The Aesthetic Triad – How Beauty Creates Meaning
What Is the Aesthetic Triad?
Coined by neuroscientists Anjan Chatterjee and Oshin Vartanian, the aesthetic triad is a model explaining how the brain processes beauty through three interconnected systems: sensory-motor (perception and physical response), emotion-valuation (pleasure and meaning), and knowledge-meaning (memory and context). This model shows us that beauty isn’t just seen—it’s felt, interpreted, and stored. When we experience beauty, we don’t just react with our eyes—we react with our whole system. The brain compares the visual stimulus to emotional memory and personal meaning, forming a layered response. This is why a perfectly shaped brow or balanced jawline can move someone to tears: it resonates with identity, safety, and self-perception.
Aesthetic Medicine as Multisystem Therapy
When aesthetic care addresses form, proportion, and cultural meaning, it engages all three domains of the aesthetic triad. Thoughtfully placed filler, facial harmonization, or regenerative skin work not only enhance features—they restore coherence. Patients often report that they “feel more like themselves,” even when changes are subtle.
Clinical Example
A nonbinary patient undergoing facial refinement treatment expresses feeling seen for the first time. Though the changes are conservative, the emotional impact is profound. The treatment aligned their physical presentation with their internal identity—activating a cascade of emotional validation, memory integration, and embodiment.
Beauty, Brain, and Longevity
Coherence between what we see and what we feel reduces cognitive dissonance—a chronic stressor. Reducing internal conflict has been shown to lower cortisol, improve mood, and support long-term health outcomes. When our appearance aligns with our internal story, longevity pathways are enhanced.
Feminist Reflection
Aesthetic freedom allows every individual to define beauty on their own terms. The aesthetic triad reminds us: beauty is not just visual—it’s emotional, cognitive, and deeplypersonal. When we reclaim beauty as meaning-making, it becomes a tool of power, not performance.
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About Us
Beauty and the Brain is the integrative aesthetic philosophy of Fresh Faces Rx, led by Dr. Jodee Anderson, a Stanford-trained physician, certified life coach, and one of the most trusted voices in ethical aesthetic medicine today. As a licensed physician in the state of Oregon, Dr. Anderson has dedicated her career to blending neuroscience, self-perception, and aesthetic integrity. At Fresh Faces Rx, we believe that self-care is healthcare, and beauty—when rooted in autonomy, compassion, and science—is a powerful path to healing, longevity, and personal transformation. All care is safe, ethical, and personalized. We follow Oregon Medical Board ORS/OAR regulations and hold the highest standards of integrity and patient safety.