Surgical enhancement of facial beauty and its psychological significance.

Facial beauty is easier to recognize than to define. It is widely agreed that beauty is an evolutionary adoption for ensuring the survival of the species, because physical attractiveness is rated as more vital in mate selection. It includes a combination of qualities, starting from the grace of form to the charm of the colours that delight the sight and other senses. It does not have any norms however individual or societal assessment of attractiveness is greatly influenced by cultural standards. Several soft and hard tissue surgical procedures are therefore performed around the world each year. In this 12 years study from 1992 to 2004 the types of orthognathic surgical procedures performed and their psychological impact on the patients' well-being have been evaluated. By carefully structured interviews and psychosomatic evaluations It has been clinically demonstrated that psychological analysis is as important as soft and hard tissue parameters for patients undergoing surgical procedures to enhance facial beauty.