Three-Dimensional Facial Aesthetic Analysis of Oval and Rectangular Face Shapes in Han Chinese Women for Plastic Surgery Applications

This study used 3-dimensional scanning to quantitatively compare facial parameters between oval and rectangular face shapes in Han Chinese women, assess the applicability of traditional “3 Regions and 5 Eyes” aesthetic standards, and provide objective reference data for facial plastic surgery. Scans were obtained from 80 women (45 oval, 35 rectangular; mean age 29.6±8.4 y). Fourteen anthropometric landmarks were identified, and 20 parameters (height, width, convexity, and ratios) were calculated and compared between groups using unpaired t tests ( P <0.05). Oval faces exhibited significantly lower upper, middle, and lower facial heights; narrower upper, middle, and lower facial widths; and a larger ratio of total facial height to middle facial width than rectangular faces ( P <0.05). Relative to midface height, the upper height ratio was larger and the lower height ratio smaller in oval faces; relative to midface width, the upper width ratio was larger and the lower width ratio smaller. The ratio of palpebral fissure width to intercanthal width was also greater in oval faces ( P <0.05). Regarding convexity, oval faces showed greater upper facial convexity, a smaller sagittal projection of the zygomatic point from the tragion, and a larger sagittal projection of the pogonion from the subnasale ( P <0.05). No measured ratios conformed to the traditional “3 Regions and 5 Eyes” proportions. Three-dimensional imaging effectively quantifies distinct facial features, suggesting that traditional aesthetic standards should be refined using contemporary anthropometric data to better inform cosmetic surgery planning.