The composite average face is attractive. If the composite requires many faces, then the average face becomes more attractive than the individual faces. By contrast, distinctive faces that deviate from the average, such as those with large eyes, are also attractive. This study aimed to clarify whether the average face of male and female lead animated characters with exaggerated facial features is as attractive as the human face or whether the loss of these features through averaging results in a loss of attractiveness and main role character. Average faces were created at five levels of composites (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 faces) and examined for differences in their attractiveness, main role, and supporting role. Multiple comparisons showed no considerable differences for male characters. For female characters, 2 faces were more attractive and more suitable for a main role than 4 or 8 faces. No trend in a particular direction, such as the more number of composites, the more attractive or less suitable for a leading role, was observed. However, for female characters, the largest number of faces (32) tended to have higher attractiveness level than the individual faces. For male and female characters, a positive correlation was found between attractiveness and the degree of main roles, and a negative correlation was found between the degree of main roles and the degree of supporting roles. The findings suggested that the main or supporting role is judged by some cues in the character's facial features.

In recent years, many Japanese women have dyed their hair. Although hair color can significantly change first impressions, little research has been conducted on hair color appropriate for skin tone and hairstyle. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relation between hair style, skin tone, and hair color suitability. The suitability was evaluated by creating stimulus of the combinations of two types of hairstyles (bob and long), seven skin tones (color of average face, low lightness, high lightness, red, yellow, low saturation, high saturation), and five hair color (4-level, 8-level brown, 8-level natural, 12-level brown, 12-level natural). The results showed that regardless of hairstyle or skin tone, the subjects tended to judge 4-level hair as a good match and 12-level hair as a bad match. Hairstyle and skin tone also affect hair suitability, although within the range of this suitability trend. It was shown that bob or high lightness skin suited 8-level hair almost as well as 4-level. The factors that tend to make people evaluate 4-level hair as a good match include the mere exposure effect, while the factors that influence the suitability of skin tone for hair color include color contrast and harmony effects of color schemes.

In order to empower individuals to self-evaluate the effect of daily habit modifications on acne prevention and the state of Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) on the face, research was conducted into a technology capable of visualizing C. acnes solely from facial images captured using visible light. Deep learning methodologies, commonly utilized in the field of engineering, were applied to the practice of visualizing C. acnes with ultraviolet light, a technique used in dermatological fields. A deep-learning model was trained to identify the characteristics between pairs of images, captured by illuminating the face with both ultraviolet and visible light. For the sake of enhancing learning efficiency, procedures for cropping these paired images and for emphasizing areas of C. acnes luminescence in ultraviolet images were examined. As a result of this research, we successfully established a deep learning model capable of visualizing C. acnes using only visible light images without the need for specialized equipment. Through the application of this model in our endeavor to make a difference in everyday lives by redesigning habits, we anticipate contributing to the improvement of quality of life by enabling better habit formation for acne prevention and allowing individuals to regain confidence in their facial appearance.

[Aim] This study aimed to determine whether two types of tongue training affect facial features, such as laryngeal position and lower face area.

[Methods] Women aged 40-59 years were recruited using snowball sampling, and 27 applicants were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two tongue training groups (sheet and resistance groups). They underwent pre- and post-tests to measure tongue pressure, laryngeal position, and mandibular area. For 60 days following the pre-test, participants performed tongue training at home twice a day for approximately 2 minutes per session. A post-test was conducted the day after the training period, and participants were asked to report on their adherence to the training regimen. Analyses included pre-post comparisons of test scores within each group, as well as between-group comparisons of the rate of change in each test score between the sheet and resistance training groups.

[Results] In pre-post comparisons, tongue pressure improved significantly only in the resistance training group, laryngeal position increased significantly in both groups, and mandibular area decreased significantly only in the sheet training group. The rate of change in each index did not differ significantly between the two groups.

[Conclusion] Tongue training raises the relative position of the larynx and decreases the lower facial area, depending on the training method, which may affect facial appearance.

The "Japanese painting (Nihon-ga)" flourished in the Showa pre-war period, where faces were drawn with thin and gray lines and pale colors. With such techniques, however, the ambiguity in Mona Lisa's facial expression of emotions could not be represented.