Physical Appearance

Download PDF creates a visual, rasterized copy. Use Print for selectable text and better assistive-technology support.

Traits / Category collection

Physical Appearance

Review the available associations, their supporting evidence and the limits of each result.

Selected sample
Demo Report
In this collection
26 traits
Access
Full report
Associations need context

These reports are for educational and informational purposes. They do not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Consult healthcare professionals for medical decisions.

Genetics, environment and experience can all influence a trait. A statistical association is not a fixed outcome or a definition of a person.

About this category

Physical appearance is the visible expression of our genetic blueprint influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle choices.

Genetic Foundation: Features such as skin tone, eye color, hair texture, facial structure, height, and body build emerge from inherited traits but can be modified by nutrition, sun exposure, and physical activity.

Environmental Factors: Physical appearance is the visible expression of our genetic blueprint influenced by lifelong environmental factors.

Health Impact: While genetics set the foundation, mindful care—like sun protection, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise—helps maintain skin health, posture, and vitality, underscoring the dynamic interplay between nature and nurture in shaping how we present ourselves..

Review your results

Available trait reports

26 traits in this collection.

Physical Appearance

Bunions susceptibility

Hallux valgus (bunions) is a deformity of the joint at the base of the big toe, with strong heritable and biomechanical contributions. GWAS work has identified variants linked to bunion susceptibility, often…

Genetic tendency

Average genetic tendency

Markers
35
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very Low

Arbeeva L 03/04/2020

Physical Appearance

Chin protrusion

Chin protrusion is a heritable facial feature studied as part of overall jaw and face shape genetics. GWAS work on facial morphology has identified variants near development and craniofacial genes that…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Distance between eyeballs

Distance between eyeballs is a heritable facial measurement studied in research on facial morphology. GWAS work has identified variants near genes involved in craniofacial development that influence eye…

Genetic tendency

Average distance between eyeballs

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Cha S 06/19/2018

Physical Appearance

Earwax type

Earwax type (wet versus dry) is one of the simplest single-gene traits in humans, determined by a variant in the ABCC11 gene. The dry-earwax variant is most common in East Asian populations, while wet earwax…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Eruption of permanent teeth

The timing of permanent tooth eruption in childhood varies between people and is partly heritable. GWAS work has identified variants near tooth-development genes (such as KCNJ2 and EDA) linked to differences…

Genetic tendency

Less number of permanent teeth before 14 years old

Markers
2
Studies
2
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Pillas D 02/26/2010

Physical Appearance

Eyelid width

Eyelid width is a heritable facial feature studied in research on inherited differences in face shape. GWAS work on facial morphology has identified variants linked to eyelid dimensions and overall eye shape.…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Finger length ratio

The 2D:4D ratio compares the length of the index finger (2D) to the ring finger (4D). It is studied as a research marker of prenatal androgen exposure. GWAS work has identified variants linked to digit length…

Genetic tendency

2nd and 4th fingers have the average length ratio in your population

Markers
1
Studies
2
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Eriksson N 06/24/2010

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a form of scarring hair loss that mostly affects post-menopausal women, with a frontal hairline pattern. GWAS work has identified variants near HLA and immune genes (such as…

Genetic tendency

Higher frontal fibrosing alopecia susceptibility tendency

Markers
23
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very Low

Tziotzios C 03/08/2019

Physical Appearance

Frontal nasal height

Frontal nasal height refers to the vertical distance from the bridge of the nose to nearby facial landmarks. It is studied in facial morphology research. GWAS work has identified variants near facial…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Hair curl pattern

Hair curl pattern depends on the shape and size of the hair follicle and on cross-links inside the hair shaft. Variants in TCHH (trichohyalin), EDAR, and other hair structure genes have been linked to…

Genetic tendency

Less likely to have straighter hair

Markers
1
Studies
5
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Eriksson N 06/24/2010

Physical Appearance

Iris crypts

Iris crypts are small openings in the front layer of the iris, contributing to overall iris pattern. GWAS work on iris features has identified variants near genes involved in iris development and pigmentation…

Genetic tendency

Only parallel and/or densely packed curly fibers

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Larsson M 08/12/2011

Physical Appearance

Iris nevis

Iris nevi are small pigmented spots in the iris, similar to moles on the skin. Most are benign and stable. GWAS work has identified pigmentation-related variants linked to the presence of iris nevi. This…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Iris patterns

Iris patterns include features such as crypts, Wolfflin nodules, and pigmentation rings. They are studied because they are partly heritable and contribute to overall eye appearance. Variants in pigmentation…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Iris pigmentation rings

Iris pigmentation rings are darker bands of pigment that can appear in the iris, contributing to iris pattern. GWAS work on iris features has identified pigmentation and structural variants linked to ring…

Genetic tendency

Intermediate level of uniformity

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Larsson M 08/12/2011

Physical Appearance

Lower lip height

Lower lip height is a facial morphology measurement studied in research on inherited differences in face shape. GWAS work has identified variants near craniofacial development genes linked to lip dimensions.…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nasal protrusion

Nasal protrusion describes how far the bridge of the nose extends from the face. It is studied as a heritable facial feature. GWAS work has identified variants near genes involved in craniofacial development…

Genetic tendency

Normal odds of having a prominent nasal protusion

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Paternoster L 03/09/2012

Physical Appearance

Nasal tip height

Nasal tip height refers to the vertical position of the tip of the nose, studied in research on facial morphology. GWAS work has identified variants near genes that affect cartilage development and…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nasolabial angle

The nasolabial angle is the angle between the nose and the upper lip. It is studied in facial morphology research and aesthetic surgery. GWAS work has identified variants linked to nasal and lip shape that…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nose bridge breadth

Nose bridge breadth refers to the width of the bridge of the nose. It is one of the most studied features in facial morphology research. GWAS work has identified variants near genes for cartilage and bone…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nose columella inclination

Nose columella inclination describes the angle of the strip of tissue between the nostrils. It is part of nasal morphology research. GWAS work on facial morphology has identified variants linked to columella…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nose size

Nose size includes overall length, width, and projection of the nose, studied in facial morphology research. GWAS work has identified variants near genes involved in cartilage and craniofacial development…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Physical Appearance

Nose tip angle

The angle of the nose tip (relative to the face) is a heritable feature studied in facial morphology research. GWAS work has identified variants near genes involved in cartilage and craniofacial development…

Genetic tendency

Slightly higher odds of increased nose tip angle

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Cha S 06/19/2018

Physical Appearance

Nose wing breadth

Nose wing breadth describes the width of the nostrils (alae). It is a heritable feature studied in facial morphology research. GWAS work has identified variants near craniofacial development genes linked to…

Genetic tendency

Slightly higher odds of wider nasal wing breadth

Markers
1
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Adhikari K 05/19/2016

Physical Appearance

Strabismus susceptibility

Strabismus is a misalignment of the eyes that can affect vision development, especially in children. It has both inherited and environmental contributors. GWAS work has identified variants linked to strabismus…

Genetic tendency

Average genetic tendency

Markers
19
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very Low

Plotnikov D 2019 Jul

Physical Appearance

Sweat tendency

Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) is sweating beyond what is needed for temperature regulation. It can be primary (often inherited) or secondary to other conditions. Genetic research has identified some…

Genetic tendency

Average genetic tendency

Markers
2
Studies
1
Evidence rating
Very high

Endo C 06/12/2018

Physical Appearance

Tooth morphology

Tooth morphology covers heritable features of teeth, including crown shape, cusp number, and root form. GWAS work and population studies have identified variants near tooth development genes (such as EDAR)…

Insufficient data

The markers available in this file do not support a result for this trait.

Markers
0
Studies
0
Evidence rating
Inconclusive, missing DNA markers

85% genetic influence 15% environmental influence

Read the report, then the evidence.

Marker coverage
Available results depend on the markers detected in your DNA file. Missing data can prevent a supported result.
Strength of evidence
Open an individual report to inspect its genes, tested markers, research references and confidence information.
Personal interpretation
Consider the research population and the report's limitations. Population-level findings do not establish a diagnosis or predict an individual's outcome.
DEMO Sample report with example data. Not your results.
SAMPLE REPORT Example DNA profile This is a sample report with example data. It is not your personal report, and the results do not describe you.
Sample data, not your report
Use code for 35% off • Expires Nov 09