RA Facial Markings

What do facial markings do?

affect physical appearance and gives each of us our individual look

What are the three main types of facial markings?

• Wrinkles

• Grooves

• Folds

Define wrinkle

(furrow, sulcus) – A crevice in the skin bordered by adjacent elevations.

Define groove

An elongated depression on a relatively level plane or surface.

Define fold

An elongated prominence adjoining a surface.

Define facial markings

The “characteristic” lines (either natural or acquired), wrinkles, grooves, cords and dimples of the face and neck.

How many natural facial markings are there?

9

How many acquired facial markings are there?

11

Define natural facial markings

The markings which are present at birth, meaning they are hereditary.

Define acquired facial markings

Those markings that most often develop throughout life as a result of the repetitious use of certain muscles.

Define hereditary

The genetic predisposition for “similarities” to our parents, siblings and other family members.

List the natural facial markings

1. Oblique Palpebral Sulcus

2. Nasal Sulcus

3. Nasolabial Fold

4. Philtrum

5. Anguli Oris Eminence

6. Anguli Oris Sulcus

7. Labiomental Sulcus

8. Submental Sulcus (Furrow)

9. Dimples

Describe the philtrum

Vertical groove located medially on the upper (integumentary) lip.

Describe the nasolabial fold

• Projection of cheek adjacent to corners of mouth

• Extends from superior part of posterior margins of the wing of nose and the side of the mouth

Describe the nasal sulcus

The indentation where the cheek starts, lateral to the wings. Lies between the wings and the nasolabial fold.

Describe the oblique palpebral sulcus

Groove inferior from medial eye area, moving laterally downward.

Describe the angulus oris eminence

• Prominence at the lateral end of the lips

• Found outside & slightly above corner of mouth

Describe the angulus oris sulcus

• Groove at each end of mouth

• Found immediately below each corner of mouth at line of closure

Describe the labiomental sulcus

• Junction of lower “fleshy” lip and superior chin area

• Appears as a transverse furrow

Describe the submental sulcus

• Junction of inferior chin and submandibular area

• Appears as an elongated, transvere furrow

• Found under base of chin

Describe dimples

• Depression of lateral cheek or chin

• Round or elongated

How are acquired facial markings acquired?

• Age

• Environment

• Muscle Striation/Action

• Position of the Body

• Condition of the Body

Acquired markings increase with age due to:

• Loss of muscle mass

• Skin looses elasticity and stretches

• Skin care techniques

What is the main environmental factor that affects most people?

Exposure to the sun

What can excessive amounts of sun do?

• Darken skin

• Cause more lines and wrinkles

• Make skin firmer and less supple

What are some other environmental factors other than the sun?

• Smoking

• Chemical exposure

How does muscle action and striation affect acquired facial markings?

Repetitious use creates firmer, better developed muscles. This common knowledge is one reason many people choose to workout.

• The reverse is also true if muscles are not worked.

• Unused muscles can:

  • Soften and sag

  • Atrophy

How does position of the body affect acquired facial markings?

• Gravitational pull affects our bodies just like anything else.

  • Skin will fall or sag downward.

• Standing erect the direction of sagging is inferior.

• Lying supine the direction of sagging will be posterior and lateral

How does condition of the body affect acquired facial markings?

• Changes in weight

  • Weight gain can lessen or remove facial markings and will strain/stretch the skin.

  • Weight loss can cause sagging and/or excessive wrinkling

• Illness

  • Edema

  • Emaciation

• Trauma

  • Decomposition

  • Burns

  • Drowning

  • Accidents or incidents of blunt force

What is the relevance of facial markings and their changes?

Such alterations to facial markings (whether from illness, weight changes, trauma or positioning) must be reproduced during restoration and/or cosmetizing efforts.

List the acquired facial markings

1. Nasolabial Sulcus

2. Transverse Frontal Sulci

3. Interciliary Sulci

4. Optic Facial Sulci

5. Superior Palpebral Sulci

6. Inferior Palpebral Sulci

7. Bucco-Facial Sulcus

8. Mandibular Sulcus

9. Labial Sulci

10. Platysmal Sulci

11. Cords of the Neck

Describe the nasolabial sulcus

Origin is superior border of wing of nose extending to side of mouth. (starts as the nasolabial fold and becomes an acquired sulcus as it gets used more)

Describe the transverse frontal sulci

• Furrows crossing forehead

• Caused by manipulation of the occipitofrontalis muscle

Describe the interciliary sulci

• Vertical and/or transverse furrows between the eyebrow.

• Vertical = Contraction of corrugator

• Transverse = Contraction of procerus

Describe the opic facial sulci

• Furrows at the corner of the eye

• “Crows-feet” Wrinkles

Describe the superior & inferior palpebral sulci

Superior: Furrows of the superior borders of the upper eyelid

Inferior: Furrow of attached border of the inferior eye

Describe the bucco-facial sulcus

Vertical furrow of the cheek

Describe the mandibular sulcus

• Furrow beneath jawline

• Rises vertically on the ckeek

Describe the labial sulci

• Vertical furrows of the lips

• Extends from red lip to fleshy lip

Describe the platysmal sulci

• Transverse dipping furrow of the neck

  • Shallow

  • Lateral

Describe the cords of the neck

• Vertical prominences of the neck

  • Lateral, submenta

What is the importance of facial markings in general to the embalmer?

Facial markings are crucial to the embalmer and restorative artist. If a person is to look natural their facial markings in death must resemble their facial markings in life.