title: Nasal aesthetics:  a cross-cultural analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plastic surgeons often approach nasal aesthetic evaluation with the aid of seemingly objective measurements. However, ideal measurements of an attractive nose, as suggested in the literature, might not apply on a cross-cultural basis. Given these controversies, this study aimed to investigate the cultural and ethnic impact on nasal shape preferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computerized images of a model's nose were generated in which the nasal width, root, tip, dorsum, and projection of the lips and chin could be altered. A survey containing these images was sent to over 13,000 plastic surgeons and lay people in 50 different countries, with a total response rate of 9.6 percent. Demographic information about the interviewees was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preferred dimensions of the nose were broken down according to geographic, ethnic, occupational, and sex variables. Interregional comparison revealed that plastic surgeons from Latin America and the Caribbean overall prefer smaller and narrower noses, with more projecting tips, lips, and chins. Similar trends hold true when analyzing results from the general public. Significant differences were found comparing preferences between plastic surgeons and the general public. Plastic surgeons preferred wider nasal roots and tips and, in combination, more projected nasal dorsi, tips, lips, and chins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No universal parameter can define ideal aesthetics of the nose across cultures and ethnic backgrounds. As demonstrated, geographic, ethnic, and cultural factors influence aesthetic perceptions of patients and surgeons.
authors.affiliation: New Haven, Conn. From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Peter N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Broer
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morillas
authors.forename: Jong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanna
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Persing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000208:ethnology*; D010465:Perception; D010781:Photography; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000523:psychology*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult