Analysis of Sexual Dimorphic Features of the Jawline and Chin in White Celebrity Faces

Abstract

Background: The jawline greatly influences facial shape and contributes to facial dimorphism. Analysis of lower facial shape and sexual dimorphic differences in contemporary attractive white faces can advance the goals of lower facial aesthetics and facial gender–affirming surgery (FGAS). Methods: Full-face, front-view photos of 47 white female and 21 white male celebrities were included from a list generated using GQ magazine’s Highest Paid Models issue, People Magazine’s Beautiful issue (1991–2022), and celebrities featured on lifestyle websites. Facial landmarks were detected through a facial analysis program using Vision framework and MATLAB. After converting pixel distances to absolute distances, lower face measurements were compared between males and females. Results: The mean lower facial height was 6.08 cm in females and 7.00 cm in males (P value<0.001). The mean bigonial width was 11.21 cm in females and 12.30 cm in males (P value<0.001). The ratio of facial height to lower facial height was 2.98 in females and 2.76 in males (P value<0.001), signifying that symmetry in facial thirds is more prevalent in attractive female faces, while a longer lower face is more common in attractive male faces. The greatest differences in female and male facial contours were at gonial angles and chin. Conclusions: Analysis of contemporary white celebrity faces demonstrated significantly wider and longer lower facial measurements in males. The overall contour of the female lower face was more tapered at the gonial angles and chin compared to males. These results are important when planning lower facial rejuvenation or FGAS, as lower face size and proportions influence perceived gender and attractiveness.