Reflections on woman’s beauty

Aim of the study was to determine, how important it is – not only for women – but also for all those physicians, who deal with aesthetic medicine, to define beauty. Author places it in historical and social context, allowing to outline its impor-tance and position in contempo-rary world of values. Study was designed as systematic review of literature and scientific publications. It is obvious that it is not easy to define beauty – especially if human body is taken under consideration. If we analyse the issue respecting vast cultural and historical background, its univocity and universal character tend to dissolve. Author proposes short review of history of beauty regarding definitions, with respect to its cultural and social aspects. He presents the attempts of relating beauty to proportion and symmetry – starting from Leo-nardo da Vinci\'s works, passing through other artists of Renaissance, to conclude by presenting contemporary con-cepts. He proposes to look at issue through personal experien-ces, cultural circle, in which one grew up, social impact, not to forget natural order, conformity with common beauty canons and – last but not least – transient fashion and trends. Having analysed issue thoroughly, author concludes, that it is not only difficult to define beauty because of its relativity to cultural and histo-rical background, but placing it in context of plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine sometimes gives the patiens hope for youth “wonder – prescription”, which may turn out to be deluding and unrealistic.