WHO’S THAT GIRL?

In recent months, celebs including Trinny Woodall, Meg Ryan and Renee Zellweger have come under scrutiny for their changing looks.  When we’re browsing the latest celebrity news online and we come across a well-known actress or model, we’ve all had the same thought – they look unrecognisable! So, why is it that some people can seem to look so different in photos and how is it possible that we can’t reconcile their new image with their former appearance? Daniel Ezra, a leading oculofacial plastic surgeon, says that cosmetic surgery can help to maintain a youthful look. However, if it is “over-done” or performed poorly, particularly for a key area of the face (such as the eyes) then the way we look fundamentally changes.

Daniel continues saying that “the eyes are a central aesthetic feature of the face, mediating much of our interpersonal interaction and communication. So, essentially, the shape of our eyes, the upper lids and brows, make each of our faces unique and instantly recognisable to others. It is essential to remember that safety is particularly important around the eye, brow and midface areas where the integrity of the eyes can be easily compromised as a result of poorly planned surgery. He adds, “overall, there is something very special about the way in which our brain processes the human face. There is a huge body of research which indicates that we are able to extract an enormous range of information from faces. This includes someone’s traits such as their gender, race, age, emotional state, gaze and physical health.”