Developing a Balanced Facial Model: An Update on Thai Beauty Standards

Introduction: Defining beauty is multifactorial, complex, and dynamic. This study provides an aesthetic analysis of facial proportions of Thailand’s three major ethnic groups to create a balanced, ideal facial model of Thai people. Methods One-hundred and thirty-one female Thais who identified as Thai-Indian, Thai-Thai, or Thai-Chinese were included. Participants’ photographs were taken from 5 different angles at 90, 45, 0, -45, and − 90 degrees to create a 3-dimensional (3D) image of each participant. Three-board certified dermatologists individually assessed the physical attractiveness of these photographs. Participants were assigned to the balanced group when two or more dermatologists agreed that the participant was physically attractive. Participants who were not appointed to the balanced group were automatically assigned to the non-balanced group. Participants’ dominant landmarks as well as facial proportions, angles, and curvatures were also individually recorded and analyzed from these images. The mean facial anatomical landmark values of dominant points, facial proportions, facial curvatures, and facial angles of participants in the balanced group served as a 3D model for the Thai population’s ideal, desirable face. The mean anthropometric values of the non-balanced group served as a model for the average face of a female Thai. The average facial anatomical landmark values of both groups were compared to each other. Results The facial anatomical landmarks of balanced (attractive) Thais were significantly shorter along the x-axis than the non-balanced (average-looking) Thais, specifically between the left and right alae (19.443 mm vs 19.945 mm, P = 0.007), gonions (52.446 mm vs 53.561 mm, P = 0.008), and auricles (65.004 mm vs 66.642 mm, P = 0.007). The distance of almost all facial anatomical landmarks was statistically different between groups along the y-axis. No statistical difference between groups was observed across the z-axis. Conclusion Slender, slimmer noses with projected nose tips and V-shaped, slender lower faces were considered desirable in Thai females.