Study Explores Women’s Attitudes toward Facial Appearance

Throughout the world, facial aesthetic treatments are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments. A recent study by researchers at the Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey set out to explore why women want to change the appearance of what they see in the mirror. Findings were published in the May issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Not only did the Turkish researchers want to explore the why, they also wanted to understand what facial features women liked and disliked the most. Through their study, the answer to that question depended on what age the particular subject was.

Among women in their 20s, the nose and skin were the primary areas that women focused on most and desired to change. For women in their 30s and 40s, the skin and area around the eyes (…periorbital region) were the focus of concern. And for women in their 50s, the periorbital region and the jawline were of primary concern.

Commenting on the results, Dr. Billur Sezgin, M.D. explained “We found that many women are not at peace with what they see in the mirror. When women look in the mirror, they primarily focus on the parts of their face they most dislike or desire to change.”

Sezgin goes on to explain that this dissatisfaction is the prime motivation for seeking facial treatments.

Researchers in the study asked patients of various cosmetic surgery clinics which parts of their face they focus on most. They also asked which part of the face they noticed in other women and what they liked or disliked most about their own face.

Data from the study revealed that women tend to focus more on the areas of their face they dislike the most. As they age though, it was determined that the features women focus on change as well.

Participants in the study also indicated they generally focused on women in their 20s and 30s, regardless of their own age.

“This has strong implications for patient selection and satisfaction, reminding us that we need to both understand why patients are seeking treatment and ensure that they have a realistic understanding of aesthetic outcomes,” comments Foad Nahai, MD, Editor-in-Chief of the Aesthetics Surgery Journal.

These findings are especially interesting to us since one of our clinic’s specialties is facial surgery.

While we carefully consult with each perspective patient, having information like this helps us better understand why women choose to undergo facial surgery procedure(s).