The Science of Beauty

There's more to people than their physical appearance. This piece of wisdom is nothing new to all of us. We have been taught these truths since we were children, and since then, we have learned to automatically claim that we don't judge people solely on their looks. We already know very well that beauty is skin-deep and that what matters most is a person's personality and their actions - their inner beauty.

In reality, however, it's hard to look past a person's looks. Consciously or not, we all have the tendency to assess the people we meet according to our subjective opinion of their level of attractiveness. While we don't always say it out loud, we immediately classify people as good-looking, average, or unattractive moments after we meet them. Even when we don't want to, beauty is an inescapable factor in human society. It doesn't have to dictate who we associate ourselves with and how we treat others, but the ugly truth is that we do find fault and flawlessness in the appearance of others, especially our own. Since our fascination with beauty is hardwired into our overall mechanism as human beings and as a society, one cannot help but think that there's a science behind all of this superficiality.

What makes a person scientifically beautiful? Facial symmetry and averageness are two key factors that determine a man and woman's level of attractiveness. The golden ratio, a concept holding that there is a ratio of 1.618 that achieves perfection in nature, plays a significant role in determining the attractiveness of a person's face. Studies suggest that faces with golden ratio proportions are generally deemed attractive.

This means that the ratio between the width of the face and the width of the eyes, eyebrows, and the nose determine whether or not a woman or man is considered beautiful. For example, researchers at the University of California, San Diego, and Canada's University of Toronto discovered that the distance between a woman's eyes must be less than half of the width of her face in order to be regarded as attractive or desirable. Not only that, the distance between a woman's eyes and her mouth must be more than a third of the height of her face.

A lot of experts believe that the Greek's golden ratio is the best way to quantify beauty. The faces of many celebrities who have gained widespread popularity for their appearance have been evaluated for their level of attractiveness using the golden ratio. In fact, this concept has been used for centuries to quantify beauty, and it is still being used today by plastic surgeons to create the perfect face.

Aside from facial symmetry and averageness, attractive people tend to have more diversity in their genes, which may make them healthier than those who are less attractive. According to a study conducted by the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, people who are considered attractive tend to have more diverse immune systems, which means they are better equipped to fight off illnesses and diseases.

In conclusion, while beauty is often described as subjective and in the eye of the beholder, there are still some objective ways we can measure attractiveness. The golden ratio has been used for centuries to quantify beauty, and scientific studies have shown that facial symmetry and averageness are key factors in determining a person's level of attractiveness. But at the end of the day, it's important to remember that a person's physical appearance is just one aspect of who they are. Inner beauty, personality, and actions are what truly matter in the end.

It's easy to get caught up in the idea of physical beauty, especially in a world where physical appearance is often given more value than it deserves. However, it's important to remember that true beauty comes from within. It's the kindness, compassion, and empathy that we show to others that truly make us attractive. In the end, the science of beauty can only take us so far. At the end of the day, it's our actions that truly make us beautiful.