Changing Perceptions of Beauty: A Surgeon's Perspective

ABSTRACT

Beauty is a mystery that has been with us for ages. Scholars and scientists have investigated its roots and effects, and its presence is ubiquitous. Has the construct of beauty changed over time? Is our sense of beauty learned or innate? What is beauty, and can we quantify it? A substantial amount of work supports a Darwinian theory of selection, which predicts a survival advantage based on physical attractiveness. However, there is evidence that certain perceptions of beauty change with time. Indeed, the recent globalization of modern society has wrought changes in our perceptions of beauty. Are patients electing cosmetic surgery procuring a survival advantage, or are they bypassing genetics and setting a new standard for beauty? As facial plastic surgeons, we must be poised to respond to this metamorphosis and understand its roots. Although there is some equivocation and debate about this elusive subject, it is our duty to stay abreast of the current dynamic to make sound judgments that are in the best interests of our patients.

KEYWORDS

Beauty - facial plastic surgery - evolution - perceptions

REFERENCES

• 1 Brown L, Stevenson A Oxford Dictionary. Oxford, UK; Oxford University Press 2002
• 2 Marquardt S R. Dr. Stephen R. Marquardt on the Golden Decagon and human facial beauty.  J Clin Orthod. 2002;  36 339-347
• 3 Symons D. The Evolution of Human Sexuality. Oxford, UK; Oxford University Press 1979
• 4 Thornhill R, Gangestad S W. Facial attractiveness.  Trends Cogn Sci. 1999;  3 452-460
• 5 Penton-Voak I S, Perrett D I. Consistency and individual differences in facial attractiveness judgements: an evolutionary perspective.  Soc Res (New York). 2000;  67 219-244
• 6 Perrett D I, Burt D M, Penton-Voak I S et al.. Symmetry and human facial attractiveness: averageness, symmetry and parasite resistance.  Evol Hum Behav. 1999;  20 295-307
• 7 Langlois J H, Roggman L A. Attractive faces are only average.  Psychol Sci. 1990;  1 115-121
• 8 Etcoff N. Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty. New York; Doubleday 1999
• 9 Little J W. Considerations in periorbital rejuvenation and panel discussion. Presented at the Ninth International Symposium of Facial Plastic Surgery May 3, 2006 Las Vegas, NV;
• 10 Adamson P A, Doud Galli S K. Modern concepts of beauty.  Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2003;  11 295-300
• 11 Buss D M. Sex differences in human mate preferences-evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures.  Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 1989;  12 1-14
• 12 Grammer K, Fink B, Moller A P, Thornhill R. Darwinian aesthetics: sexual selection and the biology of beauty.  Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. 2003;  78 385-407
• 13 McLuhan M. Understanding Media-The Extensions of Man. 1st ed. New York; McGraw Hill 1963
• 14 Orbach S. The beauty beast. The Globe and Mail Mar 8, 2006 IWW4
• 15 Jones D, Hill K. Criteria of facial attractiveness in five populations.  Hum Nat. 1993;  4 271-295
• 16 Valéry P. Some simple reflections on the body. In: Feher M, Naddaff R, Tazi N Zone 4: Fragments for a History of the Human Body-Part 2. New York; Zone 1989: 395-405
• 17 Garner D M. The 1997 body image survey results.  Psychol Today. 1997;  31 30-44
• 18 Alam M, Dover J S. On beauty, evolution, psychosocial considerations and surgical enhancement.  Arch Dermatol. 2001;  137 795-807
• 19 Berscheid E, Walster E. Physical attractiveness. In: Berkowitz L Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 7. New York; Academic Press 1974: 157-215
• 20 Webster M, Driskell J E. Beauty as status.  American Journal of Sociology. 1983;  89 140-165
• 21 American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2004 Membership Survey: Trends in Facial Plastic Surgery. New York; Magnet Communications; 2005 Available at: http://www.aafprs.org/media/stats_polls/AAFPRSMEDIA2005.pdf Accessed: April 26, 2006