Plastic surgeons turn a camera toward themselves to document signs of aging.

At this year’s annual meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, a doctor named Val Lambros shared findings from a unique study of facial aging: one that evaluates photos of other plastic surgeons.

In 2005, Dr. Lambros began taking photos of other plastic surgeons at annual scientific meetings. Each year, he would take another photo of the same surgeon, which allowed him to document the changes in each subject’s facial appearance.

His work, titled “Longitudinal Study of Facial Aging” shares findings from nearly a decade of documentation. While the study is just beginning, the findings already provide significant insight into the the ways in which aging and weight gain can change one’s appearance.

The study may continue for a generation, Dr. Lambros explained; “At the end, we should have a better and more scientific understanding of how the face actually ages.”

Photo by Paul Reynolds on Flickr