Does Your Philtrum Get Longer With Age? Males genetically have a longer philtrum than females. For some men, their philtrum can drop by up to 5mm, whereas a female's philtrum may lengthen by around 3.5mm. With age, it continues to lengthen by an average of 0.5 mm every ten years.
A long philtrum, thin upper lip, cleft lip, cleft palate, and small jaw are other significant findings associated with abnormal fetal development sometimes caused by chromosome abnormalities, alcohol, or other fetal toxins.
The philtrum flattens and the upper lip tends to roll under and in some cases, completely disappear. As we age, we can experience bone loss and muscle atrophy, and increased space between the nostrils and the upper lip—all adding to a complete change of shape in the mouth and lips.
As we age, the skin between the nose and the red part of the upper lip, the vermillion, lengthens. This results in the upper lip actually getting longer and thinner, turning downward and thus inward. Also, as the lip lengthens and becomes thinner, fine “whistle or pucker” lines begin to appear.
Answer: Addressing philtrum projection
There are two structural reasons why you may be having this - one is soft tissue, the other is skeletal. The most common is usually skeletal, meaning how the teeth sit (this includes the maxilla and dental tooth complex).
The space between the upper lip and nose is called the philtrum. The ideal length of the philtrum is roughly a half-inch (11-13 millimeters) for women and a couple millimeters longer for men. At that length, when your lips are relaxed, the tips of your teeth should be visible.
Men of Chinese descent had the largest total lip volume. Regarding upper lip (measured from the midline of the upper lip vermilion border) to lower lip height ratio, Chinese women were found to have a mean ratio of 1:1.25 when measured both by caliper and surface distance.
Lips can become swollen if fluid builds up in the skin tissue or if there is underlying inflammation. This causes them to appear larger than usual. Swollen lips have a range of causes, which vary from normal to potentially dangerous.
As we age, the supporting collagen, fat pads, and muscles in and around the lip area steadily diminish, resulting in thinner lips that are more visibly lined (2). Simultaneously, the redistribution of soft tissue can result in a flatter lip look (3).
Answer: Botox lip flip
Botox is a great option to help flip the upper lip up. To achieve this effect, Botox is injected just above the vermilion border in about 2-3 areas per side of the upper lip. It will not shorten the philtrum, but with the lip flip effect, it will make it look like the philtrum is shorter.
Conclusion: Using exercise and smoothing techniques, CFF has a 7-step routine that will help to not only shorten the philtrum and give it a beautiful shape, it will also give you more definition to your lips, while smoothing the lip lines around the lips at the same time.
Answer: Rhinoplasty does not elongate the philtrum or upper lip. People often comment that their upper lip got longer after rhinoplasty. THis rarely occurs. What append is when you have a drooping nasal tip or long columella (the section between your nostrils) are lifted, you see more of the upper lip.
Answer: Reducing the length of your philtrum
However, It will do nothing for your philtrum length and in the long run it will only make it longer (think of adding fluid to a sponge and holding it up...it will only stretch the sponge over time). The best way to reduce your philtrum length is through a lip lift.
The best way to address this concern is with a surgical lip lift. The procedure uses an incision under the base of the nose to reduce the philtrum and raise the upper lip to improve the proportion of the lower face. This procedure can be done using local anesthetic and recovery is typically just a few days.
The philtrum and nose together occupy the central face zone; a change of length of one will usually be accompanied by a compensatory, opposite change in the length of the other. Therefore a long philtrum often accompanies a Short nose, but this is not always the case and should be assessed and coded separately.
The upper lip should be slightly larger than the lower lip with a gentle curve that peaks at what's called cupid's bow. The hinge of the upper lip comes in the form of the central philtrum that separates the two sides. Your upper teeth should also overlap the lower teeth by one millimeter.
Lip reduction surgery
During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in a horizontal line in the pink inner portion of your lip. This minimizes scarring. The surgeon then removes excess fat and tissues from the lip to reduce its overall volume.
The change in size of your lips is most likely associated with your weight gain. If the fat was transferred from your abdomen your lips can enlarge as your abdomen enlarges with weight gain. Other factors can be the use of hormone replacement therapy or oral birth control which may lead to weight gain.
There was no significant difference between men and women, with a total of 75% preferring philtral contours, and a greater number of women (82%) finding the philtrum more attractive in the young face; only 68% considered philtral contours as more attractive in the aged portrait.
Studies have also shown that Caucasian women were found to have thinner lips than Asians, with the smallest upper lip height and volume.
Full Lips
Full lips are the most common of shapes and are typically defined by lips that are plump all-around on both the top and bottom, with no gap between.
What is a deep/long philtrum? The philtrum is the groove found between the nose and the upper lip. A deep or long philtrum is one that is more depressed or longer than normal. The average philtrum length may vary between males and females, with an average length of between 11 and 15 mm.
Cosmetic surgery performed on and around the philtrum can target both the philtrum length and the shape of the philtrum. Certain types of upper lip lift surgery can reduce the length of the philtrum.
A lip flip is where Botox or another Botulinum toxin is injected into the top lip. This temporarily flips up the cupid's bow and shortens the philtrum column (around 1mm). A surgical lip lift is a permanent surgery to do the same thing.