The Mathematics of Beauty

Cosmetic surgery is about symmetry, proportion, and aesthetics. As humans, we naturally recognize another human face, we even recognize the distinction between a beautiful face and a not so attractive face. Somehow we do this without doing mathematical calculations in our heads too! But it turns out there is a mathematical aspect to beauty. It is a mathematic concept that you may have heard of , even if you are not sure what it means, called Phi. Phi is a ratio, a relationship of parts, and I am going to leave that as the definition because frankly, I don’t want to explain a lot of math! Suffice it to say, Phi is a mathematical ratio that is found over and over again in nature, including the human face.

This ratio, 1 to 1.618 has been known since ancient times. Historians are not sure if the architects of the pyramids used it, but it is integral to the structures. The ancient Greeks certainly knew of phi when they constructed the Parthenon. Phi, or the ratio of 1 to 1.618 is naturally pleasing to humans. In fact the ratio has variously been called The Golden Section, The Divine Proportion,  and The Golden Mean. Recognizing this ratio intuitively is part of the art of a cosmetic surgeon.

We may be hard-wired to respond to this ratio. It is proportion that in combination with symmetry creates what we call beauty. Research has shown that cross-culturally, through thousands of variations on the theme, humans find facial symmetry in relation to this Divine Proportion beautiful. Science has also discovered that facial symmetry is related to health. Genetic disturbances increase as asymmetry of the face increases. It is likely that our attraction to beauty has the biological goal of reproducing healthy offspring. Aside from architects using phi, an amazing surgeon named Dr. Stephen Marquardt created what he calls a “Beauty Mask.” The mask is a combination of geometrical shapes using the phi ratio that depicts ideal beauty. You can see this mask in this ARTICLE.

I find all this fascinating!  Arkansas cosmetic surgery patients seeking symmetry can give me a call at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center.

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up your consultation with me. 501-277-0707