Posted June 09, 2015 in Blog, Plastic Surgery
While most of us agree that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, a recent study’s findings suggest that facial enhancement procedures like plastic surgery may make you seem more likable.
THE STUDY
Researchers from Georgetown University and Mercy Medical Center evaluated how people’s perceptions of a person’s personality changed when the subject underwent facial rejuvenation surgery. Six groups were asked to “rate” pre- and post-operative photos of 20 white female patients who underwent cosmetic surgery, including facelift, eyelid surgery, eyebrow lift, neck lift, and chin augmentation. Before and after photos were never included in the same set to avoid a direct comparison bias.
The groups were asked to rate every photo for femininity, attractiveness, and a set of six personality traits, including:
- Aggressiveness
- Extroversion
- Likeability
- Trustworthiness
- Risk-seeking
- Social Skills
RESULTS SAY: FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY MAKES YOU SEEM MORE LIKEABLE
When the evaluations were tallied, researchers found that the photos of enhanced women scored significantly higher for likeability, social skills, attractiveness, and femininity.
Aside from making you look younger, this study shows how much your face and facial expressions can impacts another’s perception of both your looks and personality. Facial plastic surgery procedures not only reduce signs of aging, they often enhance the facial profile, create facial harmony, and improve proportion and symmetry—all features that have been shown to impact what we find “attractive.”
THE GREATER IMPACT OF AGING
When patients come to us to learn more about facial rejuvenation, their concerns often aren’t focused on individual factors of aging, such as wrinkles and lines. Instead, we often hear “my heavy brow is making me look angry” or “these lines and drooping around my eyes are making me seem tired all the time.” Patients wonder if plastic surgery could make them more likable.
Your face is your primary resource for expressing your thoughts and emotions and, as such, it makes sense that aging can impact how others perceive us—and, perhaps more importantly, how we perceive ourselves. While plastic surgery should not be used as a tool for making others like you or find you attractive, there is nothing wrong with restoring a youthful look that better reflects what makes you, you.
Read more about the study here.
