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Most people have plastic surgery to make themselves more beautiful.

And while cosmetic work may result in a more youthful face, it could also improve what people think of a person's character. 

Having a face lift or getting rid of bags under the eyes makes a woman more likeable, feminine and attractive to others, according to the research.

Having plastic surgery can make a woman more likeable and attractive to others, according to the research. Pictured is reality star Heidi Montag before plastic surgery (left) and after (right)

The first ever study found that after going under the knife, those who have certain procedures are perceived as having greater social skills and are more attractive and trustworthy.

The US research compared people's perceptions after a woman had one or more of the following procedures; a face lift, upper and lower eye lifts, brow lift, neck lift and chin implant.

And the results matter, say the researchers, as facial appearance is rooted in human evolution, with previous studies suggesting that judging a person based on their appearance boils down to survival.

Professor Michael Reilly, of Georgetown University School of Medicine, said: 'Our animal instinct tells us to avoid those who are ill-willed and we know from previous research that personality traits are drawn from an individual's neutral expressions.'

While cosmetic work may result in a more youthful face, it could also improve what people think of a person's character. Pictured is Renee Zellweger in 2013 (left) and 2014 (right). She is widely suspected to have had surgery but this hasn't been confirmed

Actress Kathy Griffin is seen before her surgery on the left and after surgery on the right.  The results matter, say the researchers, as facial appearance is rooted in human evolution, with previous studies suggesting that judging a person based on their appearance boils down to survival

The study involved taking portraits before of 30 white women before and after cosmetic surgery - and then measuring responses from 170 people.

For each picture they reviewed, they were asked to rate their perception of the women's attractiveness and femininity, and personality traits such as extroversion, likeability, social skills, risk-seeking behaviour, aggressiveness and trustworthiness.

No reviewer knew if plastic surgery had been performed- but following the procedures there was an improvement in scores for social skills, likeability, attractiveness and femininity.

A trend toward trustworthiness also was seen.

Professor Reilly said lower eye lifts led to the best reviews after surgery.

A lower eye lift is performed to remove bags under the skin that cause the eyes to look puffy, or to correct wrinkles.

It is said it can help change a sad, down-turned appearance to look more upbeat and happy.

Face lifts yielded the second best ratings.

Pictured is Donna Andersen, who took part in the study, before (left) and after (right) her eye lift. After the surgery, Ms Andersen was seen as more feminine, attractive, more extrovert and with better social skills

This procedure is performed to remove baggy skin – usually around the eyes, mouth and jaw line – and also smooth the skin, and reduce lines and wrinkles.

An earlier psychological study showed that many people look at the eyes when judging attractiveness and trustworthiness, which could be why it was these procedures yielded the most positive results.

Professor Reilly added: 'This may explain why the patients who had a lower eyelift were found to be significantly more attractive and feminine, and experienced improved trustworthiness scores.' 

The researchers couldn't find a statistically significant factor that would lead people to rate the faces less favourably.

However, some patients were rated for increased aggressiveness and risk-taking after surgery.

Professor Reilly said: 'Some might say that is negative, but others may want that look.

'The comprehensive evaluation and treatment of the facial rejuvenation patient requires an understanding of the changes in a person's perceived aura that are likely to occur with surgery beyond just the traditional measures of age and attractiveness.

'It's reasonable to expect that patients would like to know how each surgical procedure could affect others' perceptions of their personality traits.

'As we gain more specific knowledge about what these changes in perception are, we will be able to improve outcomes for our patients.'

The study was published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.

Barbara Diehl is pictured before (left) and after (right) her lower eye lift and face lift. The study found she was seen as more attractive, more risk-taking and as having better social skills after the operation