Experts have long been studying what people find most attractive and why. Understandably, several factors are at play — from the way a person dresses to the body shape and even hormone levels. Most people have some degree of facial asymmetry. Certain factors have been known to contribute to this.
Essentially, there is symmetry when body parts appear like mirror images of one another. Some research showed that most people find those with symmetrical faces more attractive. When a face is symmetrical, it means it has the exact same qualities on either side.
What an Asymmetrical Face Is
Facial asymmetry occurs when the eyes are at different heights or one eye is larger than the other. When the ears are of different size or if the person has crooked teeth, it is also considered facial asymmetry. Most asymmetrical features are considered genetic.
Causes of an Asymmetrical Face
If you are wondering why some people have an ear bigger than the other or why some people’s eyelids don’t match, there are several possible causes. Some of the likely causes include but are not limited to the following:
Stroke
A stroke can result in a drooping smile and in some cases numbness on one side of the face. Other symptoms can include speaking difficulties and numbness or weakness of the leg or arm.
Genetics
Asymmetric qualities can also be attributed to genetics. Case in point: if your father has an asymmetrical face or your mother has one ear bigger than the other, it is possible that you will also have those traits as the genes can be passed onto you. A cleft lip and palate and vascular disorders are also health conditions that can result in asymmetric features.
Torticollis
Torticollis is also popularly known as “twisted neck.” It can cause the muscles in the neck to rest in an abnormal position and cause asymmetrical facial features. Torticollis can typically occur in the womb and will often only cause temporary effects.
Smoking
People who smoke expose their face to toxins directly. A 2014 study revealed that toxins from smoking have a direct correlation to asymmetric features.
Bell’s Palsy
Sudden facial asymmetry can be attributed to Bell’s Palsy. Bell’s Palsy can cause facial paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. Bell’s Palsy can also occur as a result of pregnancy or viral infection.
Sun Damage
When the skin is exposed to UV rays, spots, moles, and patches can develop on the skin. Sun damage can also cause damage to only one side of the face.
Lifestyle Habits
Some lifestyle habits (i.e. posture, sitting with legs crossed, sleeping position, and resting the hand against the face, etc.) can also cause facial asymmetry.
Dental Work
Those who have had tooth extraction can affect the facial features on the side of the face where the tooth has been removed. Getting dentures or veneers can also change the contours of the face.
Injury
Those who experience injury to the face can make the face appear asymmetrical. This is especially true when the injury occurred during childhood.
Is Your Face Symmetrical?
If you want to check if your face is symmetrical, print out a photo of your face. Use a ruler and a level to check if the features are even on both sides of the face. Nowadays, there are also apps that can evaluate the photos and determine if the face is symmetrical or not. If you have an asymmetrical face, check with an aesthetic doctor to determine how you can make your face symmetrical.