The Chaste Gaze: Long Thick Eyelashes as a Symbol of Divine Chastity-From Ancient Greece to Now.

This narrative review explores the evolving symbolism of long, thick eyelashes from classic antiquity to the present, positioning them as cultural markers of virtue, beauty, and identity. Sparked by the author's observation of the finely sculpted eyelashes of the Charioteer of Delphi (circa 470 BCE), this study traces how eyelashes transitioned from signs of divine chastity to tools of performative beauty. In ancient Greece, eyelashes embodied sōphrosynē-moral restraint and inner harmony-rather than sensuality.

Revisiting Kalos: Beauty, Irony, and the Plastic Surgeon's Eye.

This study explores a rare double-head vase from 6th-century BCE Akanthos, featuring 2 contrasting profiles-a pale-skinned Greek woman and a dark-skinned male with exaggerated features-each accompanied by a kalos inscription. While the inscriptions appear to assert symmetrical beauty ("Eronassa is very beautiful"; "Timyllos is as beautiful as this face"), philological and iconographic analysis reveals layers of irony. The woman's face reflects classical ideals, whereas the male's physiognomy (eg, bimaxillary protrusion) signals parody.

Faciality and the Surgeon as Deleuzian Artist: Reimagining the Face beyond Standardization.

Modern facial surgery operates at the intersection of anatomic precision and sociocultural meaning. The face is not merely a biological structure but a visual surface coded with norms of beauty, identity, and social legibility. Drawing from Deleuze and Guattari's theory of faciality, this editorial challenges the assumption that the reconstructive surgeon's role is to restore a "standard" face.

What Modern Aesthetic Surgeons Learn From Winckelmann's Ideal of "Noble Simplicity and Quiet Grandeur".

In an age when aesthetic surgery is often driven by algorithms, celebrity trends, and consumer demand, Johann Joachim Winckelmann's 18th-century ideal of "noble simplicity and quiet grandeur" offers a timely counterpoint. This essay revisits Winckelmann's reflections on ancient Greek sculpture-notably his interpretation of the Laocoön-to explore how restraint, balance, and silent dignity can inform contemporary aesthetic surgical practice. Through the lens of classic ideals, it argues that true beauty is not found in exaggeration, but in proportion, discipline, and the preservation of anatomic harmony.

Beyond Gender: Faces of Divinity in Classical Sculpture: What Ancient Greek Art Teaches Modern Surgeons About the Fluidity of Facial Ideals.

In classic Greek sculpture, the human face was not merely a reflection of sex or anatomy, but a sculpted embodiment of divine function, symbolic character, and moral essence. This paper examines how ancient representations of deities such as Athena and Dionysus defied binary gender classification, offering early models of facial expression that prioritized ethos over biological identity. Athena, though female, was rendered with strong jaws and reserved expressions, symbolizing rationality, discipline, and martial restraint.

The Wounded Face of Christ: A Catholic Craniofacial Surgeon's Reflection on Facial Trauma and Redemption.

This editorial reflects on the facial trauma of Jesus Christ through the dual lens of Catholic faith and craniofacial surgery. Inspired by Juan Manuel Miñarro's anatomically faithful sculpture "Cristo de la Misericordia," as photographed by Rocío Granados, the piece explores likely injuries sustained during the Passion, including zygomatic fractures, nasal trauma, and soft tissue contusions, with reference to scriptural accounts and forensic studies of the Shroud of Turin. As a craniofacial surgeon, the author examine the physiological plausibility of these injuries and their theological resonance-particularly the sanctification of suffering and disfigurement.

Ancient Shield, Modern Flap: A Comparative Reflection on Peloponnesian Design and Triple Rhombic Flap in Reconstruction.

The aim of this paper is to explore and compare the formal and functional parallels between the Peloponnesian shield and the triple rhombic flap, with implications for teaching and conceptual design in reconstructive surgery. The shield was photographed at the Archaeological Museum of Olympia and analyzed for its structural elements: central focal point, radial extensions, and directional flow. Also, clinical cases involving scalp reconstruction using triple rhombic flaps were reviewed.

Two Helens, Two Beauties: A Comparative Reflection on Classical and Medieval Ideals of Esthetic Perfection.

This paper explores how evolving cultural ideals of beauty, as embodied by 2 distinct literary representations of Helen-Helen of Troy from Greek antiquity and Helen from Goethe Faust Part II, Act III-inform contemporary aesthetic goals and patient psychology in plastic surgery. Using the comparative literary-interpretive method, this paper examines the morphology and symbolism of each Helen across historical and aesthetic contexts. These insights are evaluated through the lens of modern empirical research in facial symmetry, sexual dimorphism, and beauty perception.

Graceful Aging in the Bust of Hadrian: Reflections for Modern Anti-Aging Surgery Ethics.

Roman imperial portraiture served not only to project authority but also to communicate cultural and philosophical values. Emperor Hadrian's busts are notable for expressing visible signs of aging-deliberate departure from the ageless idealism of prior emperors such as Augustus. This paper examines how Hadrian's sculpted image embodies a vision of graceful aging and considers its relevance to modern anti-aging surgery ethics.

The Aging Process of the Mortal Version of Aphrodite.

When Aphrodite promised Helen to Paris, she was offering a mortal version of herself, Helen of Sparta. Thereafter, Helen represents an echo of divine beauty trapped in a mortal frame. This paper explores the implications of her aging, delving into the contrast between the eternal and the ephemeral.

Metamorphosis of Aging Depicted in Ovid's Exile Poetry.

Ovid (43 BCE-17/18 CE), the Roman poet known for Metamorphoses , offers in his later exile works a profound reflection on the experience of aging-particularly facial aging-as a form of mythic transformation. Written during his banishment to Tomis on the Black Sea, Tristia and Epistulae ex Ponto express physical deterioration, alienation from one's reflection, and the loss of erotic and poetic identity. These poems provide a unique literary anatomy of aging, bearing relevance for contemporary esthetic and reconstructive surgery.

Beauty Constrained, Aestheticized Suffering, and Post-Traumatic Survival: A Case of a War-Prize.

This paper reinterprets the figure of Briseis in Homer's Iliad as a powerful archetype of constrained beauty and post-traumatic survival. Traditionally framed within the male heroic narrative, Briseis has been reduced to a voiceless prize-her beauty both praised and possessed, yet never her own. Through classic sources and modern cultural parallels, this editorial explores how beauty, when aestheticized under violence and captivity, becomes a double-edged symbol: it both elevates and silences the sufferer.

The Case of Paris and Helen Through Time, Society, and Anti-Aging Medicine.

This study revisits the myth of Paris and Helen through the interdisciplinary lenses of classical chronology, social norms, and modern aesthetic medicine. By reconstructing key generational markers from Greek myth, the paper estimates that Helen was ~28 to 33 years old and Paris 45 to 55 years old at the time of her abduction to Troy-revealing a significant 12 to 25 year age gap often overlooked in popular portrayals. Although Helen, a married mother, would have been considered a matron in Bronze Age society, Paris-already mature at the time of the Judgment of Paris-would be seen as a romance-gray figure, well beyond the ideal warrior age.

Idealized Beauty Based on the Concept of "Electio" in the Context of Plastic Surgery.

The concept of electio, rooted in the artistic tradition of selecting and combining ideal features from multiple models to create a composite beauty, offers valuable insights into modern plastic surgery practices. This study explores the historical origins of electio, particularly in the works of Zeuxis and Bellori, and examines its implications for contemporary aesthetic medicine. Zeuxis' painting of Helen of Troy epitomized electio by synthesizing the best features from several women, emphasizing perfection over individual authenticity.

Lessons from foreign military surgeons in the Korean War: advancing trauma surgery and preparing for future conflicts.

Purpose: The Korean War (1950-1953) significantly advanced military medicine, with foreign military surgeons playing a pivotal role in transforming trauma care under extreme conditions.

Methods: Resources such as PubMed, JSTOR, and reports from participating nations formed the basis of this study. A thorough comparative analysis was performed to examine the similarities and differences in medical practices between the United Nations Command and North Korean forces.

From Aphrodite to Algorithm: Assessing the Unassessable.

This paper explores the evolving efforts to quantify beauty, tracing its path from mythological ideals to modern algorithms. Inspired by the legendary face of Helen of Troy-the mortal echo of Aphrodite-whose beauty "launched a thousand ships," the authors interrogate whether beauty, once considered divine and ineffable, can now be assessed with scientific precision. Historical attempts to define beauty, from Polykleitos's canon to the golden ratio and Vitruvian symmetry, have shaped artistic and medical ideals.

Where I Stand: A Surgeon on the Metamorphosis-Anamorphosis Spectrum.

The author explored the continuum between 2 transformative concepts; metamorphosis and anamorphosis, and their relevance in plastic surgery, cosmetology, and body modification. Metamorphosis involves deep, structural change, evoking profound and often irreversible transformations, akin to those in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Anamorphosis is rooted in Renaissance art and involves surface-level, perceptual shifts dependent on the viewer's angle, as seen in optical illusions like Hans Holbein's The Ambassadors.

Portrayal of the Idealized, Mythical Beauty of Medieval Europe: Isolde the Fair in Tristan and Isolde.

The legend of Tristan and Isolde is a quintessential medieval European romance that delves into themes of fate, passion, and the tragic consequences of forbidden love. Central to this narrative is Isolde the Fair, whose beauty is portrayed as both otherworldly and divine. Her allure transcends mere physical appearance, embodying an idealized, mythical beauty that surpasses human boundaries.

"Warning" Through the Lens of Antiaging and Plastic Surgery.

The aim of this study is to analyze the poem and painting "Warning" through the lens of antiaging and plastic surgery. Jenny Joseph's poem "Warning" and Ann Sutherland's painting "Warning" were analyzed. As a plastic surgeon, one might view this as a challenge to the profession's emphasis on restoring youthfulness.

A Plastic Surgeon's Plan for an Old Man of Dignity: Nestor, an Idealized Image of Aging in Greek Literature.

I infer characteristics about the morphology of Nestor, the wise and seasoned warrior from The Iliad and The Odyssey, and develop treatment plans for a man who is aging gracefully and with dignity. Nestor might have lived beyond 100 years, with his active involvement in leadership, warfare, and governance. Descriptions and artwork from ancient Greece depict Nestor with features such as age and physical decline, white or gray hair, reliance on a staff, a dignified posture, and a thoughtful facial expression.