Chapter 2 Series: Rejuvenation: Beyond the Skin.

Facial Contouring and Expression

The human face is a masterpiece of contours and volumes that play together to create a unique identity. However, over time, this symphony of shapes and curves changes, resulting in a face that may look different from our younger years. Understanding how facial volume and contour change over time is essential to properly address aging and facial rejuvenation.

Facial Volume and Aging

As we age, we experience a loss of volume in key areas of the face. This loss of volume is due to several factors:

  1. Degradation of collagen collagen and elastin: These proteins are essential for maintaining firm and elastic skin. With age, they diminish, leading to a loss of volume and firmness.
  2. Subcutaneous fat loss: Facial fat, which once gave the face a full, youthful appearance, diminishes or shifts over time.
  3. Bone changes: As mentioned earlier, facial bone structure changes with age, which can result in a reduction in volume.

Facial Contouring and Aging

With the loss of volume comes the change in facial contours. Areas that were once well-defined, such as the cheekbones or jawline, may become less pronounced. Sagging of the skin, along with loss of volume, can also lead to the formation of folds, furrows, and jowls.

Rejuvenation: Restoring Volume and Contouring

In the world of cosmetic medicine and surgery, there are a variety of treatments for treatments available to restore facial volume and contour. Dermal fillers, for example, can be used to replenish volume in specific areas, while lifting procedures can help redefine facial contours.

The combination of treatments medical estheticians such as botulinum toxin type A, facial fillers, peeling, lipofilling, PRP, laser, or hifu and plastic surgery such as facelifts, blepharoplasty, neck lifts, jowl liposuction, ultrasonic rhinoplasty, and upper lip lifts tailored specifically to individual needs, can provide results that rejuvenate and refresh the facial appearance.

The Facial Muscles: Architects of Expression

The human face is an emotional canvas, and its muscles are the brushes that paint every smile, frown, blink and expression of surprise. Facial muscles, often underestimated in their complexity, play a vital role in nonverbal communication, allowing us to express an infinite range of emotions and reactions.

The Underlying Muscular Orchestra

Unlike other muscles in the body that attach to the bones, many facial muscles facial muscles are inserted directly into each other and into the skin. This allows them to move the skin with precision, creating the subtle and varied expressions we know.

Eye muscles: The orbicularis oculi, for example, controls blinking and allows us to close our eyes tightly.

Mouth Muscles: Muscles such as the orbicularis oris, buccinator, and risorius play a key role in speaking, smiling, frowning, and kissing.

Muscles of the nose and eyebrows: The corrugator supercilii allows us to frown, while the procerus and nasalis affect the movement of the nose and the area between the eyebrows.

Forehead muscles: The frontal raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead, showing surprise or concern.

 

Expressions and Emotions

The ability to move these muscles with precision has been fundamental in human evolution. The facial expressions are a universal form of communication that transcends language and culture. A frown or a smile has similar meanings around the world, and this ability to convey emotion has been essential to human interaction and cooperation.

Beyond Emotions: Health and Wellness

Facial muscles also have importance in medicine and health. La facial paralysisfor example, may result from conditions such as Bell’s palsy Bell’s palsywhere the normal function of the facial muscles is affected. In addition, the study of facial muscles is essential in cosmetic surgery and facial reconstruction procedures.

The tone and position of our facial muscles change over time, affecting our expressions and appearance. Procedures such as toxin botulinum can be helpful in smoothing and rejuvenating the face by treating these muscles.

The next time you smile, surprise yourself, or frown, remember the complex network of muscles that work in harmony to make those expressions possible. These muscles are more than just tools of expression; they are the bridge between our inner emotions and the outside world.

The aging process is multifaceted and goes beyond the skin. By considering bone structure, facial volume and contour, and facial muscles and their evolution over time, we can better understand how and why our appearance changes with age. For those interested in facial rejuvenation, it is essential to consider these changes and seek treatments that address the face holistically.

When looking for the best plastic surgeon in Mallorca or the best cosmetic surgery clinic, it is advisable to take the proper advice and evaluate the references of each of them. If you need help, you can contact contact with us and get your appointment now.

 

Sources:

Mendelson, B., & Wong, C. H. (2012). Changes in the Facial Skeleton With Aging: Implications and Clinical Applications in Facial Rejuvenescence. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Shaw Jr, R. B., & Kahn, D. M. (2007). Aging of the midface bony elements: a three-dimensional computed tomographic study. Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 119(2), 675-681.

Foreword Chap. 1 Chap. 2