A study of lip attractiveness conducted in Lebanon found that when upper lip height exceeds 30% of the hemi-lip width (half the total lip width), faces are generally perceived as unaesthetic and unattractive. The most preferred ratio for upper lip height was between 20% and 25% of the hemi-width. The research was published in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open.
Lip fullness is one of the features that influences how people perceive youth, health, and sexual attractiveness in women. Across many cultures, fuller lips are seen as a desirable trait and are frequently highlighted in media and advertising. From an evolutionary perspective, full lips may signal fertility and reproductive fitness. But while moderate fullness tends to be rated as attractive, lips that are either too thin or overly augmented are often viewed as less appealing.
Lip augmentation procedures, especially the use of soft tissue fillers, have become increasingly popular among women seeking to enhance their appearance. These treatments are often shaped by shifting beauty trends, which can vary depending on age, ethnicity, and media exposure. At the same time, perceptions of lip attractiveness are influenced by how lip volume interacts with other facial features.
Lead author Bishara S. Atiyeh and colleagues aimed to identify the most aesthetically preferred lip characteristics by focusing on two specific measurements: the upper-to-lower lip height ratio and the upper lip height in proportion to the hemi-lip width (the width of the lip divided in half). This second measure served as an estimate of ideal lip volume.
To test these preferences, the researchers used artificial intelligence to generate a series of images of a White female face with digitally modified lips. In one set of images, the overall fullness of the lips varied while the upper-to-lower lip ratio was fixed at the golden ratio (approximately 0.618:1). In a second set, both the fullness and the ratio between upper and lower lips varied. Although the study was initially designed as an online survey, the researchers found limited online engagement and instead collected responses in person.
A total of 200 adults participated in the survey. Of these, 88 were men, and 52% were under the age of 25. Nearly all participants (99%) had completed university education. A majority (57%) were from medical fields—including medical students, interns, and plastic surgery residents—and most participants lived in the Middle East. Over 60% reported viewing celebrity photos or aesthetic procedures on social media either frequently or very frequently.
When evaluating the first set of images, participants consistently rated lips with upper lip height exceeding 30% of hemi-lip width as unattractive. The most favored proportions were those where upper lip height was 20% to 25% of the hemi-lip width. In the second image set, which varied the upper-to-lower lip ratio, participants most preferred lips with a ratio between 0.618:1 (the golden ratio) and 1:1. Faces with upper lips larger than lower lips (U > L) were generally rated less attractive, especially when combined with excessive fullness.
The study also found some gender differences. While both men and women preferred moderate fullness and balanced proportions, men were slightly more likely to favor fuller lips than women. Interestingly, participants who frequently used social media did not have substantially different preferences from those who used it rarely. Both groups tended to rate overinflated lips as unattractive, suggesting that social media alone does not fully explain the popularity of exaggerated lip augmentation.
The study authors discuss this in the context of aesthetic surgery interventions aimed at changing lip fullness and conclude: “Though social media have an influence on perception of beauty, data provided by the survey confirm that golden standards of aesthetics remain constant and that exaggerated requests of some patients may not be attributed solely to social media influence but probably to social media in combination with additional personal predisposing factors. Patients must be made aware that how they are perceived by others is essential for them to be satisfied with their appearance.”
The study contributes to the scientific knowledge about factors that determine attractiveness perceptions of female lips. However, it should be noted that the study used only a single female face with different lip sizes and shapes. Additionally, the vast majority of study participants were from the Middle East. Studies utilizing faces with different features and on other cultural groups might not yield identical results.
The paper, “Lip Augmentation with Soft Tissue Fillers: Social Media, Perceptual Adaptation, and Shifting Beauty Trends beyond Golden Standard Ideals,” was authored by Bishara S. Atiyeh, Paul T. Beaineh, Christopher R. A. Hakim, Kareem W. Makkawi, Natasha T. Habr, Jana H. Zeineddine, Saif E. Emsieh, Oussama B. Issa, Anika G. Gnaedinger, and Amir E. Ibrahim.
