The role of sex hormones and social determinants in assessment of facial attractiveness

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The current study is focused on assessing the factors of attractiveness of opposite-sex individuals based on evaluating photographs of their faces. BACKGROUND: When assessing the attractiveness, factors of both, the assessed individual and the assessor play a role. The relationship of the preference for partners based on their physical appearance with the markers of prenatal testosterone is not fully understood. METHODS: Sex hormone levels were measured in saliva, while age, social status, income and occupation were recorded. A total of 30 women and 35 men were enrolled. RESULTS: The identifi ed factors determining the attractiveness of menare their age and prenatal testosterone level (second-to-fourth digit ratio-2D:4D). The attractiveness of men is more infl uenced by the factors of evaluating women, namely the rating assigned to the men positively correlates with age, 2D:4D, and salivary estradiol of the evaluating women. The attractiveness of women correlated negatively with age and positively with prenatal exposure to androgens (2D:4D).The women with lower estradiol were rated higher by men who themselves had low estradiol levels. The attractiveness did not correlate with current testosterone. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the knowledge on the role of sex hormones in human sexuality and partner choice. Further studies should include genetic factors of testosterone metabolism. (Tab. 4, Ref. 23).

The Perception of Esthetic Importance of Craniofacial Elements

“…Wrinkles are a sign of older age, which is considered less attractive than a young appearance. 47 This also accounts for people who care more about the opinion of others and are more likely to have wrinkle treatment; wrinkles are often considered an esthetic flaw, which leads to higher insecurity. It has been shown that age prevention and psychosocial wellbeing are key motivators for cosmetic procedures.…”

“…More wrinkles would be a factor to lower one's satisfaction. Wrinkles are a sign of older age, which is considered less attractive than a young appearance 47 . This also accounts for people who care more about the opinion of others and are more likely to have wrinkle treatment; wrinkles are often considered an esthetic flaw, which leads to higher insecurity.…”