Facelifts not only make men appear more attractive, they also increase the chances of seeming likeable and trustworthy, a study suggests.
Other cosmetic procedures to the face such as a brow-lift, reduction of lower eyelid or an upper eyelid-lift also showed benefits beyond making the man in question seem more attractive, the research found.
However, most procedures on or around the face were found not to improve the perception of the man’s masculinity.
In that way, male facial cosmetic surgery differs from most female procedures, as female procedures usually have the effect of making the subject appear more feminine.
Twenty-four men underwent a variety of procedures at Georgetown University, with “before” and “after” pictures then shown to more than 150 people.
The judges were asked to rate the subjects’ personality traits, such as aggressiveness, extroversion, likeability, risk-seeking, sociability, trustworthiness, as well as their attractiveness and masculinity.
Dr Michael Reilly, the study’s senior investigator, said: “It is really interesting that different anatomic areas of the face have varying degrees of contribution to overall personality perception.
“And it is also noteworthy that the study did not find a significant change in masculinity. Just one procedure, a neck-lift, was found to enhance that trait.”
Upper eyelid procedures were associated with increased likeability and trustworthiness, whereas lower eyelid work made the subjects seem risk-averse.
A brow-lift improved perception of extroversion and risk-taking, while a facelift increased the perception of likeability and trustworthiness.
A rhinoplasty, or “nose job” improved attractiveness only.
The new study is published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Via The Telegraph