The science behind the ‘better side’ – and how to find yours

From humble beginnings that date all the way back to 1839 (yes, really), the selfie has today become commonplace. In the 186 years in which we’ve been turning the camera on ourselves, we’ve gotten it down to an art – so much so, that you can’t help but feel disappointment when you see your ‘true’ self captured in a tagged photo taken by somebody else.

It’s no surprise then that scientists have discovered that almost all of us have a better side. To put this to the test, I took a selfie, instinctively turning my left side (the viewer’s right) towards the camera.

Published in the Journal Frontiers in Psychology, the study was conducted by Annukka Lindell, a senior lecturer in experimental neuropsychology at the La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. After analysing 2000 selfies, the study found that the majority (82.5%) favoured one side with most opting for the left cheek (41%). Only a tiny 8% had no clear preference.

“It all comes down to subconscious self-awareness and facial asymmetry,” explains Dr Mehri Pourkand, aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr Mehri Aesthetics on why a better side emerged for the majority. “Most people have one side that looks slightly more expressive, symmetrical, or flattering, and the camera exaggerates these differences. Straight-on shots can often highlight every minor asymmetry.”

Scrolling through my camera roll revealed selfie after selfie with my left side prominently featured, unconsciously hiding my uneven jaw – probably imperceptible to everyone else who is used to seeing an accurate representation of my face. In fact, we’re so used to seeing our faces mirrored, that it can warp our reality. “When we send patients their before-and-after photos, sometimes they don’t see the improvement as clearly as we do,” Dr Mehri adds. “”When we flip the photo, so it reflects what they see in the mirror, they tend to be more positive.”

The findings from the study suggest that your preferred side can even reveal facets of your personality. “While it’s speculative, some theories suggest that the side of the face we choose to show in photos could reflect underlying personality traits or preferences,” explains Dr Tatiana Mandavia, clinical director at Doctors Tatiana + Rishi Advanced Aesthetics. “The brain’s right hemisphere controls the left side of the face and is often linked to creativity and emotional expression. So, someone who prefers their left side might subconsciously be more comfortable showing emotion or subconsciously trying to appear warmer or more expressive.”

She continues, “Those who favour their right side might be influenced by the brain's left hemisphere, which is more analytical and structured, as they might be presenting a more ‘controlled’ or composed image.”

That said, the science behind your better side could be as simple as facial asymmetry. “Those can strongly influence our preference for a particular angle, regardless of any ‘brain dominance’ theories,” Dr Tatiana says.”

According to Dr Emma Cunningham – aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr Emma Clinics – the side you sleep on can also impact which side you determine is the better side. “It’s one of those small, unconscious choices that can end up having a visible impact over time,” she says. “When you consistently sleep on one side, that side of your face is more likely to experience compression against the pillow which can contribute to things like wrinkles, skin laxity, and puffiness. Many people might instinctively prefer the ‘fresher’ side, so the side we sleep on less might end up being the one we feel more confident about showing in selfies.”

So, if you’re not sure which side is your better side, how can you find out? Start snapping and see what feels natural. “Start by taking multiple pictures, one showing your left side, one of your right, and one straight-on,” says Dr Emma. “Flip them using a mirror or a camera setting so you can see how others view you. Once you’ve got your photos, you can ask a few friends which one looks the most natural or flattering and there’s usually a clear favourite.”