Study: Facial Plastic Surgery Linked to Positive Personality Perceptions

Facial plastic surgery may not only make you look younger, according to a new study, it also may make you appear more likeable and sociable, findings that one New York plastic surgeon says are a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.

“In general, cosmetic plastic surgery as well as injectibles may significantly improve facial appearance. People may develop a huge psychological boost looking in the mirror after such procedures,” said Lyle Leipziger, MD, chief of Plastic Surgery for North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. “They feel more youthful and vibrant, which may equate to increased sociability and attractiveness.”

For the study, researchers at Georgetown University asked study participants to look at photos of 30 women who underwent different types of facial rejuvenation surgery, such as facelifts, eye lifts, neck lifts and chin implants.

Participants were asked to rank before and after surgery photos on their perception of the women’s aggressiveness, extroversion, likeability, trustworthiness, risk seeking and social skills, as well as for attractiveness and femininity.

The researchers found a statistically significant increase in the perception of likeability, social skills, attractiveness, and femininity and, to a lesser degree, trustworthiness.

Why should this matter?

According to the researchers, facial appearance is rooted in human evolution, with previous studies suggesting that judging a person based on their appearance boils down to survival.

“Our animal instinct tells us to avoid those who are ill-willed and we know from previous research that personality traits are drawn from an individual’s neutral expressions,” wrote Dr. Michael Reilly, lead study author.