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Facial self-perception, well-being, and aesthetic surgery
Ingo N Springer1, Mareike Schulze, Jorg Wiltfang
1iAesthetic, Institute of Aesthetic Medicine Hamburg, Germany. springer@iAesthetic.eu
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|June 30, 2011
Summary
Individuals with impaired well-being often have a negative facial self-perception, regardless of actual attractiveness. Their willingness for aesthetic surgery is not affected, and surgery may not improve self-perception.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Aesthetic Surgery Research
- Body Image Studies
Background:
- Controversy exists regarding the link between impaired well-being and negative body image or dissatisfaction with aesthetic surgery outcomes.
- Further research is needed to clarify these associations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychological well-being and self-perception of appearance.
- To determine if well-being influences the desire for aesthetic surgery.
- To assess the impact of well-being on perceptions of social functioning related to appearance.
Main Methods:
- 324 young adults (18-30 years) completed mood scales, appearance self-assessments, and rated willingness for aesthetic surgery.
- Photographs were independently assessed by 50 judges for attractiveness.
- Statistical analysis compared self-perception and willingness for aesthetic surgery between subjects with normal and impaired well-being.
Main Results:
- Subjects with impaired well-being reported more negative self-perceptions of appearance and its social impact.
- No significant difference in perceived attractiveness was found between groups by independent judges.
- Willingness to undergo aesthetic surgery did not differ between subjects with normal and impaired well-being.
Conclusions:
- Impaired well-being is linked to a negative facial self-perception, irrespective of objective attractiveness.
- Psychological well-being does not appear to influence the desire for aesthetic surgery.
- Aesthetic surgery may not enhance facial self-perception in individuals with impaired well-being.
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