Smaller lower face deemed more attractive, study finds

That square-jawed face may be making you look older, new research has shown.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center compared radiographs from eight men and eight women over their lifetimes and discovered that the mandible (lower jaw) continued to grow and widen, changing the shape of the face as the person matures, according to plastic surgeon Dr. Joel Pessa, lead author of the study appearing in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, who has done extensive work in the arena of facial aging.

A smaller lower face is generally perceived as more attractive and conveys an impression of youth, regardless of gender, according to the study. Contrary to Hollywood perceptions, the male feature of a “square-jawed” look isn’t deemed more attractive by men or women in studies.

“As a result, cosmetic procedures and surgeries that create the illusion of a diminutive lower face will make you look younger and improve the cosmetic result of a face lift,” according to Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern and senior author of the study.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.edu/plasticsurgery to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in plastic surgery.

Media Contact: Russell Rian

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