Distortions of lip size bias perceived facial attractiveness.

Summary

By manipulating lip size and using visual adaptation paradigms, the authors show that attractiveness judgments are biased toward the currently adapted lip size, with gender-contingent preferences (women preferring expanded lips in female faces; men preferring contracted lips in male faces). Media exposure to enlarged lips may normalize larger lip sizes, informing counseling about filler expectations and risks of dysmorphia.

Key Findings

• Local manipulation of lip size alters perceived attractiveness; women preferred expanded lips in female faces, men preferred contracted lips in male faces.
• Visual adaptation shifts peak attractiveness toward the adapted lip size (e.g., exposure to expanded lips increases preference for larger lips).
• Findings suggest exposure can normalize larger lips and contribute to lip dysmorphia in real-world contexts.

Clinical Implications

Use counseling that addresses media-driven adaptation effects and gender-specific preferences; set conservative filler targets and incorporate objective imaging or scales to mitigate drift toward progressively larger lips.

Limitations

• Sample size and demographics not detailed in the abstract; laboratory context may limit generalizability.
• Use of static images may not capture dynamic social cues influencing attractiveness.

Future Directions

Larger, cross-cultural studies with preregistration; quantify dose–response to social media exposure; link perceptual shifts to clinical outcomes (e.g., repeat filler use, BDD screening).