The Basic Vocabulary of Facial Rejuvenation
Over the courses of our lives, our faces are moving almost constantly. Unfortunately the ceaseless workout to which we subject our facial muscles and skin can often take a toll. As we get older, the loss of elasticity and volume in the tissues that make up the face can cause the skin to sag and wrinkle, often making the face appear old and worn. Although every face ages differently, there are certain specific areas of concern that seem to occur in the majority of cases. Understanding the terminology associated with these common signs of facial aging can help you to communicate your hopes and expectations with your doctor during your plastic surgery consultation more effectively and ultimately help you to achieve more satisfactory plastic surgery results.
Crow’s Feet (Canthal lines): Fine lines that can develop along the sides of the eyes, extending outward. They are often caused by smiling or squinting, and can be exacerbated by excessive sun exposure. Botox® cosmetic injections can temporarily relive the appearance of Crow’s Feet by relaxing and smoothing the muscles that cause them to appear.
Frown Lines (Glabellar lines): Vertical wrinkles (or “dreaded elevens”) that can appear between the eyebrows at the top of the nose, often creating the appearance that one is concerned or upset. They can also be temporarily erased with injections of Botox® or addressed as part of a brow lift procedure.
Eyelid Ptosis: Sagging and puffy eyelids can convey the appearance of sleepiness and inattention. A blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, can remove excess sagging skin and fat deposits and give the eyes a wider, more youthful appearance.
Laugh Lines (Nasolabial folds): Deep facial folds that stretch from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth like parenthesis. They are often best treated with a targeted mini-facelift procedure, specifically designed to lift and smooth the lower third of the face or with injectable facial fillers, like Juvéderm® and
Smile Lines (Marionette lines): Long vertical lines that extend from the corners of the mouth downward to outline the chin. They may give the impression of being dissatisfied or scornful and can also be effectively treated with a lower face lift or injectable facial fillers
Perioral Lines: Small, vertical wrinkles that form over the upper lip and below the nose, making the upper lip appear dry and cracked. These are often best treated by subtly increasing the volume of the lips with injectable facial fillers.
Worry Lines (Forehead furrows): Deep horizontal wrinkles that form across the forehead are a result of the natural sagging of the skin that occurs with time. Mild worry lines may be alleviated with Botox®, while deeper one may require a brow or forehead lift.
If you have additional questions about the progression of facial aging, or would like to consult with one of our board certified plastic surgeons about any of the cosmetic plastic surgery procedures we perform at Atlanta Plastic Surgery, please contact us at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices to schedule a consultation. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
