MEDICAL PLUS MAGAZINE – MAY 2014
The Golden Ratio, nature’s beauty formula, guides aesthetic surgery
Prof. Dr. Onur Erol stated, “The Golden Ratio, which inspires artists and designers, is also used today in the planning of aesthetic operations.”
Prof. Dr. Onur Erol, a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Specialist, said, “The Golden Ratio approach, where proportion and harmony are paramount in beauty, sheds light on why we find some people more attractive.” Prof. Dr. Onur Erol answered our questions about the Golden Ratio:
What is the connection between the Golden Ratio and aesthetics?
From ancient times to modern technological designs, the Golden Ratio, which inspires artists and designers, is used today in the planning of aesthetic operations. We do not desire to look young merely because it is a culturally more sought-after period. Signs of aging also disrupt the Golden Ratio and must be combated. Attempting to eliminate signs of aging without considering harmony and proportion, for example, only correcting a nasal curvature while ignoring its harmony with the jawline, also distances us from the Golden Ratio. This is called “Anti-Hormania.” In Aesthetic Surgery, it is necessary to plan not only according to the laws of the Golden Ratio but also in harmony with the individual’s character, socio-cultural status, and lifestyle.
Can you give examples of the Golden Ratio in the human body?
The traces of the “Golden Ratio” lie at the foundation of beauties we enjoy observing in a work of art or nature, which do not tire our eyes and do not become tiresome even after prolonged viewing. The ratio of our entire body height to the height from the ground to our navel gives the Phi number. The ratio of the distance between our elbow and shoulder to the distance between our elbow and wrist gives the Phi number; similarly, the ratio of the entire arm from wrist to shoulder to the distance between the elbow and shoulder is also the Phi number. The ratio of the width to the length of the two front teeth in the upper jaw also gives the Phi number. In our face: The ratio of the space between the eyebrows to the space between the pupils. The ratio of mouth length to nose width, the ratio of face length to face width, the ratio of lower lip width to upper lip width, and the ratio of the width to the length of the two front teeth in the upper jaw all give the Phi number.
Is the Golden Ratio always found in the human body?
No. Especially individuals whose faces possess the Golden Ratio are considered beautiful, transcending almost all cultural evaluations. In facial aesthetics, the Golden Ratio represents perfection. Celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron, Megan Fox, Rihanna, Adriana Lima, and Liz Hurley possess this ratio.
Why is the Golden Ratio present in nature but not in most people?
In human mate selection, cultural codes, traditions, material expectations, etc., which have no equivalent in nature, come into play. Additionally, factors such as urban living, poor nutrition, and inactivity have detrimental effects on a person’s ideal form. Very few of us instinctively choose partners who are attractive to us and are physically harmonious, and whose union would produce the most ideal offspring for nature. This is because our genetically most suitable partner might be someone whose education or social life we would never adopt. Of course, in our fundamental preferences, we still encounter traces of this call for harmony. We say that muscular men prefer smaller women, or those with slanted eyes prefer those with large eyes. But our mate choices are often not instinctive. On the other hand, the state of falling in love, where we develop a special interest in a particular person rather than everyone with many similar characteristics, is referred to by philosophers as the call of genetic harmony.
Can aesthetic surgery help us achieve the golden ratio in our face?
In fact, when describing what we dislike about our face, we consciously or unconsciously desire a change that aligns with the Golden Ratio. The advancements in Aesthetic Surgery help us achieve this harmony in our face. Furthermore, if your Aesthetic Surgeon applies the Golden Ratio principle in desired nose surgeries, facelifts, or filler applications, you will achieve a natural and timeless beauty.
