[1][2] It has a prominence on the face, creating a focus for cosmetics (it is where lipstick is sometimes applied) and is also a location for several skin diseases.

As a consequence, the margin of the lips shows a transition between the thicker and thinner skin, represented by the vermilion border.

It therefore has the appearance of a sharp line between the coloured edge of the lip and adjoining skin.

Along the upper lip, two adjacent elevations of the vermilion border form the Cupid's bow.

[9] A vermilionectomy (sometimes spelled vermillionectomy) is the surgical removal of the vermilion border.