Attractive individuals receive higher ratings on independent social attributes including intelligence, success, and likeability.

To determine if knowledge that a photographed person had facial plastic surgery affects perceptions of attractiveness and/or social attributes.

Adults from the U.S. were recruited to complete an online survey (Qualtrics^TM respondent distribution system). Demographic information, a cosmetic surgery questionnaire, and a body dysmorphic disorder screening questionnaire were collected. Participants viewed photographs of young, above-average attractive Caucasian male- and female-presenting individuals (selected by Delphi method). Half of the participants were told that the individuals had facial plastic surgery. All participants rated the photographed people in terms of attractiveness and social attributes. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.

1000 participants (500 female, mean age 49 [SD 16.9 years]) were enrolled. There were no differences between participants in the primed (n=500, 250 female) or unprimed groups based on demographics, bias towards cosmetic procedures, or body dysmorphia screen. Ratings of photographed individuals’ attractiveness and social attributes did not differ between the primed and unprimed groups (all p>0.13). This held true even for those with negative bias towards cosmetic surgery.

Knowledge that someone had facial plastic surgery did not impact ratings of attractiveness or social attributes.