The True Appearance Behind Satisfaction in Young Women: A Study Using Stereophotogrammetry and FACE-Q

This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with facial appearance among young women, as measured by the FACE-Q tool, and facial asymmetry quantified through stereophotogrammetry. A total of 50 women aged 18 to 30 years with a normal body mass index were recruited for the study. Participants were categorized as either symmetrical or asymmetrical based on facial asymmetry assessments obtained through clinical examination and stereophotogrammetry using the Vectra M3 system. Facial asymmetry was quantified using root mean square (RMS) distances, with participants classified into symmetrical (RMS ≤0.68) and asymmetrical (RMS >0.68) groups. The statistical analysis included the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess the repeatability of RMS measurements (ICC=0.945), Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under the curve=0.900), and independent t tests to compare FACE-Q scores between groups. Results showed no significant differences in FACE-Q satisfaction scores between the symmetrical and asymmetrical groups. In addition, simple linear regression analysis indicated that RMS values were not predictive of FACE-Q scores, suggesting that facial asymmetry, as measured in this study, did not have a direct effect on self-reported satisfaction with appearance. These findings highlight the nuanced nature of individual satisfaction with facial appearance, suggesting that health care providers should combine clinical evaluation with empathetic communication to address both the aesthetic and functional concerns of patients more effectively.