Historical significance and cultural perceptions

The Golden Ratio and the implications related to it dates back to ancient civilizations, specifically ancient Greece where architects and artists incorporated the Golden Ratio into their works of art and buildings ,since it was used to represent a divine proportion that embodied ideal beauty. 4 This influence extended into art, shaping ideals of beauty , proportions and aesthetics in the Western culture. 4

It is of great importance that the perceptions of beauty are diverse in different regions. 5 What is considered attractive in one area and culture may differ from the other. In instance, Western culture value clear and symmetrical features since ages, while on the other hand , East Asian cultures usually tend to prioritize a more rounded facial appearance. 5 The media has also contributed to the breaking of beliefs and norms of beauty ideals and model that may or may not align with the Golden Ratio, and its principles further making its universal application very complicated. 6

Introduction to the golden ratio

The Golden Ratio, is often symbolized by the Greek letter φ (phi), which is a mathematical proportion approximately equal to 1.618. It arises from the Fibonacci sequence, a series where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones (0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.) 7.

Mathematically, the Golden Ratio is expressed as (a + b)/a = a/b = φ, where a is larger than b 5. This ratio is very well known for its properties of aesthetic appeal, and is observed in many natural forms like architecture and various artistic forms and human facial proportions. 7

The golden ratio in facial aesthetics

In the realm of facial aesthetics, the Golden Ratio serves as a theoretical framework for assessing the proportions and symmetry of different facial features.9 This theory suggests that faces that closely adhere to the Golden Ratio are perceived as more attractive owing to their harmony and balance. 9

Key measurements include

1. Face Length to Width Ratio: The length of face should be approximately 1.618 times its width. 8

2. Eye Spacing: The distance between the eyes should be 1.618 times the width of a single eye.8

3. Nose and Mouth Widths: The width of the nose is considered aesthetically pleasing when it measures about 1.618 times the width of the nostrils, while the width of mouth should be 1.618 times the width of the nose. 8(Figure 1)

Figure 1

Horizontal ratios- Vertical ratios

Source: http://surl.li/rfozsf

The following ratios have been calculated in the horizontal and vertical planes 8:

Vertical ratios

1. Forehead height/intereye-interalae

2. Forehead height/stomion-soft menton

3. Ala-soft menton/stomion-soft menton

4. Intereye-interalae/interalae-stomion

5. Intereye-soft menton/intereye-stomion

These proportions are believed to reflect a harmonious balance that is appealing universally, but a few variations are observed universally due to individual differences and cultural preferences. 10 (Figure 2)

Figure 2

Source: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MHgL0UIM61w/VCUSPs42BAI/AAAAAAAADC4/A-chsiQ37Q4/s1600/facial%2Bline.jpg

More specifically, the normally used horizontal ratios were as follows (p < 0.05)11 :

1. Intertemporal/intercanthal 1.314 (1.115 to 1556)

2. Intercanthal/intercheilion 1.852 (1.583 to 2.089)

3. Interalae/interdacryon 1.099 (0.550 to 1.459)

4. Interalae/nose width 2.026 (1.33 to 3.174)

5. Intercheilion/interdacryon 1.479 (1.050 to 2.033)

6. Intercheilion/interalaa 1.390 (1.188 to 1.909).

The most attractively considered vertical ratios found were as follows (p < 0.05)11 :

1. Forehead height/intereye-interalae 1.410 (0.811 to 2.222)

2. Forehead height/stomion-soft menton 1.346 (0.676 to 2.051)

3. Ala-soft menton/stomion-soft menton 1.699 (1.467 to 1.909)

4. Intereye-interalae/interalae-stomion 1.357 (0.912 to 2.139)

5. Intereye-soft menton/interalae-soft menton 1.540 (1.342 to 1.806)

6. Intereye-soft menton/intereye-stomion 1.613 (1.458 to 1.864).

Scientific exploration and modern insights

Due to the recent technological advancements that enables major scientific study of the general concept of facial proportions and physical attractivenes, researchers can now utilize facial recognition software and morphometric analysis to compare facial features and proportions across diverse populations. 10 Studies have found relations between facial symmetry and Golden Ratio in addition to the geographical diversities that are seen in human population, like the occurance of long nose in people living in colder regions which help them to warm and humidify the cold air they inhale. Comparing with humid areas where people tend to have shorter nose. 12 In desert areas people tend to have more thicker and courser skin as compared to normal terrains to enable them to tolerate the dust fumes and sand bursts that occur frequently. People living in tropical region tend to have darker skin so as to compensate for the extremely harsh sun , thereby leading to increased melanin content in their skin. 13 The attractiveness which is percieved by most people has assumed significance though these findings and are subject to cultural, geographic and individual variations. 14

The Golden Ratio is used as a definitive standard of beauty has become a debatable area of consern. 7 Critics argue that beauty is inherently subjective, influenced by cultural norms, social conditioning, and individual preferences. 13 The application of a mathematical formula to define beauty across all contexts oversimplifies the complexity of human perception and aesthetic appreciation. 13

Practical applications

Despite its theoretical findings, the practical application of the Golden Ratio in fields like plastic surgery and digital aesthetics raises ethical considerations . 7 The pursuit of an idealized facial proportion based on mathematical principles can potentially reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and undermine diversity in appearance. 1

The horizontal facial proportions can be used in orthodontic surgeries to alter the shape of the jaws to improve dental occlusion stability, and temporomandibular joint function (corrective jaw surgery), and in the correction of bilateral asymmetries to improve the patient’s facial proportions. 11 Patients are very specific in their needs for facial rejuvenation and aesthetic procedures, most demanded ones include ; Nose reduction, nose tip elevation, lip enhancement, brow lift, or chin augmentation, lip filling , cheek lifting , anti-ageing procedures, etc. 13 Hence, we must take into consideration the measurements that can be made in areas which are anatomically complicated as the human skull, and thereby study related to this mathematical relationship before combining its clinical implications as an important parameter for achieving facial and esthetic harmony. 14

Studies have also mentioned that in general certain facial proportions are generally perceived as attractive, individual preferences and cultural backgrounds play significant roles in shaping beauty standards. 13 The diversity of the human face challenges the universal ideal and underscores the complexity of aesthetic preferences. 15

Ethical considerations in facial aesthetics

Pursuing facial beauty raises and modifying it raises ethical considerations, specifically in fields like cosmetic surgery and digital enhancement treatments. 1 While these practices can enhance self-esteem and quality of life for some individuals, they also raise concerns about perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and promoting homogeneity in appearance. 1

Furthermore, the impact of digital manipulation like filters available in camera applications and editing technologies available out there which can transform pictures by enhancing the features , reducing the fat, increasing complexion , even skin tone and what not. The social media attributions on perceptions of beauty such as being in perfect shape and physique, such as hourglass nature of women, with curvy bodies but petite and muscular well build men with chiselled body and jaws in males must be addressed.16 Images are commonly altered , edited and morphed to stick to the perceived ideal proportions, which mostly revolves around the Golden Ratio, thereby contributing to a homogenized portrayal of beauty that may not reflect the diversity of human appearances. 7

The portrayal of idealized and symmetric flawless facial features in the media and advertising company can impact societal perceptions of beauty, thereby tend to influence the self-image and might lead to low self-esteem among individuals specially teenagers who tend to be more beauty conscious and are getting affected with the sudden change in their body and physical changes, when their physical appearance do not conform to these ideals they tend to switch to these beauty products and treatments available and accessible to them some of them who even tend to administer medication which might turn out to be fatal for their future wellbeing. 16 Some teenagers who tend to breakout in their prime teenage years due to the hormonal changes, often rely on drugs which are mostly contraceptive pills which can affect their reproductive cycle in later stages of their life . 16