The science of beauty is informed by the observations of the standards of beauty. According to a study by Singaporean publication, The Straits Times, research carried out on a couple of people found that beauty standards are set by very strong biological undertones. Asserting that symmetrical faced people tend to be healthier than people with asymmetrical faces. Also, it states that beautiful traits are linked to good genes that resulted from parent to child transfer.
The science of beauty is the concept involving the dimensions and connectivity of facial lines to the symmetry of the radius or the rest of the features of a person’s face. Research seems to support that same rule of golden ratio is used in other aspects of life such as nature, art and architecture, patterns in flowers and plants and animals. The rule of thirds states that the face is horizontally divided into three parts. This division starts from the hairline to the position where the eyebrows are located, also known as the glabellar line, and then down to the base of the nose through the brow.
The division also continues from the base of the nose to the position of the chin. There is also the rule of fifths which states that faces can be divided vertically in five various parts, and the more proportionate the parts divided are, the more beautiful the person is.
People with smaller faces with features that are prominent are considered more attractive than larger faced people with big features. If one’s lips occupy a large proportion on a person with a small face, or if their nose and eyes are aligned, then this person would be termed to be more attractive than the person with the opposite features to theirs.
Skin is another aspect that determines if one can be considered beautiful or not. When one has a flawless skin either by genetics or simply by a good skin care routine; the person on whose body this skin lies could be more attractive than someone who, for instance, does not have healthy skin for whatever reason. Some of the ingredients for healthy skin include the following such as rejuvenating the skin through staying hydrated, eating more fruits and vegetables, as well as staying away from direct sunlight, which has been known to be harsh for the skin. According to plastic surgeon, Dr. Chua Jun Jin of Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, “Skin is like the fabric of a dress.” Having flawless skin is critical in beauty. A skin without blemishes and wrinkles enhances a person’s face as would artificial features like make-up, for instance.
Smiles revealing a perfect set of dentitions can also enhance the facial looks of a person to the point of making them attractive.
Beauty and cosmetic companies have been conducting skincare research for years as a form of enhancing beauty features using modern technology as well as natural influences. Many of the products resulting from the research include those that can help the reduction of undesired pigmentation, and protection against discoloration issues resulting from an accumulation of melanin. Also, these products are being used in correcting visible dark spots, which generally tends to improve skin tone. Also, skin care and beauty products ingredients containing antioxidants came because of this research. All of this was possible thorough understanding biological influences carried out under the rigours of science amid stringent scientific processes.
The science of beauty also employs other factors besides genetic and artificial influences.
Researchers at the Tsinghua University in Beijing did a meta-analysis by pooling data from published studies checking for consistent results. Combing literature for an all brain-imaging studies that investigated the neural responses of people to visual art and faces, people were asked to provide report on their findings regarding what they regard as beautiful. The findings concluded that visual art and faces were two different kinds of beautiful things, thus allowing for a straightforward test of the beauty centre hypothesis, conceptually. All this they did to avoid adding to the mix of underpowered and inconclusive studies about whether the perception of beauty is localized to some specific area of the brain, as opposed to whether beauty was common to faces and visual art. This process was conducted in the area known as the capital-B-beauty region of the brain, the theory is that regardless of what’s particularly being seen as beautiful; this area should show up across studies, and if not found then visual art as well as faces would be termed as beautiful in its own way.
Outside of scientific findings, and the general acceptance of beauty, cultural preferences also influence beauty and how it is perceived. For instance, many Asians tend to view people who have a V-shaped petite face as the standard of beauty. As a result, many people have resorted to undergoing procedures that will help them achieve the sought after golden ratio.
Chinenye Emezie | Contributing Writer
