Facial attractiveness: A longitudinal study

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate various factors that might affect facial attractiveness from ages 11 to 31 years. Methods: Sixty subjects were selected from a sample participating in the longitudinal Cardiff Survey. Three-quarter-view facial photographs were taken of the subjects smiling and not smiling. Photos were taken in 1981, when the subjects were aged 11 years, and in 2001, when they were aged 31. Twelve judges used a 9-point Likert scale to evaluate overall facial attractiveness and the attractiveness of various facial features. The judges were also asked to estimate the adults' ages. Univariate and multivariate statistical tests and the generalizability theory were used. Results and conclusions: Overall facial attractiveness does not depend on any single feature; smiling and youthful facial appearance make women look more attractive; facial attractiveness tends to decrease over time from ages 11 to 31; people tend to retain their relative levels of attractiveness throughout their life spans; orthodontic treatment improves dental appearance, but it does not necessarily make a person more attractive in the long term. Nevertheless, the positive effect of orthodontic treatment could still be observed, especially in men with lower levels of facial attractiveness in childhood.