Beauty lies in the "eyebrow" of the beholder: a public survey of eyebrow aesthetics.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have attempted to define the dimensions of an aesthetically pleasing eyebrow. However, these dimensions represent the views of plastic surgeons and cosmetologists, not necessarily the general public. We hypothesized that many patients who present to their plastic surgeon for periorbital rejuvenation actually want their eyebrows to be in a more natural position than was represented in the studies we surveyed.


OBJECTIVE
A study was designed to define the dimensions of an aesthetically pleasing eyebrow from the perspective of the general public. This was achieved by surveying individuals in our local community.


METHODS
One hundred individuals were surveyed and asked to rank 27 photographs (including photographs of pre- and postoperative patients and of models) on a scale of 1 to 10 and grade each photograph as either "attractive" or "unattractive". Each survey taker provided extensive background information. The photographs receiving the highest number of points and "attractive" grades were then analyzed for eyebrow dimensions. The following distances were measured: medial canthus (MC) to medial eyebrow (ME), lateral limbus (LL) to lateral eyebrow (LE), and eyebrow arch position (EAP) to eye width (EW). Ratios were determined using the EW for comparison. We also evaluated the EAP in relation to the LL.


RESULTS
The eyebrow dimensions (mean +/- SD) of the most highly ranked female photographs were as follows: MC-ME:EW ratio 0.573 +/- 0.126, LL-LE:EW ratio 0.668 +/- 0.083, and EAP:EW 0.703 +/- 0.1. The eyebrow dimensions (mean +/- SD) of the most highly ranked male photographs were as follows: MC-ME:EW ratio 0.547 +/- 0.177, LL-LE:EW ratio 0.58 +/- 0.171, and EAP:EW 0.63 +/- 0.175. The EAP in relation to the LL was found to be 0.925 +/- 0.884 cm lateral to the LL in women, and 1.05 +/- 1.04 cm lateral to the LL in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Previously published dimensions of an aesthetically pleasing eyebrow, as defined by plastic surgeons and cosmetologists, differ from dimensions currently defined as attractive by the general public in our study.
Schreiber
Jeffrey E
JE
Department of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
Singh
Navin K
NK
Klatsky
Stanley A
SA