Avoid exaggeration in facial augmentation while creating natural symmetry

NEW YORK — Avoiding exaggeration of dominant female and male facial features while balancing natural lines of symmetry is crucial for facial augmentation, according to an educational program presented at Facial Aesthetics New York.

Historically, beauty has been related to symmetry, Steven J. Pearlman, MD, FACS, discussed in his presentation. However, human anatomy and facial structure is not “perfectly symmetrical,” and to try to achieve such through augmentation can create unsatisfying results. It is important to explain these facts while consulting cosmetic patients.

Steven J. Pearlman

It is also important for the physician to be aware of the common, dominant features that are defined as attractive for either female or male patients. Female attraction, according to Pearlman, relates particularly to largely spaced eyes, a small nose, high cheekbones, a thin jawline, small chin and a short upper lip. The female face narrows in the lower half.

Male dominant aesthetic traits are related to lower brows, smaller eye frame, strong cheek and nose definition, and a square jaw with a prominent chin. Facial hair can also help define the lines of the jaw.

The defining characteristics for what is attractive for each gender can change over time, Pearlman noted. The current trends for women, as he defined them, are for narrower eyelids, stronger noses and plumper lips.

The most frequently viewed facial features, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, are the eyes, followed by the nose, mouth, ears, then chin. Framing the eye is key, stated Pearlman.

His focus is to raise the arch of the brow, fill the volume of the anterior cheek, and fill the tear trough to soften the transition from the eyelid down to the cheek. He has also found in some cases that just filling the cheeks can soften the nasolabial fold and smooth any hollowness under the eyes without needing to inject into the tear trough or nasolabial fold.

Pearlman concluded that facial augmentation procedures should avoid exaggeration of the dominant aesthetic features of either gender. Exaggeration in the female can lead to an unnatural aesthetic look, while exaggeration in the male can create an aggressive, unattractive appearance. – by Talitha Bennett

Disclosure: Pearlman reports he is on the speakers bureau for Allergan and has ownership interest in Anterios.

Reference:

Hickman L, et al. JADA. 2010;doi:10.14219/jada.archive.2010.0019.

Pearlman SJ. Female and Male Aesthetics. Presented at: Facial Aesthetics New York; Nov. 3, 2016; New York.