Face analysis

Philtrum: what it is and what a long or short one changes

👄 The philtrum is the small vertical groove between the base of your nose and your upper lip, framed by two ridges. Its height affects the balance of your lower face: a long one lengthens the upper lip, a short one shortens it. It also tends to lengthen with age.

Updated November 7, 2026 · By Julien Rayes · Version française

Definition

Morphology specialists describe it as a vertical groove in the middle of the upper lip, framed by two columns of skin. It is measured from the base of the nose, between the nostrils, to the edge of the lip, with the face at rest: even a slight expression shifts the landmarks. 📏

Long or short philtrum: what it changes

Philtrum height matters mostly in relation to the rest of the lower face:

• A long philtrum puts more distance between mouth and nose, makes the upper lip look thinner, and often shows fewer upper teeth when the mouth is slightly open.
• A short philtrum gives a shorter, often more visible upper lip, a trait linked to a youthful face, since this area lengthens with age.
• Balance with the chin matters more than the number itself: a tall chin carries a longer philtrum, while a small chin makes it look longer.

What changes with age

The skin of the upper lip lengthens over the years. A 2020 study measured the faces of 169 Chinese women aged 20 to 60 in 3D. The height of the skin part of the upper lip, from nose to lip edge, went from about 13.8 mm in their twenties to 16.7 mm in their fifties, while the red of the upper lip thinned. Differences became clear after 40. The study compares different age groups rather than following the same people, and covers only Chinese women.

What changes how it looks, without surgery

• Makeup: lip liner on the edge of the upper lip, at the Cupid's bow, and a touch of highlighter just above the bow make the lip look fuller and the philtrum shorter. 💄
• A mustache: kept short and neat, it hides the height of the philtrum.
• A chin beard: it lengthens the chin and rebalances the lower face.
• In photos, a light smile that shows a little of the upper teeth visually shortens the lip.

Options to discuss with a doctor

⚠️ A hyaluronic acid injection into the red of the upper lip can add a little height, which visually shortens the philtrum. It is a medical procedure, to discuss with a qualified doctor, who can judge what stays natural on your face. Truly shortening the philtrum takes lip surgery, which GlowUpTogether does not recommend.

What the scan measures

The GlowUpTogether scan measures, on your front-facing photo, the ratio between your chin height (lower lip to bottom of chin) and your philtrum height, along with the three thirds of your face. Within its reference ranges, the chin is a little over twice the height of the philtrum. A value outside the range is a benchmark, not a flaw, and your plan shows what can move it.

Sources: NIH, Elements of Morphology, "Anatomy of the Philtrum" (accessed in 2026); Chong et al., "Stereophotogrammetry to reveal age-related changes of labial morphology among Chinese women aging from 20 to 60", Skin Research and Technology, 2020; CDC, "About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)" (accessed in 2026).

Frequently asked questions

What is a normal philtrum length?

There is no single value: it varies with age, sex, and ancestry. In the Chinese study cited above, the upper lip averaged nearly 14 mm from nose to lip edge in women aged 20 to 29. The most telling measure is the ratio to chin height.

Is a smooth philtrum serious?

Not by itself. A smooth philtrum is one of the criteria for disorders linked to alcohol during pregnancy, alongside other facial signs and signs of growth and development. It is never enough for a diagnosis, which belongs to a doctor.

Can you shorten your philtrum naturally?

No, no exercise changes its length. Makeup, a mustache and, to discuss with a doctor, a lip injection change how it is perceived.