The Influence of Different Light Angles During Standardized Patient Photographic Assessment on the Aesthetic Perception of the Face

Hernandez, Claudia A.; Espinal, John Mario; Zapata, David Uribe; Coimbra, Daniel; Alfertshofer, Michael; Frank, Konstantin; Green, Jeremy B.; Davidovic, Kristina; Gavril, Diana L. und Cotofana, Sebastian (2021): The Influence of Different Light Angles During Standardized Patient Photographic Assessment on the Aesthetic Perception of the Face. In: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Bd. 45, Nr. 6: S. 2751-2759

Abstract

Background 2D baseline and follow-up clinical images are potentially subject to inconsistency due to alteration of imaging parameters. However, no study to date has attempted to quantify the magnitude by which such images can be influenced. Objective The objective of the present study is to identify the magnitude by which images can be influenced by changing the imaging light angle. Methods This study is based on the evaluation of 2D frontal images of the face and included a total of 51 subjects of which n = 14 were males and n = 37 were females. Faces were photographed at 0 degrees, 30 degrees, and 60 degrees light angle under identical and standardized conditions. Images were randomized and rated by 27 blinded raters for age, facial attractiveness, body mass index (BMI), temporal hollowing, lower cheek fullness, nasolabial sulcus severity, and jawline contour. Results Facial attractiveness decreased, facial unattractiveness increased and the evaluated BMI (based on facial assessment) increased statistically significantly at 60 degrees. The assessment of regional facial scores, i.e., temporal hollowing, lower cheek fullness, and jawline contour, showed no statistically meaningful changes both at 30 degrees and at 60 degrees light angle. Conclusion The results indicate that there might be an observed blind range in light angle (0 degrees-30 degrees) which does not influence facial assessment. Increasing the light angle past the threshold value to 60 degrees might result in a statistically significant impact on facial perception which should be accounted for when documenting and/or presenting facial 2D images.

• Dokumententyp: Zeitschriftenartikel
• Fakultät: Medizin
• Themengebiete: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften > 610 Medizin und Gesundheit
• ISSN: 0364-216X
• Sprache: Englisch