Survival of the Prettiest Part 2:  Do Blondes Have More Fun?

As a follow-up to the blog on how we relate to babies, Nancy Etcoff in her book, Survival of the Prettiest, argues that men are more attracted to blonde women than to darker haired women, whereas women are attracted to the polar opposite, i.e., a darker-shaded male.  The reason that she argues that men are more attracted to fairer-skinned women is that men are more attracted to younger women who are in turn more fertile in nature and women are naturally lighter in color when they are younger when estrogens levels are higher.  Women, on the other hand, are attracted to men who are darker in shade because men have naturally a higher hemoglobin content that is closer to the skin making men naturally darker.  Are all men attracted to fairer-skinned women and are all women attracted to darker-complected men?  Obviously, the answer is no; and I am not trying to be racist.  As you know, I am Asian so I am not trying to betray my own race but just reporting some of Etcoff’s thoughts, which I find fascinating whether they are 100% accurate or not.  Along those lines, women are deemed more attractive when they appear younger, which is perhaps the single most primary drive that I have in my business is to make women appear more youthful.  I know most women come in and declare up front, “Doctor, I am not trying to look 20.” And I get that.  I understand that my goal is not to try to make a woman look ridiculous.  However, with that being said, I do try to shoot for as much youth as I can attain within reason since it is a vital factor in building attraction from other men and women alike.  If we forget wrinkles and jowls and other specific facial features, the larger goal is to make a face look more attractive to another person viewing it and thereby build self-confidence and related happiness.  Happiness from looking better?  Is that possible?  In Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Happiness Hypothesis, he argues that good plastic surgery can actually bring years of happiness to an individual.

Sam M. Lam, MD, FACS is a board certified plastic surgeon in Dallas, Texas. To schedule a consultation please call 972.312.8105. To Learn more about Dr Lams’ plastic surgery procedures here or to ask Dr Lam a question please visit his plastic surgery forum click here.