In the 21st century, the advent of skilled microsurgical techniques has afforded many with the option of undergoing operative facial rejuvenation. Known to many as a facelift, surgical advances have enabled patients to reap great rewards, not only with a full facelift, but also procedures which are less comprehensive such as a limited lower facelift or a simplicity neck lift.
While many are celebrating this new fountain of youth via plastic surgery, a recent study emerged and was reported by Medical News Today. The study claims that plastic surgery is not defined solely by youth.
There’s more to it.
The research study was recently published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery. The premise of the study was to use before-and-after pictures of ladies who had undergone a particular type or type of facial rejuvenation surgery. A handful of these procedures included:
- Facelift
- Eyebrow Lift
- Eyelid Surgery (upper, lower or both)
- Neck Lift
Part of the study was analyzing these photos and determining whether or not any specific personality traits were present for the viewer in a control study group. These personality traits consisted of the following:
- Likeability
- Aggressiveness
- Extroversion
- Trustworthiness
- Social Skills
- Risk Seeking
These supposed “traits” were all based on the perception of others for an individual before and after their facial procedure.
Reporter, Markus MacGill of Medical News Today wrote that the aim of the study was to, “introduce the concept of facial profiling to the surgical literature and to evaluate and quantify the changes in personality perception that occur with facial rejuvenation surgery.” He continued, “The relationship between facial features and personality traits has been explored ‘by social scientists for many years’ but so far left out of the journals read by surgeons.”
The goal of the study was to branch out further than looking more youthful. That was only one element. They delved into the different degrees of features following surgery and discovered if they were impacted in any way.
The study included 30 women who underwent a type of facial rejuvenation surgery which were subject to evaluation. These ladies had undergone surgery between the years of 2009 – 2013.
Plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Reilly of Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC, championed the study along with other coauthors. Unveiled was a “significant improvement” in the traits of likeability and social skills.
On the flipside, however, there was a moderate to slight improvement for the traits of extroversion, aggressiveness, risk-seeking and trustworthiness.
MacGill extracted from the study that, “The comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the patient who undergoes facial rejuvenation requires a broader understanding of the many changes in perception that are likely to occur with surgical intervention. The face is not defined by youth alone.”
This study affords the best plastic surgeons pathways for their patients not only to look more youthful but to also rein in other personality traits which may impact other facial features following surgery. The goal of plastic surgery is to achieve aesthetic harmony on many levels.
