When undergoing lip augmentation, shape is as important as size

April 20, 2012

A good rule of lip is that your lower lip should be one and a half times the size of your upper lip.
A good rule of lip is that your lower lip should be one and a half times the size of your upper lip.

If you’ve been following the news lately, you already know the meaning of “trout pout.” Inspired by the irresistible lips of Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson, celebs and wannabes have been asking plastic surgeons to duplicate this look. When lip augmentation results in overdone lip plumping and a pursed appearance, you can take on a fishy or trout-like appearance.

Last week the Today show did a segment on trout pout, reporting that this phenomenon is getting a lot of current attention since Emmanuelle Beart, once considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, told French newspaper Le Monde “I had my mouth done at 27. It was botched.” Twenty years later, Beart is “telling the world that she regrets what she did and how it made her feel.”

A Santa Monica plastic surgeon explains that when lips go bigger, they start to lose shape. He says trout pout results from the union of a patient with bad taste and a plastic surgeon with bad taste, explaining that it’s unfortunate when they find each other.

A Detroit plastic surgeon tells Today Health that when lips thin out with age stars seek lip plumping via injectables as a way of looking younger. When the rules of proper lip proportion are not adhered to an overly full lip starts to look “fishy.” According to him, here is the rule of lip: “The lower lip should be one and a half times the size of the upper lip.” When patients demand a bigger upper lip and doctors give in, you get trout pout. He concedes that in L.A., people may even be happy with this look.

If you’re considering lip enhancement or any other injectable or surgical procedure, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends that you ask the surgeon about his or her experience with the procedure you are considering. A board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist who is experienced in performing a procedure will know how to augment without disfiguring. You can expect a qualified practitioner to “put the brakes on,” protecting you from unattractive results if your goals for lip or breast enhancement are too ambitious.


The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

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About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

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