Social media users have recently been fixated on whether male actors’ heads get larger with time. This speculation, though it might seem odd, does indeed have scientific backing.
A case in point is a research study conducted by Michael Richard, an Adjunct Assistant Professor and Ophthalmologist at Duke University’s Department of Ophthalmology. The study explored whether human skulls continue growing with age. The research involved examining the CT scans of 100 individuals and found that certain parts of their heads did change shape, if not grow, as they aged.
Particularly, facial bones like those in the forehead tended to grow forward. Other bones, like the cheekbones, tended to recede, potentially amplifying the appearance of forehead expansion.
Another factor contributing to the perceived head enlargement in men is the receding hairline that many men experience as they age, which can highlight forehead expansion.
Natural “structural rearrangements” that occur with age, including fat redistribution in the face, can create pockets that plump the forehead, temples, cheeks, and areas around the eyes and mouth. Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing outlet further noted that ears elongate with age as internal cartilage grows, and noses can appear longer as the internal cartilage weakens.
A 1991 Washington Post article concluded that actors, particularly male stars, seem to have larger heads to begin with, which fill screens better than smaller heads. This aids in their on-camera appearance and might be why their heads appear to grow larger with age.
While the phenomenon of head expansion seems more noticeable in male actors, Duke University’s research found that changes in facial structure were more dramatic in women. However, male changes might be more noticeable due to the difficulty of disguising male hairlines and faces with makeup or hairpieces compared to females.
In conclusion, it’s important to note that everyone’s heads may grow as we age and, as the social media users suggest, perhaps it’s a sign of growing wisdom!