Method to improve the structure of the face
20230034710 · 2023-02-02
Inventors
- André Vieira Braz (Rio de Janeiro, BR)
- Leonardo Sanchez Secundino (Jaguariúna, BR)
- Luiz Felipe de Oliveira Stehling (Jaguariúna, BR)
Cpc classification
A61L2300/112
HUMAN NECESSITIES
C08L5/08
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
C08L5/08
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
A61L2300/236
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61L27/50
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A61B5/1072
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A61B5/1171
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods of improving structure of a face in a patient, more particularly by classifying the facial shape in order to allow the design of a specific treatment plan directed to each type of face shape.
Claims
1. A method to improve structure of a face in a patient comprising: c. improving the contours and proportions of the face based on the shape of the face by injecting a filling volume of one or more fillers; and d. blending and smoothing any areas of the face injected by correcting any remaining sulcus and grooves.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more fillers are an association of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein injecting a filling volume of the one or more fillers is performed using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannula.
4. A method to improve structure of a face in a patient, wherein the face comprises a middle third portion and a lower third portion, the method comprising: i. determining shape of the face; j. performing an oblique analysis of the face; k. performing a lateral analysis of the face; l. determining a length of the face; m. identifying a mandible profile of the face; n. determining an order of areas of the face to be injected in accordance with a face assessment after steps a) to e); o. cleaning the face with antiseptic solution; and p. injecting a filling volume of one or more fillers to be distributed in the proportion of 30-40% in the middle third portion of the face and 60-70% in the lower third portion of the face.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more fillers are an association of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein injecting a filling volume of the one or more fillers is performed using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannula.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein step (a) to (e) includes analyzing proportions of the face and a correlation between bizygomatic horizontal lines to bigonial lines of the face.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the shape of the face is an oval shape and the order of areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the shape of the face is a heart shape and the order of areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the shape of the face is a round shape and the order of the areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein the shape of the face is an angular shape and the order of the areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Facial Shapes
[0042] The face shape is the first thing captured by the sight at a greatest distance when another person is seen. It reflects aspects of beauty, sexual dimorphism and age.
[0043] Smooth facial egg-shaped contours, named the oval female face suggests a youthful feminine face and is globally understood as beautiful.sup.2,7, whereas a masculine face is more angular and sharper.sup.8.
[0044] Although the oval shape is recognized as attractive among different cultures and ethnicities, other female facial shapes are also beautiful, once uniqueness is attractive, the concept of beauty is subjective and involves a group of combined harmonious features together. In fact, as an example, the contemporary female facial beauty values more angled and defined lines.
[0045] Aging is associated with a volume shift from the upper to the lower face, transforming the oval shape into a rectangular one.sup.7. There is decrease of volume in periorbital, malar and sub-malar areas, in addition to increase of volume in jowl, determining the loss of definition in the mandible contour and face-neck transition.sup.9.
[0046] The classifications of facial morphology have mainly arisen from the studies in anthropology and forensic medicine.sup.10,11. Different models of facial shapes have been used over the time, varying from 7 to 10 categories.
[0047] However, using a classification with a smaller number of specific facial shapes is easier to understand and more practical in the definition of the aesthetic treatment plan as provided by the present invention.
[0048] In the present invention, 4 face shape models will be used as per
[0049] Moreover, it is also important to mention that the shapes as used in the present invention were defined taking into account the middle and lower thirds of the face, instead of the whole face.
[0050] The first reason for this approach is that the hair implantation line and the hair style may confuse the evaluation and consequently, the classification of the proper face shape.
[0051] Secondly, although the upper third is key to the rejuvenated and attractive appearance, the goals of the treatment with fillers do not considerably change among different morphologies of the face.
[0052] The endpoints are a rounder forehead in woman and a sharp oblique frontal in man, whereas the temples should be slightly concave or flat in both genders.
[0053] Some patients may have facial asymmetries that can lead to a different shape in each side of the face, which is important to be identified in the facial assessment.
Methodology
[0054] The method to improve the structure of the face of the present invention comprises the steps as follows: [0055] a) A step based on the facial shapes, improving the contours and proportions of the face, to enhance the patient's beauty; [0056] b) An additional step which aims to blend and smooth the areas treated, correcting remaining sulcus and grooves.
[0057] The method aiming to improve the structure of the face, using the 4 face shapes—oval, heart, round and angular is the illustrated in
[0058] In step (a), the method of the present invention systematizes the diagnosis of facial shapes, facilitating the planning of a method to improve the face structure with injectable fillers in an effective way, which promotes improvement of the proportions and shape of each face, in an individual way.
[0059] The facial assessment helps to identify priorities since the shape of the face reflects its structure in terms of projection bone and subcutaneous volume.
[0060] In younger patients, the aesthetic goals may be beautification, through the enhancement of the facial features or correction of constitutional deficiencies, along with early intervention to rejuvenation.
[0061] For rejuvenation treatments, the aesthetic goals may be restoring of facial volume or lifting, as well as beautification.
[0062] Whatever is the case, the general objective with the method of the present invention is to improve the structure of the face.
[0063] The facial shape does not necessarily need to be changed in an aesthetic approach with fillers. However, when doing so, the structure of the face may be improved, favoring the maintenance of better facial volume and contours over time.
[0064] Each face shape has a different structure and thus ages differently. A didactic illustration of the aging process of different face shapes is presented in
[0065] In this context, the use of filler aims to enhance the features of the face shape, improving the appearance and contributing to the aging well, as well as to structure into another face shape. The oval face shape can be structured into a more angular one, with caution to keep the femininity, for example.
[0066] Further, the heart shape face may be treated in order to become more oval or angular.
[0067] The round face can be treated to become closer to an oval face. And finally, the angular face can be smoothed into an oval shaped face.
[0068] Moreover, for the method of the present invention, the depth of appropriate injection is medium or deep subcutaneous or supraperiosteal, depending on the anatomical area.
[0069] In this context, fillers are used to enhance the characteristics of the face shape, improving the appearance and providing a more favorable and harmonious aging, as well as to restructure the face in another shape.
[0070] The method uses micro-cannulas, in retrograde injection and, often with fan technique (forward and backward movements that can be from the bottom to the top or from the top to the bottom), for better product distribution of the fillers, in order to mimic the anatomical structure to be treated and replenish volume, for example, in superficial and deep facial fat pads.
[0071] In the midface the appropriate injection depth is subcutaneous and supraperiosteal. The possible layers of injection in the mental and pre-jowl areas are supraperiosteal and subcutaneous, whereas the jawline and jaw ramus should be treated subcutaneously.
[0072] Furthermore, the more suitable fillers are the high elasticity or high density hyaluronic acid gels or composite gel matrix of hyaluronic acid (70%) and calcium hydroxyapatite (30%). Preferably, the method of the present invention uses a 22G cannula.
[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method to improve the structure of the face comprises: [0074] a) determine the face shape; [0075] b) perform oblique analysis; [0076] c) perform lateral analysis [0077] d) identify the length of the face; [0078] e) identify the mandible profile; [0079] f) prioritize the areas to be injected in accordance with the face assessment after steps a) to e); [0080] g) cleaning the whole area of the face with antiseptic solution and extending such cleaning to adjacent areas; [0081] h) injecting a filling volume of fillers to be distributed in the proportion of 30-40% in the middle third of the face and 70-60% in the lower third.
[0082] In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, step (h) is performed using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannulas, which is 40 to 50 mm in length. Therefore, a large area can be reached with a single entry point, less bruising, and lesser chance of vascular injuries and complications.
[0083] The method further comprises an additional step of face refinement which is performed by applying smoother and more fluid hyaluronic acid gels that are suitable for a more superficial injection on the subcutaneous layer (
[0084] Said additional step of face refinement uses the hyaluronic acid gels to smooth the areas, to correct any sulcus or shadows left.
[0085] Regarding steps (a) to (e), the facial shapes are recognized and individualized through anthropometric analyzes of facial proportions and the correlation between the bizygomatic horizontal lines (from the middle third of the face, which measures the width of the cheeks area), compared to the bigonial lines (distance between the angles of the jaws).
[0086] The bizygomatic facial line (
[0087] Representative embodiments of the invention are provided below:
Embodiment 1. Method to improve the structure of the face comprising: [0088] a. a step based on the facial shapes, improving the contours and proportions of the face, to enhance the patient's beauty; [0089] b. an additional step which aims to blend and smooth the areas treated, correcting remaining sulcus and grooves.
Embodiment 2. Method to improve the structure of the face comprising: [0090] a. determine the face shape; [0091] b. perform oblique analysis; [0092] c. perform lateral analysis [0093] d. identify the length of the face; [0094] e. identify the mandible profile; [0095] f. prioritizing the areas to be injected in accordance with the face assessment after steps a) to e); [0096] g. cleaning the whole area of the face with antiseptic solution and extending such cleaning to adjacent areas; [0097] h. injecting a filling volume of fillers to be distributed in the proportion of 30-40% in the middle third of the face and 70-60% in the lower third.
Embodiment 3. Method of embodiments 1 or 2 wherein the fillers are an association of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.
Embodiment 4. Method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3 wherein the injection of the fillers is made using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannula.
Embodiment 5. Method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4 wherein step (a) to (e) includes analyzing the facial proportions and the correlation between the bizygomatic horizontal lines in comparison with the the bigonial lines.
Embodiment 6. Method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4 wherein step (a) is an oval shape face and the prioritized areas of step (f) are middle third, then lower third from medial to lateral.
Embodiment 7. Method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4 wherein step (a) is a heart shape face and the prioritized areas of step (f) are middle third then lower third from medial to lateral.
Embodiment 8. Method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4 wherein step (a) is a round shape face and the prioritized areas of step (f) are middle third then lower third from medial to lateral.
Embodiment 9. Method of any one of embodiments 2 to 4 wherein step (a) is an angular shape face and the prioritized areas of step (f) are middle third then lower third from medial to lateral.
[0098] Further embodiments of the present invention are as follows:
Embodiment A1. A method to improve structure of a face in a patient comprising: [0099] a. improving the contours and proportions of the face based on the shape of the face by injecting a filling volume of one or more fillers; and [0100] b. blending and smoothing any areas of the face injected by correcting any remaining sulcus and grooves.
Embodiment A2. The method of embodiment A1, wherein the one or more fillers are an association of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.
Embodiment A3. The method of embodiment A1 or A2, wherein injecting a filling volume of the one or more fillers is performed using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannula.
Embodiment A4. A method to improve structure of a face in a patient, wherein the face comprises a middle third portion and a lower third portion, the method comprising: [0101] a. determining shape of the face; [0102] b. performing an oblique analysis of the face; [0103] c. performing a lateral analysis of the face; [0104] d. determining a length of the face; [0105] e. identifying a mandible profile of the face; [0106] f. determining an order of areas of the face to be injected in accordance with a face assessment after steps a) to e); [0107] g. cleaning the face with antiseptic solution; and [0108] h. injecting a filling volume of one or more fillers to be distributed in the proportion of 30-40% in the middle third portion of the face and 60-70% in the lower third portion of the face.
Embodiment A5. The method of embodiment A4, wherein the one or more fillers are an association of hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxyapatite.
Embodiment A6. The method of embodiment A4 or A5, wherein injecting a filling volume of the one or more fillers is performed using a 22G blunt-tipped micro-cannula.
Embodiment A7. The method of any one of embodiments A4-A6, wherein step (a) to (e) includes analyzing proportions of the face and a correlation between bizygomatic horizontal lines to bigonial lines of the face.
Embodiment A8. The method of any one of embodiments A4-A7, wherein the shape of the face is an oval shape and the order of areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
Embodiment A9. The method of any one of embodiments A4-A7, wherein the shape of the face is a heart shape and the order of areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
Embodiment A10. The method of any one of embodiments A4-A7, wherein the shape of the face is a round shape and the order of the areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
Embodiment A11. The method of any one of embodiments A4-A7, wherein the shape of the face is an angular shape and the order of the areas of the face to be injected are the middle third portion, then the lower third portion from a medial to lateral direction.
[0109] The method of the invention comprises defining the order in which the fillers should be injected. That is, depending on the assessment made of the shape of the face, the beautification or rejuvenation will be treated by injecting fillers in the specific areas, as per the examples below.
EXAMPLES
[0110] After the face shape is determined in the frontal view, it is important to perform the oblique and lateral analysis, to identify the length of the face (short or long) and the mandible profile (I, II or III). The evaluation of these two aspects provides additional help in defining the priorities of the treatment. For example, in the presence of a short face and a profile type II due to a deficiency in the mandible projection, addressing the lower third of the face to correct the proportions of the face will give a better balance which is crucial to the best aesthetic outcomes.
[0111] In the examples below, the structure of the face (bone and soft tissue) was classified in 1—fragile, 2—moderate and 3—good.
Example 1: Treatment Strategy for the Oval Face Shape
[0112] This shape has good proportions and symmetry. It has a wider midface in comparison to the lower face, with a subtle and soft narrowing towards the chin. There is a moderate facial support in the middle and lower thirds of the face. [0113] Strength: 2—proportional middle and lower faces [0114] Weakness: [0115] 2—moderate structure of the midface [0116] 2—moderate structure of the lower third
[0117] Thus, in the aging process, the weakness in the middle and mainly in the lower face leads to jowling and loss of facial contour. For beautification or rejuvenation, specific concerns should be addressed, replacing volume in the malar and zygomatic areas. Moreover, the structure of the face may be enhanced treating with fillers the entire mandibular line, including the mandibular angle (see
[0119] It is possible to structure into a more angular shape or the treatment with injectable filler may be used to enhance the oval, aiming to improve the facial contours.
[0120]
[0121]
Example 2: Treatment Strategy for the Heart Face Shape
[0122] In this facial shape the bizygomatic distance is larger than the bigonial distance, with a wider middle third and a deficiency in the lower third, with a remarkable narrowing in the chin region. The light projection is on the midface, along with shadowing in the jawline and mandible angle.
[0123] In the aging process, there is a tendency to lose contour in the lower third, presenting considerable laxity in this area. Diversely, the middle third of the face shows less obvious changes, with loss of volume mainly in its anterior and medial portions. [0124] Strength: 3—good structure of the middle third [0125] Weakness: 1—fragile structure of the lower third
[0126] The main points for the treatment strategy with injectable fillers (see
[0131]
[0132]
[0133]
Example 3: Treatment Strategy for the Round Face Shape
[0134] This face shape has smooth lines, is wider in the middle third, along with a rounded jawline and short mentonian area. [0135] Strength: 2—moderate structure of the midface [0136] Weakness: 1—fragile structure of the lower third
[0137] The treatment goal is to try to elongate the face, giving it structure and support, favoring its lifting and avoiding augment in the midface volume (see
[0142] Depending on the patient's preference and characteristics, the modification of the face shape can be to an oval, but also to a more angular one. The later can be achieved by shaping straighter angles, using a greater volume of product in comparison to the oval face shape.
[0143]
[0144]
[0145]
Example 4: Treatment Strategy for the Angular Face Shape
[0146] This facial shape has straight lines and a prominent angular jawline. There is a strong structure in the lower third of the face. It must be highlighted that the bizygomatic distance in the feminine angular face is still wider than the bigonial distance, though in the masculine face the bizygomatic distance can be equal or narrower than the bigonial distance.
[0147] The angular shape is usually described in the literature in two distinct morphologies.sup.11,12: square and rectangular. They are similar in the angles and the difference between them is in the facial length, being the rectangular shape longer. Therefore, the classification used in the present invention is the angular face morphology. The longer faces should be improved in the middle third width, providing more volume in the malar prominence and zygomatic areas.
[0148] This morphology of the face usually ages well in its lower third. [0149] Strength: 3—good structure of the lower third [0150] Weakness: 2—moderate or 1—fragile structure in the midface
[0151] The beautification and rejuvenation treatments aim to improve the midface structure, improving the balance of the face (see
[0155]
[0156]
[0157] The method of the present invention for the different face shapes is presented in
[0158] Of note, there is a different approach for each shape, in terms of priorities. For example, the priorities in the heart shape are in the lower face, whereas in the angular shape, the priorities are in the midface. In the round face, the whole jawline is generally not treated.
[0159] The facial beauty cannot be explained by a mathematical formula or through an isolated aspect. Nevertheless, it can be a daily challenge in front of each patient, to propose a technical solution to deliver an aesthetic facial enhancement, beautification and rejuvenation. The assessment must take into account the baseline facial features as well as the patient's subjective self-perception.sup.5. The combination of the outer appearance and the inner spirit constitutes the natural beauty. And the aesthetic treatments can enhance the individual self-image, which impacts in the inner spirit, and in turn improves the self-esteem.sup.3.
[0160] And the basic condition to do so is to be able to improve the ability to understand and diagnose what are the patient needs. This way, it is possible to provide a method to improve the structure of the face for each patient and achieve the best outcomes.
REFERENCES
[0161] Each of the below references is incorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes. [0162] 1. Rhee S C, Lee S H. Attractive composite faces of different races. Aesth Plast Surg. 2010; 34:800-801. [0163] 2. Goodman G J. The oval female facial shape—a study in beauty. Dermatol Surg. 2015; 41:1375-1383. [0164] 3. Sands N B, Adamson P A. Global facial beauty: approaching a unified aesthetic ideal. Facial Plast Surg. 2014; 30(2): 93-100. [0165] 4. Braz A, Sakuma T. Atlas de Anatomia e preenchimento global da face. 2019, la edicao. Ed. Guanabara Koogan. [0166] 5. Shamban Ava. The signature feature: a new concept in beauty. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019; 1-8. [0167] 6. Langlois J H, Reggiman L A, Musselman L. What is average and what is not average about attractive faces? Psicol Sci. 1994; 5:214-220. [0168] 7. Lam S M, Glasgold R, Glasgold M. Analysis of facial Aesthetics as applied to injectables. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015; 136: 11S-21S. [0169] 8. Maio M. Ethnic and Gender considerations in the use of facial injectables: male patients. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015; 136:40S. [0170] 9. Avelar L E T, Cardoso M A, Bordone L S, Avelar L M, Avelar J V M. Aging and sexual differences of the human skull. PLasr Reconst Surg Glob Open 2017; 5:e1297 [0171] 10. Villanueva Sagrado M. Forma y fenótipo facial. Estudios de Antropologia Biológica. 2003; 11:599-616. [0172] 11. Farolch-Prats L, Nome-Chamorro C. Facial countouring by using dermal fillers and botulinum toxin A: a practical approach. Aesth Plast Surg. 2019; 43: 793-802. [0173] 12. Chao Y et al. Pan-asian consensus. Key recommendations for adapting the world congress of dermatology consensus on combination treatment with injectable fillers, toxins and ultrasound devices in Asian patients. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017: 16(7):16-27. [0174] 13. Samizadeh S, Wu W. Ideals of facial beauty amongst the Chinese population: results from a large national survey. Aesth Plast Surg. 2018; 42:1540-50. [0175] 14. Jefferson Y. Skeletal types: key to unraveling the mistery of facial beauty and its biological significance. J Gen Orthod. 1996; 7(2):7-25. [0176] 15. Reis S A B, Abrão J, Capelozza Filho L, Claro C A A. Análise facial subjetiva. R Dental Press Ortodon Ortop Facial. 2006; 11(5) 159-72.