The Facial Beauty Index

Though they cover only around 15% of the facial surface, the brows, eyes and cheeks command the most attention, contributing much to a face’s beauty. From an artistic standpoint, these features are difficult to define because they differ so subtly in each person. However, computers and/or mathematics allow for more objective facial analysis and comparison, exemplified by today’s computer programs for facial identification.
            These programs take a mathematical average of thousands of faces to build a composite. Individual faces are then compared to an average face to detect differences and deviations. Each group of “eigenvector” deviations that tend to occur together comprise a master or “eigen” face. Eigen faces, like beautiful faces, tend to be symmetrical, harmonious, and volumetrically proportioned. 
            By focusing on the seven most important features, the formula is simplified as much as possible for the clinician. The Beauty Index presumes that the skeletal, muscular and soft-tissue measurements are in the normal range. Surprisingly, beautiful faces may not measure extremely high values for the nose, chin or ears, but since most attention is given to the brows, cheeks, eyes, jaw line and lips, those deficiencies can be easily overshadowed.

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