Facial attractiveness: are there features recognized as a standard?

Introduction. The beauty of the face is a mystery well rooted in history. Several studies have followed over the years to search for objective characteristics that help define facial attractiveness. Photogrammetry is a valid tool, also used in clinical practice, to acquire multiple images of the face, which, through a special software, can be processed. Methods. In this study, starting from the 3D reconstruction of the faces of 7 women considered attractive at national level, i.e. finalists in the years 2019 and 2020 in the national beauty contest Miss Italia, and 7 women considered attractive by medical experts, 58 reference points were acquired and from these were obtained 10 linear measures and 5 angular measures. The U-Mann Whitney test was used to compare the two groups. Results. The data, analyzed with the use of statistical test, show that there are no significant differences between the measurements of the two samples. Conclusions. The study confirms the validity of the judgment provided by medical experts as well as the various selection steps made for the competition. Furthermore, it is possible to conclude that there are features that conventionally, for this nationality and in this era, are recognized as a standard of facial attractiveness.