San Diego, CA – Standard ideals of facial beauty and harmony may differ depending on geographic location, with a specific difference between North American beauty ideals and those of Brazilians.
In a paper presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego, researchers studied the preferences of a group of health professionals who work with facial esthetics, a group of artists and sculptors, and a group of general citizens. They were asked about their esthetic impression of three nasal root height variations, produced with computer imaging from the profiles of six women between the ages of 18 and 30 years.
The low position of the nasal root, between the upper eyelid crease and the pupil level, was considered the most beautiful by the Brazilian health professionals, artists, and lay public (53%), followed by the regular position (36%). When asked about the worst profile, the high level was chosen (73%).
The researchers note that it is very important for health professionals who work with esthetics to know the preferences and standards of their patients, as the main goal of facial plastic surgery is subjective satisfaction. Much of the literature on the theme is written by researchers from North America and Europe, regions where the cultural and ethinic background is different from the population of Brazil, where the research was conducted. This new research provides a refined view of the preferences among Brazilians, and can help surgeons to tailor strategies to meet their patients' needs more accurately.
Title: Comparison of the subjective impression about facial harmony
Presenters: Geraldo Augusto Gomes, MD; Shiro Tomita, MD; Manuela Mosciaro, Carla Freire, Fernanda Porphirio, MD; Tiago Simas, MD
Information for the Media: The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Newsroom will be located in the San Diego Convention Center, Mezzanine Level, Room 14A. Hours of operation: Saturday, October 3, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday-Tuesday, October 4 – 6, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 am to 2 pm (all hours Pacific time). The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the news media. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event.
Onsite Newsroom contact: 1-619-525-6202
About the AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents nearly 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's vision: "Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care."