The average African American male face: an anthropometric analysis

To determine the average facial proportions of the African American man and compare results with the neoclassical canons of facial proportions and the standard for the North American white man.

Cross-sectional survey.

Photographs and anthropometric measurements of the face were taken of 109 men of African American descent aged between 18 and 30 years, and results were compared with the neoclassical canons of the facial proportion and the averages of the anthropometric measurements for the North American white man. Proportional relationships were calculated based on the averages. Statistical analysis was performed.

The neoclassical canons of facial proportion were not found to be applicable to most of the African American men who participated in the study. Of the 24 anthropometric measurements obtained, 21 were significantly different from the measurements of the North American white man (P<.05). We present proportional relationships in our subjects.

The face of the average African American man differs from the neoclassical canons of facial proportion and the averages of anthropometric measurements for the North American white man. The proportional relationships found in our subjects might serve as a template for facial analysis in this patient population.