HFA age sex
Age and Sex
Some features are more common to males than females or to females than males. Examples
- Males – higher hairlines
- Females – fuller lips
However, they are not exclusive, and the analysis and inclusion of those features is the same regardless of sex.
Children have less rateable features than adults. As we age the survival instinct shows itself more and more on the face. The older the person is, the easier their face is to analyse. Young babies can look very similar, and you will need to examine each feature very carefully to see the differences.
Commonly rates areas for babies and young children are –
- Hairline shape
- Forehead shape
- Eye size, position and shape
- Nose size
- Mouth size
- Lip size
- Chin ball
- Chin shape and angle
- Ear angle and size
- Asymmetry
Adults have the same areas, but the following can be added
- Bridge shape (young babies have similar bridges which begin to change with age – this is due to the need for a flattened bridge for breast feeding)
- Nose shape on profile
- Teeth
- Lines
Children – page 113 The HFA Workbook
Children can rarely sit still although this improves as they get older. Work with the parent to help hold the child and take as many as 20 or 30 photos to complete the required images. Distract them with toys and make a game of the photo session. Many children love to see their images on your computer which can be a reward for being compliant. However, this tactic only works with some!
Lines
While it is true that everyone develops more lines as they age these lines are not all in the same part of the face, the same type of lines nor do they show as deeply in one part of the face as another. Different lines will be discussed under the lines section but do not assume that every older person is the same – this is as erroneous as thinking all people from all races look the same – when you look properly this isn’t true.
Looking and seeing
Although everyone looks at faces every day, facial analysis will train you to look at faces differently. Like anything in life you only see what you are looking for. We see the difference in facial structure easily because we are looking for it. In the same way an artist can see the variances in a painting you will learn to see the variances in a face through looking and classifying.
In time the process will become second nature. Movies and days out will never be the same. You will be looking at noses, eyes and chins and seeing the incredible variety on display. You will need to learn to look at others discreetly!