What part of your weekly routine contributes the most to your appearance? For what reasons do you try to look good? Is there a particular body area, or body part, that you believe is your best feature?
Questions like the ones above were asked by researchers during the Beauty for Life survey, a collaborative effort by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. ASAPS President Renato Saltz says the survey was intended to help surgeons “understand what patients are most concerned about at different stages of their lives.”
Participants were grouped according to age so researchers could determine how members of each generation approach physical appearance of the self and physical appearance of ones partner or potential partner.
Respondents in their 20s, 30s, and 40s reported that a “fit, well proportioned body” was what they found most appealing in another person. When it came to their own physical characteristics, the same group was apparently more concerned about their own faces. The abdomen and hips were said to be areas of significant concern (especially in the 30s), but across the board, patients said they were most conscious of their facial appearance.
Reasons given for maintaining an attractive physical appearance included the following:
- Boost self confidence
- Make friends
- Attract partners
- Increase job prospects
In all age groups, cosmetic procedures ranked fairly high, alongside diet, exercise, and skin care. Through the link listed below you can easily view the results (in a pdf file) of the Beauty for Life survey.
