How Not To Look Like a Serial Killer
How You Can Improve the Personality Implied by Your Face
Horror movie rule:
Don’t trust a stranger because he’s smiling or attractive and therefore he must be nice. Next thing you know, you’re letting him into your house, car, or walking into a dark alley with him and and you know the rest.
Psychologist Alexander Todorov found that people make assumptions about trustworthiness, competence, and intelligence, in less than 100 milliseconds, and hold onto those impressions even when found to be inaccurate. People with faces that have high inner brows (forming an almost surprised expression), a soft jawline, a narrow or rounded chin, and full cheeks are assumed to be approachable, sociable and honest. Not surprisingly, people with more feminine features are perceived as more trustworthy than people with masculine faces.
Features judged as untrustworthy in other studies included small eyes, low-set or V-shaped brows, prominent chins, shallow cheekbones, and thin lips.
People with strong jawlines, square chins, low brows, and wide cheeks are assumed to be powerful, competent leaders and are more likely to be CEOs of large, successful companies. Not surprisingly, these features are considered masculine. Even though competent-looking CEOs are not necessarily better at their jobs, they’re more likely to get paid more. Military cadets who look more dominant are more likely to achieve higher ranks and trustworthy-looking people are more likely to get loans and get them with a lower interest rate.
One of the strongest determinants of the impression made by faces is the hint of emotional expression, even when the face is relaxed. When someone’s face has slightly upturned mouth corners or crow’s feet, they’re perceived as happy, warm, and trustworthy, whereas someone with a downturned mouth, lines between their brows, and lowered brows is perceived as angry or intense.
Other facial features that are associated with assumed personality traits are skin texture and the presence of skin blemishes. A study that compared subjects’ reactions to photos of people with smooth skin or blemishes found that the photos of people with blemishes were rated lower on the inferred qualities of trustworthiness, competence, maturity, attractiveness, and health. Not surprisingly but sad nonetheless, photos of people with skin blemishes were also perceived as less attractive.
It’s no secret that being considered attractive comes with many perks. People assume that attractive individuals are more intelligent, competent, and honest than less attractive people. Attractive individuals get more job interviews, make more money, get more promotions, and get away more with unethical behaviors.
Luckily, research shows that cosmetic facial treatments that can alter contours, features, perceived expressions, and/or smooth the skin, can improve the first impression a person makes.
Impression management with injectable esthetic treatments can make dramatic differences in the personality traits suggested by an individual’s face. Perpetual frown lines, low-lying brows, or a downturned mouth that imply unhappiness or anger can be improved with treatments like Botox. Dermal fillers can erase dark under-eye circles or lift flattened cheeks to make someone look rested, healthy, younger, and more energetic.
People who want to appear more dominant can enhance their jawlines and chins and lower their brows and those who want to look more trustworthy can raise their brows, enhance their cheeks, and round off their chins. The strategic placement of injectable fillers can also help masculinize or feminize a face as desired.
A study where independent viewers rated photos of faces before and after they had undergone a combination of injectable esthetic treatments found that the subjects in the post-treatment photos were not only perceived as more attractive, but they were also rated as appearing younger, more trustworthy, better educated, more financially successful, and more approachable.
Of course, changing the personality traits implied by your face won’t really improve your personality. We wish it was that simple, but the improved impression you make can positively impact your life.
If you’re interested in learning how you can put your best face forward, we’ll be happy to discuss the best treatment options for you. Request an appointment today.
