Moellhoff, Nicholas

AbstractObjectiveTo the knowledge of the authors, no data about the reproducibility and accuracy of 3‐dimensional surface imaging of the face using a whole‐body scanner are available. Thus, the objective of this investigation was to assess the reproducibility of facial scans acquired using a whole‐body imaging device.Material and MethodsThis investigation investigated 220 3‐D scans of a total of 22 healthy volunteers (with a mean age of 29.36 years). Two consecutive 3‐D images using a Vectra WB360 of the volunteers were obtained utilizing a whole‐body imaging device. Predefined distances in the face were performed in each scan and compared. Furthermore, surface deviation between two consecutively captured scans was assessed.ResultsThe distance with the smallest statistical significance was found to be at the nose with p = 0.998, while the biggest statistical significance was found in the midface with p = 0.658. The area with the biggest surface deviation between the superimposed scans was the neck with a root mean square (RMS) of 1.62 ± 1.71, and the area with the smallest surface deviation was the forehead with a RMS of 0.17 ± 0.05.ConclusionThe whole‐body imaging device investigated in this study can be utilized to capture the face and provides enough accuracy to compare scans. Even though not directly investigated, it can be hypothesized that the error caused by repositioning the patient between a baseline and a follow‐up scan will not be too big to consider measurements performed with the whole‐body imaging device as impractical.

AbstractBackgroundThe orientation of facial ligaments changes with increasing age due to the loss of bony support. Soft tissue filler injections placed in close proximity to facial ligaments can alter their orientation to help achieve an improved and younger aesthetic appearance.ObjectiveTo assess the anatomic and aesthetic effects of a standardized injection with soft tissue filler placed directly inferior to the orbicularis retaining ligament in the infraorbital region.MethodsA total of 163 patients with signs of infraorbital aging were treated with a standardized soft tissue filler injection into and in close proximity to the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL). 2D frontal images of the infraorbital region were rated by eleven blinded and independent raters with regards to the aesthetic appearance of the infraorbital region before and after the standardized injection treatment.ResultsThe aesthetic appearance of the entire infraorbital region (lid‐cheek junction) was rated before and after the treatment. The severity of the tear trough (medial aspect of the infraorbital region) as well as the hollowing of the lateral aspect of the infraorbital region also was rated before and after the treatment. Aesthetic improvement was statistically significant when evaluated by the blinded raters, the treating physician, and the patients. All the results were “very much improved” compared to baseline.ConclusionThe effectiveness of this injection technique is thought to be due to the strategic placement of soft tissue filler that helps to reposition facial ligaments that have changed their orientation during the aging process.

AbstractBackgroundThe tear trough is one of the most challenging facial regions for soft-tissue filler injections. A thorough understanding of the underlying facial, muscular, and vascular anatomy is crucial to perform safe and effective tear trough injectable treatments.ObjectivesThe authors sought to evaluate the location and function of the angular vein in the tear trough in 3 different facial expressions: repose, smiling, and max. orbicularis oculi contraction.MethodsTwenty study participants with a mean age of 48.3 years and mean BMI of 24.5 kg/m2 were investigated via functional ultrasound imaging. The diameter of the angular vein and the velocity and direction of venous blood flow were analyzed in repose, smiling, and during max. orbicularis oculi contraction.ResultsThe angular vein was identified in 100% of the cases to travel inside the orbicularis oculi muscle (intra-muscular course) within the tear trough, whereas the angular artery was not identified in this location. The distance between the angular vein and the inferior orbital rim was (lateral to medial): 4.6 mm, 4.5 mm, 3.9 mm, and 3.8 mm. The caudally directed blood flow was in repose 10.2 cm/s and was 7.3 cm/s at max. orbicularis oculi muscle contraction; however, no blood flow was detectable during smiling.ConclusionsThe diameter and the venous blood flow of the angular vein varied between the 3 tested facial expressions. Based on these anatomical findings, the deep injection approach to the tear trough is recommended due to the intramuscular course of the angular vein.

AbstractBackgroundMinimally invasive treatments as soft tissue filler injections can enhance the appearance of the jawline. This prospective, single‐center study investigated aesthetic outcome, patient satisfaction, adverse events, and volume changes after jawline contouring using standardized reporting scales and objectifiable 3D surface analysis.MethodsA total of 30 patients (1 male and 29 females, mean age: 57.2 (±8.7) years) were investigated. Patients underwent jawline augmentation using a highly cross‐linked hyaluronic acid–based soft tissue filler. Three‐dimensional surface imaging was performed after 2 weeks, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Furthermore, the aesthetic results and the occurrence of complications were investigated after two weeks, and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.ResultsThe surface‐volume coefficient (SVC) had an average of 1.10 ± 0.2 after 14 days, 0.95 ± 0.1 after 3 months, 0.83 ± 0.1 after 6 months, 0.74 ± 0.1 after 9 months, and 0.63 ± 0.1 after 12 months. A significant correlation was revealed between time of measurement and measured SVC with rp = −0.761, p < 0.001. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference between the measured SVC and the different time points of measurement with p < 0.001. The data revealed strong aesthetic improvement with results most often reported as “very much improved” according to the 5‐point GAIS after 3, 6, and 9 months, both by the investigator and by the patients. A 12‐month follow‐up analysis showed “much improved” results in a majority of cases.ConclusionThe result of this investigation showed that jawline enhancement using minimally invasive soft tissue filler injections produces durable, safe results that are generally rated as very satisfying from a patient's and investigator's perspective over a time period of 12 months.

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the mobility of the midface and the separate contributions of the superficial and deep fat compartments is essential for natural esthetic outcomes following soft tissue filler or fat grafting procedures. A study was designed that used ultrasound imaging to demonstrate in vivo visualization and quantification of distances and movements in the midface.MethodsA total of 48 midfaces of 24 healthy Caucasian volunteers, all naïve of esthetic procedures, (22 females; 46.85 (9.8) years; 22.83 (3.1) kg/m2) were scanned using 18 MHz ultrasound imaging. Distances between bony landmarks (inferior orbital rim, infraorbital foramen) were used as markers to measure the cranial movement of the superficial (superficial nasolabial and superficial medial cheek fat compartment) and the deep (deep pyriform space, deep medial check fat compartment, deep lateral cheek fat compartment) midfacial fat compartments between resting and smiling facial position.ResultsThe superficial midfacial fat compartment moved, on average, 3.7 mm (p < 0.001) cranially, whereas the deep midfacial fat compartments moved, on average, 0.1 mm (p > 0.05) during smiling. No gender differences in mobility were identified (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe results obtained are in line with previous cadaveric investigations and revealed, in a highly statistically significant fashion, that the superficial midfacial fat compartments move in cranial direction whereas the deep fat compartment did not display similar positional changes. These results help to guide facial injectable treatments and to understand why, in the midface, a deep supraperiosteal approach should be favored when augmenting the deep midfacial fat compartments.

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of soft tissue filler procedures in the nasal region has been reported. Concomitant with demand, the number of complications has risen due to the difficulty in administering filler in a region where soft tissue layering is complex.ObjectivesThe authors sought to describe the layered soft tissue arrangement of the nose as it relates to the underlying arterial vasculature and to define safer zones for nasal filler enhancement.MethodsA total of 60 (28 males and 32 females) study participants were investigated with respect to their layered anatomy in the midline of the nose utilizing ultrasound imaging. The presence and extent of the layered arrangement was examined as well as the depth of the arterial vasculature.ResultsIn the mid-nasal dorsum, a 5-layer arrangement was observed in 100% (n = 60) of all investigated cases, whereas it was found to be absent in the nasal radix and tip. The 5-layer arrangement showed an average extent of 26.7% to 67.5% in relation to nasal length. The nasal arteries coursed superficially in 91.7% of all cases in the nasal radix, in 80% in the mid-nasal dorsum, and in 98.3% in the nasal tip.ConclusionsSoft tissue filler administration in the nose carries the highest risk for irreversible vision loss compared with any other facial region. The safety of soft tissue filler rhinoplasty procedures is enhanced by knowledge of the layered anatomy of the nose, the location and depth of the major nasal vasculature, and employment of maneuvers to decrease the risk of blindness.

Abstract Background The objective assessment of beauty remains challenging despite ongoing research efforts. A new method of objectively determining the aesthetic appeal of body features by analyzing gaze patterns and eye movements has recently been investigated. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess, by means of objective eye-tracking technology, differences in the gaze patterns of observers presented with standardized 3-dimensional images showing different degrees of breast asymmetry. Methods A total of 83 Caucasian study participants with a mean age of 38.60 (19.8) years were presented with 5 images depicting varying degrees of breast asymmetry. In addition to the assessment of eye movements, participants were asked to rate the aesthetic appeal and the asymmetry of the breasts on a 5-point Likert scale. Results Overall, the data showed that participants’ rating of the breasts’ aesthetic appeal was inversely related to the level of asymmetry. The mean [standard deviation] time until fixation was shortest for the image depicting the greatest breast asymmetry (50 cc) at 0.77 [0.7] seconds (P &lt; 0.001). In addition, the mammary region was also viewed longest in this image at 3.76 [0.5] seconds (P &lt; 0.001). A volume difference of 35 cc between breasts deflected the observers’ gaze significantly toward the larger of the asymmetric breasts (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Surgeons should focus on achieving symmetric breast volume (ie, differences &lt;35 cc between breasts) to avoid noticeable asymmetry with regard to breast size.

Abstract Background Facial aging is a multifactorial process that involves all tissues of the face, including skin, muscles, fat, ligaments, and bone. Whereas robust evidence is available for age-related changes of bone and facial fat, the influence of age on facial muscle activity is poorly understood. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the motor unit action potential of facial muscles by utilizing surface-derived, noninvasive electromyography in young and old healthy volunteers. Methods The study investigated a total of 32 healthy volunteers with a mean [standard deviation] age of 42.6 [19.6] years (range, 21-82 years) and a mean BMI of 23.9 [2.7] kg/m2 (range, 18.5-29.7 kg/m2) by performing surface-derived, noninvasive facial electromyography. Nine facial muscles were investigated bilaterally, resulting in a total of 1632 measurements of the signal, baseline noise, and signal-to-noise ratio of these muscles. Results The results of the study revealed that age does not significantly influence the signal (P = 0.234), the baseline noise (P = 0.225), or the signal-to-noise ratio (P = 0.432) of younger individuals (&lt;30 years) vs older individuals (&gt;50 years) in a gender- and BMI-matched statistical model. Exceptions were the zygomaticus major muscle (reduced activity), procerus muscle (increased activity), and corrugator supercilii muscle (increased activity). Conclusions The results of this facial electromyography study may help to increase the understanding of facial aging. Future studies need to reproduce the results presented herein to further increase our understanding of facial aging.

Abstract Background Our understanding of the functional anatomy of the face is constantly improving. To date, it is unclear whether the anatomic location of the line of ligaments has any functional importance during normal facial movements such as smiling. Objectives The authors sought to identify differences in facial movements between the medial and lateral midface by means of skin vector displacement analyses derived from 3-dimensional (3D) imaging and to further ascertain whether the line of ligaments has both a structural and functional significance in these movements. Methods The study sample consisted of 21 healthy volunteers (9 females and 12 males) of Caucasian ethnic background with a mean age of 30.6 (8.3) years and mean BMI of 22.57 (2.5) kg/m2. 3D images of the volunteers’ faces in repose and during smiling (Duchenne type) were taken. 3D imaging-based skin vector displacement analyses were conducted. Results The mean horizontal skin displacement was 0.08 (2.0) mm in the medial midface (lateral movement) and was −0.08 (1.96) mm in the lateral midface (medial movement) (P = 0.711). The mean vertical skin displacement (cranial movement of skin toward the forehead/temple) was 6.68 (2.4) mm in the medial midface, whereas it was 5.20 (2.07) mm in the lateral midface (P = 0.003). Conclusions The results of this study provide objective evidence for an antagonistic skin movement between the medial and lateral midface. The functional boundary identified by 3D imaging corresponds to the anatomic location of the line of ligaments. Level of Evidence: 4

Abstract Background Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic facecovers have become a common sight. The effect of facecovers on the gaze when looking at faces has not yet been assessed. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate any potential differences in eye movement pattern in observers exposed to images showing a face without and with a facecover to identify if there is truly a change of gaze when identifying (masked) facial features. Methods The eye movement of 64 study participants (28 males and 36 females) with a mean [standard deviation] age of 31.84 [9.0] years was analyzed in this cross-sectional observational study. Eye movement analysis was conducted based on positional changes of eye features within an x- and y-coordinate system while two images (face without/with facecover) were displayed for 8 seconds. Results The results of this study revealed that the sequence of focusing on facial regions was not altered when wearing a facecover and followed the sequence: perioral, nose, periorbital. Wearing a facecover significantly increased the time spent focusing on the periorbital region and also increased the number of repeated eye fixations during the 8-second visual stimulus presentation. No statistically significant differences were observed between male and female participants in their eye movement pattern across all investigated variables (P &gt; 0.433). Conclusions The altered eye movement pattern caused by wearing facecoverings that this study has revealed suggests that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, aesthetic practitioners might consider developing marketing and treatment strategies that principally target the periorbital area.