Divine proportions in the growing face.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to answer this question: to what extent do facial proportions change in comparison with the divine values during growth?

METHODS

The changes of the facial proportions in ordinary subjects were analyzed with full-face photos from 20 female and 20 male subjects. In each photo, 5 transverse and 7 vertical reference distances were considered. The facial photos from childhood (age, 6.5 years), adolescence (17 years), and adulthood (30 years) of each subject were compared. For all photos in both planes (transverse and vertical), the ideal reference distances were calculated with a base value (1) and the divine proportion. These ideal distances were compared with the actual distances. Two facial disproportion indexes in the transverse and vertical planes, respectively, were determined and defined as the average absolute deviations of all measured distances from their ideal values.

RESULTS

The facial proportions changed, on average, only a small amount during the growth period from childhood to adulthood, but large interindividual variations were seen. The disproportion indexes in the transverse and vertical planes varied between 10.5% and 18.1% in the female subjects and 12.0% and 18.3% in the male subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with the divine values, facial proportions in both sexes remain rather constant during growth.