Color homogeneity and visual perception of age, health, and attractiveness of female facial skin - 19/08/11
, Karl Grammer, PhD c, Maria Burquest, BA d
Reprint requests: Bernhard Fink, PhD, Department for Sociobiology/Anthropology, Institute for Zoology and Anthropology, University of Göttingen, Berliner Strasse 28, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany.Abstract |
Background |
Evolutionary psychology suggests that skin signals aspects of mate value, yet only limited empirical evidence exists for this assertion.
Objectives |
We sought to study the relationship between perception of skin condition and homogeneity of color/chromophore distribution.
Methods |
Cropped skin cheek images from 170 girls and women (11-76 years) were blind-rated for attractiveness, healthiness, youthfulness, and biological age by 353 participants. These skin images and corresponding melanin/hemoglobin concentration maps were analyzed objectively for homogeneity.
Results |
Homogeneity of unprocessed images correlated positively with perceived attractiveness, healthiness, and youthfulness (all r > 0.40; P < .001), but negatively with estimated age (r = −0.45; P < .001). Homogeneity of hemoglobin and melanin maps was positively correlated with that of unprocessed images (r = 0.92, 0.68; P < .001) and negatively correlated with estimated age (r = −0.32, −0.38; P < .001).
Limitations |
Female skin only was studied.
Conclusions |
Skin color homogeneity, driven by melanin and hemoglobin distribution, influences perception of age, attractiveness, health, and youth.
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| Supported in full by the Procter & Gamble Company. |
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| Disclosure: Dr Matts and Ms Burquest are paid employees of the Procter & Gamble Company. Drs Fink and Grammer have no conflicts of interest to declare. |
Vol 57 - N° 6
P. 977-984 - décembre 2007 Retour au numéro
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