Does Being Attractive Matter? Part 2
Recap Part 1: Many of my patients describe concerns about specific facial features seeming out of sync, but they are not quite sure why. Asymmetry is often the cause of feeling unattractive, but sometimes patients are just bothered by changes due to aging. General attractiveness concerns that top this list include crooked noses, droopy jowls and baggy eyes.
During consultation, patients may also report feelings of diminished self-esteem, often related to their perceptions of their own attractiveness. Cosmetic surgery is very effective in correcting physical problems. By making outward changes, we can often see a positive change in a patient’s attitude toward their self-image. This attitude shift is common with both my female and male patients alike. While cosmetic surgery is certainly not the answer in every case of low self-esteem, I am pleased that many of my patients express feeling better about themselves, following surgery. Some of my patients have contributed blog posts to share their personal reflections about surgery and can be found in Patient Comments.
More from Part 1: Everyone can point to someone that is confident and successful despite or perhaps unrelated to his or her looks. However, for those wanting to stay competitive in a youthful industry, like Hollywood, success appears to be firmly linked with physical appearance. How about for the rest of us?
Many of my patients describe concerns about specific facial features as, “seeming out of sync,†but not quite able to pinpoint why. It is generally accepted that facial symmetry correlates to attractiveness, as do perceptions of youth and health. The rationale behind symmetry preference in both humans and animals is that symmetric individuals rate a higher mate-value. Scientists believe that this symmetry is equated with a stronger immune system, indicating more robust genes and a better likelihood that offspring will survive. This theory is supported by research showing that standards of attractiveness are similar across all cultures. Does being attractive still really matter today?
Gordon Patzer tackles the question. He is a former Dean at Roosevelt University in Chicago and well-known researcher in the study of cultural bias based on physical appearance. Patzer calls his theory the Physical Attractiveness Phenomenon or “lookism.†Lookism is basically the behavior of treating people differently based solely on their level of physical attractiveness. Lookism can create an unfair advantage, often with a negative affect for those being judged harshly. As a plastic surgeon, I see the issue from both sides. When patients describe concerns about specific facial features seeming out of sync, asymmetry is often the cause of feeling unattractive. Sometimes patients are just bothered by changes due to aging.
