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Effect of the True Mirror on the Self-Perception of Individuals Interested in Cosmetic Facial Procedures
Russell S Frautschi, MD; Lynn M Orfahli, BM; James E Zins, MD
Cleveland Clinic
2020-02-15
Presenter: Russell Frautschi
Affidavit:
Russell developed this project, designed the protocol, and oversaw the entirety of its execution.
Director Name: Steven Bernard
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Aesthetics
Introduction: Photographic images can clash markedly with patients' self-perception. Individuals are more familiar with their mirror image, where their facial asymmetries are reversed. The True Mirror, a non-reversing mirror, allows patients to see their non-reversed image and familiarize themselves with how they appear in photographs and to others.
Methods: Individuals (n=30) filled out portions of the FACE-Q after inspecting their reflections in the True Mirror for 30 seconds. They performed the same task with a regular mirror. Subjects were randomized into two groups: 1) Regular mirror first and 2) True mirror first. Following both, investigators asked qualitative questions comparing the two mirrors and collected descriptive data such as age, gender, race, and history of prior facial aesthetic procedures. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and paired t-tests were used for analysis.
Results: Participants scored significantly better on the FACE-Q Age Appraisal and Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress when using the Regular mirror vs. the True Mirror (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in Age Visual Analogue Score. Qualitatively, most reported that their faces seemed less symmetric and less balanced (73% and 53%, respectively) in the True Mirror. Overall, 83% reported seeing a qualitative difference in their appearance; of these individuals, 36% endorsed that looking in the True Mirror had changed their facial aesthetic surgical goals.
Conclusion: The True Mirror can bridge between the familiarity of the patient's reversed reflection and their less-familiar, non-reversed photographs. It may serve as a useful physician-patient communication tool when discussing goals and expectations for facial aesthetic procedures.
