Anthropometric analysis of faces and heads of 18 to 30-year old Persians and its comparison with Caucasian ethnic group

Anthropometric facial analysis and quantitative measurements are useful methods for diagnosis, as well as planning in plastic surgery. The literature is replete with numerous related studies, few of which are about the Iranian population. This study was conducted to determine the average facial proportions of Iranians and compare it with that of Caucasians. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenient sample of 212 Iranians (male=108, female=104) aged 18-30 years who did not have any previous major facial surgery or trauma and their past two generations were Iranian. Measurements between facial landmarks were determined and compared with Caucasians with Student and one sample t-tests (P<0.05, 95% CI). The intercanthal (en-en) and eye widths (ex-en/R), forehead height 2 (tr-n), trichion-endocanthion (tr-en) and nasofacial and nasofrontal angles were not significantly different between the participating men and women but other facial measurements were significantly different (Р<0.05). The head (ft-ft), eye (ex-en/R/L) and nose widths (al-al) and upper face height (n-sto), nasofrontal angle and nasal tip protrusion in the study population were not significantly different from Caucasians. The upper lip (sn-sto), lower face (sn-gn) and forehead heights (tr-n) and nasofacial angle of the female participants were not significantly different from Caucasian women but other facial measurements were significantly different (Р<0.05). Most facial anthropometric measurements of Iranian subjects were significantly different from those of Caucasians. More precise studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to reach a common conclusion on the facial anthropometric similarities or differences between the two populations.