The science of attraction can be hard to predict, and it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that attracts us to someone. It might be their sense of humor, their confidence, or we might simply like the way they look. And more specifically, when it comes to someone’s face, women are drawn to certain traits including scars, as they might keep them intrigued.
1. Facial scar, as a sign of strength and bravery.
It was previously assumed that in Western cultures scarring was an unattractive facial feature, while in non-Western cultures they were perceived as a sign of maturity and courage. However, in a recent study, scientists have found that Western women consider slight facial scars on men to be attractive, as they associate them with strength and health.
In fact, the assumption that scarring is a sign of bravery is a view shared by the Yanomami tribe in Brazil and Venezuela, who use face-paint to accentuate scars that result from ritualized club fights designed to test a man’s endurance.
2. Scar bearers, mostly popular for a short-term fling.
Men with scars might be more alluring to women, the idea being that these rugged-looking dudes have a risk-taking personality or above average masculinity than those sweet-faced boys with the smooth skin. However, those tough-looking types appeared to be only popular for a short-term fling, while those who were scar-free were thought of as more caring and gentle, and consequently perceived as better marriage material.
3. Scars, as bad boy image, made famous in movies and series.
On a different note, TV made the bad-boy image very romantic and attractive, and the edge of danger can be a thrill. For instance, in Lethal Weapon 3, when Rene Russo’s character gives medical treatment to a wounded Mel Gibson, the resulting I’ll-show-you-mine-if-you-show-me-yours is both hysterical and intriguing.
Moreover, there’s also the famous scene in Jaws where the crazy captain, played by Robert Shaw, and oceanographer played by Richard Dreyfus start proudly comparing their shark-bite scars. Not to mention the TV shows like Vikings, where bare-chested, scarred-up dudes have become a hit.
