Washington, Oct 5 : When it comes to standard ideals of facial beauty and harmony, Brazilians differ in opinion over beauty ideals from North Americans, according to a study.

Presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO in San Diego, the study was based on an analysis of the preferences of a group of health professionals who work with facial aesthetics, a group of artists and sculptors, and a group of general citizens.

All the participants were asked about their aesthetic impression of three nasal root height variations, produced with computer imaging from the profiles of six women between the ages of 18 and 30 years.

The low position of the nasal root, between the upper eyelid crease and the pupil level, was considered the most beautiful by the Brazilian health professionals, artists, and lay public (53 percent), followed by the regular position (36 percent).

When asked about the worst profile, the high level was chosen (73 percent).

The researchers noted professionals who work with aesthetics should know the preferences and standards of their patients, as the main goal of facial plastic surgery is subjective satisfaction.

Much of the literature on the theme has been penned by researchers from North America and Europe, regions where the cultural and ethnic background is different from the population of Brazil, where the research was conducted.

The new research offers a refined view of the preferences among Brazilians, and can help surgeons to tailor strategies to meet their patients'' needs more accurately. (ANI)