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Patients perceived as younger, more successful after undergoing facial rejuvenation surgery

Patients who underwent face-lift and upper facial rejuvenation surgery were perceived as younger, more attractive and more successful by observers, according to survey results recently published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Researchers conducted web-based surveys featuring photographs of patients before and after facial rejuvenation surgery. There were 504 participants (333 women; mean age, 29 years) who successfully completed the survey.

Independent images of 12 patients were used, and within a given survey participants saw either the preoperative or postoperative photograph of each patient. A slider bar ranging from 30 to 80 years was used to evaluate patient age, and a 100-point visual analog scale was used to measure perceived attractiveness, success and heath.

Patients were rated as appearing significantly younger (–4.61 years; 95% CI, –4.97 to ­–4.25 years) and having increased attractiveness (6.72; 95% CI, 5.96-7.47) in the postoperative images, according to a multivariate effects regression model. There also were significant increases in observer-perceived success (3.85; 95% CI, 3.12-4.57) and health (7.65; 95% CI, 6.87-8.42)

“The data presented in this study demonstrate that patients are perceived as younger and more attractive by the casual observer after undergoing face-lift and upper facial rejuvenation surgery,” the researchers concluded. “These procedures also improved ratings of perceived success and health in our patient populations. Ultimately, these findings suggest that procedures for the aging face confer a larger societal benefit than simply restoring a more youthful appearance.”– by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.