Facial Anatomy: The Foundation of Aesthetic Surgery
The face is one of the most complex and expressive parts of the human body. Our face reflects our identity, expresses our emotions, and shapes our social interactions. It is a perfect structure composed of numerous muscles, bones, nerves, and soft tissues.
In the field of aesthetic surgery, mastering facial anatomy is essential for successful results. At Estherian Clinic, expert surgeons like Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli and Dr. Mehmet Yıldıran, graduates of Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, aim for optimal results for their patients by considering the intricacies of facial anatomy with their education and years of experience.
In this article, we will examine the basic components of facial anatomy and its importance in aesthetic surgery in detail.
Basic Layers of the Face
Vertically, the face consists of five main layers: https://plasticsurgerykey.com/applied-facial-anatomy/
| Layer | Content | Importance in Aesthetic Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue | Surface appearance, signs of aging |
| SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) | Layer of muscle and connective tissue | Primary target of facelift operations |
| Muscle Layer | Mimetic muscles, masticatory muscles | Dynamic expressions, botox applications |
| Fat Compartments | Deep and superficial fat compartments | Targets for facial fat injection |
| Bone Structure | Cranial and facial bones | Facial contours, implant placement |
Regions of the Face and Important Structures
1. Forehead and Eyebrow Region
The forehead forms the wide flat area at the upper part of the face. In this region:
- Frontalis muscle: Raises the eyebrows and creates forehead lines
- Corrugator supercilii: Furrows the brow and creates vertical lines in the center of the forehead
- Procerus muscle: Creates horizontal lines at the root of the nose
Aesthetic Importance: The anatomy of this region is critically important in eyebrow lift and forehead reduction surgeries.
2. Periorbital Region
The area around the eyes is one of the most sensitive and expressive regions of the face:
- Orbicularis oculi: Ring-shaped muscle surrounding the eye
- Orbital septum: Fibrous layer that holds the eye fat tissue
- Orbital fat pads: Fat compartments in the eye socket
Aesthetic Importance: Proper evaluation of the orbital septum and fat pads determines the aesthetic result in eyelid surgeries.
3. Midface and Cheeks
- Zygomatic bone: Known as the cheekbone and determines facial contour
- Facial fat compartments: Deep and superficial structures that give volume to the face
- Maxilla: Upper jaw bone, provides midface projection
Aesthetic Importance: Loss in fat compartments with aging causes depressions in the midface. Volume can be restored to these areas with facial fat injection.
4. Nose
The nose is located in the center of the face and is a very important structure in facial aesthetics:
- Nasal bones: Bone structures forming the bridge of the nose
- Upper and lower lateral cartilages: Cartilages shaping the dorsum and wings of the nose
- Septum: Cartilage structure dividing the nose in the middle
Aesthetic Importance: Understanding these anatomical structures well in rhinoplasty operations is essential for achieving successful results both functionally and aesthetically.
5. Lips and Perioral Region
- Orbicularis oris: Ring-shaped muscle surrounding the lips
- Vermilion border: Line where the lip color meets the skin
- Philtrum: Groove extending from the bottom of the nose to the center of the upper lip
Aesthetic Importance: Proper evaluation of these structures is necessary for lip filler and lip lifting procedures.
6. Chin and Lower Face
- Mandible: Lower jaw bone, determines face profile
- Platysma muscle: Wide superficial muscle extending from the neck to the chin
- Mental muscle: Muscle at the tip of the chin
Aesthetic Importance: The anatomy of this region is important in chin liposuction and chin implant procedures.
Importance of Facial Anatomy in Aesthetic Surgery
Understanding facial anatomy in depth is critically important in aesthetic surgical interventions in the following aspects:
- Natural Results: Interventions respectful of anatomy provide natural-looking results.
- Prevention of Complications: Protection of important nerve and vascular structures reduces the risk of complications.
- Long-lasting Effect: Correct interventions targeting deep anatomical structures provide more permanent aesthetic results.
- Personalized Approach: Each face’s anatomical structure is different and requires personalized planning.
Estherian Clinic Approach
At Estherian Clinic, our expert team led by Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli develops treatment plans specific to each patient with mastery of facial anatomy. In our clinic, established in 2020, we have performed hundreds of successful aesthetic surgery operations.
At Estherian, aesthetic operations are carried out by an experienced team of over 100 people who have worked together for many years. This team coordinates all processes from pre-operative preparation to post-operative care, allowing doctors to focus only on the main planning and operation.
Our doctors gain continuous experience by performing 1-3 operations daily and minimize complication rates. We closely monitor the healing process of patients with face-to-face follow-up immediately after surgery and remote monitoring afterward.
Effects of Aging on Facial Anatomy
Facial anatomy is affected by aging in different ways:
Skin Changes
- Loss of elasticity
- Thinning
- Sun damage and pigmentation
Soft Tissue Changes
- Decrease or displacement of fat tissue
- Decrease in muscle tone
- Relaxation of SMAS structure
Changes in Bone Structure
- Resorption in maxilla and mandible
- Loss in orbital margins
- Reduction in zygomatic bones
As a result of these changes:
- Nasolabial folds deepen
- Marionette lines form (bulldog appearance around the lips)
- Jawline becomes indistinct
- Neck skin sags
Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli develops personalized treatment plans for the most natural and lasting results by evaluating each patient’s facial anatomy with years of experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the golden ratio in facial aesthetics?
A: The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio expressed as 1:1.618, found to be aesthetically most attractive. This ratio between various measurements in facial anatomy provides a natural and harmonious appearance.
Q: What can be done to delay aging?
A: Using sun protection, eating healthily, avoiding smoking and alcohol, exercising regularly, and applying skin care routines can delay aging.
Q: At what age can aesthetic procedures be started?
A: The age to start aesthetic procedures varies from person to person and according to need. Generally, preventive treatments can be considered from the 20s, while surgical procedures can be considered at later ages if needed.
Conclusion
Facial anatomy is a complex structure that needs to be understood in depth to achieve successful results in the field of aesthetic surgery. The harmonious working of different layers such as skin, fat tissue, SMAS, mimetic muscles, and bone structure determines the aesthetic appearance and function of the face.
At Estherian Clinic, our expert team led by Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli and Dr. Mehmet Yıldıran offers personalized treatment plans for the most natural and long-lasting results by evaluating each patient’s unique facial anatomy.
You can contact us to get more information about facial aesthetics or to create an appointment.
External Resources:
Clinical Anatomy – Surgical Anatomy of the Facial Region
American Society of Plastic Surgeons – Facial Anatomy and Aging
PubMed – Importance of Facial Anatomy in Aesthetic Surgery
