A new approach in determining lateral facial attractiveness.

INTRODUCTION The current literature on facial attractiveness focuses on anterior-posterior facial portraits, with lateral facial analysis limited to comparing facial attractiveness scores with various facial measurements. Here we use a novel approach to more rigorously study lateral facial attractiveness by combining morphing software and a genetic algorithm with web-based facial attractiveness scoring to evolve attractive lateral facial images. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to: 1) identify the key lateral facial landmarks that produce realistic lateral facial images; and 2) determine if a genetic algorithm combined with morphing software can progressively evolve lateral facial attractiveness. METHODS A cohort of lateral facial portraits were selectively paired by a genetic algorithm biased towards more attractive faces, and "bred" with morphing software to create a cohort of faces more attractive than the original. By repeating this process facial attractiveness was "evolved" through several cohorts. RESULTS Key facial landmarks are: trichion to glabella, nasion to tip of nose, subnasale to labrale inferius, and pogonion to menton. Facial attractiveness scores increased in each successive cohort. CONCLUSION Using these landmarks and methodologies, realistic lateral facial portraits were created and progressively increased in facial attractiveness. This technique is a robust alternative to traditional approaches in the analysis of lateral facial attractiveness.