ABSTRACT
Lips have different functions in the human face. The first is to function as a sphincter. This is primarily accomplished by the orbicularis oris musculature. The second function of the lips is related to facial expression. Speech, smiling, grimacing, and kissing are important cultural communicative means. The third function of the lips is in sexual attraction. When the lips are full and well-defined they create a feeling of youth, health, and sexuality. Throughout the years and in various cultures, in-
proportion projecting feminine lips have been considered sexually attractive. It has been shown that while talking to a person, the major focus of our attention is located between the eyes and the mouth. For these reasons, for years models and actresses have attempted to enhance their lips. Ideally, the human face is divided into three equal segments. The lips comprise the key esthetic feature of the lower third of the face and should be in balance with the rest of the face. There are no universal ideas about the esthetics of the
lips since they change according to culture, time, and individual preference.1 Bisson and Grobbelaar have attempted to define the characteristics of the ideal lips, by comparing lip features of regular women to those of models.2 They found that models had larger lips. The lower facial triangle is smaller than usual, affecting the distance between the upper lip and the nose, and between the lower lip and the chin. Lip angles are larger in models and the total lip area is significantly bigger.
