratio of upper to lower lip that made up about 10 percent of the lower third of the face.
“We advocate preservation of the natural ratio or achieving a 1:2 ratio in lip augmentation procedures while avoiding the overfilled upper lip look frequently seen among celebrities,” stated the authors in the conclusion of the study.
“Yes, generally I agree with these findings, though it does not take into account the subtleties and artistry of creating well-balanced and beautiful lips,” Stafford R. Broumand, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon at 740 Park Plastic Surgery in New York City, tells Yahoo Beauty. “In addition, there are specific requests for subtle changes to the lip which do not fit into a ‘standard ratio.’”
Broumand explains that women seek plumper lips for a multitude of reasons, but it mostly comes down to defying their true age. “Fuller and softer lips are more youthful because as we age our lips lose volume and the corners of the lips start to turn downward,” he says.
However, it’s not just the females who may lose volume. “The downturn of the corner of the lips affects men as well,” he notes.
While there is no one-size-fits-all procedure to achieve the perfect pout, Broumand states that he tailors each lip augmentation for every patient.
“What I try to do is enhance the lip roll fullness of the upper and lower lips, and as well as the volume of the pink part of the lip called the vermilion,” he says. “In addition, strategically placing filler at the corners of the mouth help give a slightly upturned natural lip contour, similar to a Mona Lisa smile.”
Broumand’s advice for anyone considering a lip-enhancement procedure: “Have a good understanding and discussion with a board-certified doctor before injecting filler into the lips.”
Also, have reasonable expectations. “More is not better,” concludes Broumand. “Rather, better is better.”
Read More:
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