Study Reveals Facial Plastic Surgery Affects More than One’s Appearance

Upper eyelid surgery has become one of the most popular facial plastic surgery procedures performed today. It’s no surprise. The eyes are a central feature. There is a lot of movement in the tissue around the eyes, including the upper eyelids and the brow area. Over time, this leads to lines and creases. Then, as we age and the body makes significantly less collagen and elastin to support the needs of the skin, we experience sagging and looseness. Eyelid surgery, called blepharoplasty, can reverse this sagging and hooding. According to a study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, this procedure can do much more than that.

What Research Shows about Upper Blepharoplasty

The study published in JAMA included 24 men, all around the age of 50. Each man underwent a variety of facial plastic surgery procedures. These included brow lifts, facelifts, chin implants, neck lifts, nose reshaping, and upper and lower blepharoplasty. All participants had pictures taken before their procedures and then again after undergoing particular surgeries. The photos were shared with 145 strangers who were asked to report perceived personality traits. The responders, aged 25-34 years, rated how attractive, risk-seeking, aggressive, trustworthy, sociable, likable, extroverted, and masculine the men seemed to be. Respondents were not aware of the goals of the study.

Overall, respondents noted that men who had had plastic surgery seemed more sociable, likable, trustworthy, and attractive. However, it was the men who had undergone upper eyelid surgery who were deemed the most trustworthy and likable. Men who had undergone brow lift surgery were deemed more extroverted and likely to take risks.

The lead researcher in the study, as well as other researchers who have studied facial appearance, chalk this attribution of personality characteristics up to evolution. Humans have always formed judgments of others based on their appearance, primarily their faces. This is true of both men and women, and research indicates that this evaluation of positive personality traits applies to both sexes.

Our eyes say a lot about us. If you would like to make a better impression with your eyes, come see us. Call 314-567-3567 to schedule a consultation for eyelid rejuvenation surgery in our St. Louis or St. Peters office.