The Concept of Ideal Caucasian Male Lips: An Anthropometric Analysis of the Lower Third of the Face.

Abstract

The lips play a significant role in determining the aesthetic perception of a human face. However, there are little data on the perioral region morphometry of attractive males. This study investigates the morphology of the lower third of the face, including the lips and jawline, of attractive young Caucasian males. A complex semi-automatic photogrammetric analysis of faces of male photo models (n = 300) of the Caucasian race, aged 18 to 39 years, was performed. Linear, angular, and surface area parameters were evaluated. In addition, an Averaged Body Contours image was created, providing the graphical summarization of facial size and shapes of all analyzed individuals. The height of the lower third of the face equaled 0.35 ± 0.03 of the total facial height. The average lip width was 50.98 ± 3.74 mm. The upper vermilion height was significantly lower than the lower vermilion height (5.9 ± 1.62 vs 11.15 ± 1.88 mm, P < 0.01). The lip obliquity angle was found to be 1.01° ± 0.73°. The area surface of the lower lip vermilion was considerably larger than the vermilion of the upper lip (P < 0.01). The vast amount of morphometric data, including the novel presentation method as an Averaged Body Contours image, on the attractive male's lower third of the face may provide the surgeons with practical guidelines for lip surgical and nonsurgical rejuvenation procedures. It may also support the perioral region reconstruction and sex reassignment surgery in achieving satisfactory results.