Effect of the aging process on columella-labial, naso-mental and facial angles and how to apply it in clinical practice.

Backgroud: Aging is the result of the interplay of changes occurring in the facial skeleton, ligaments, muscles, adipose tissue, and skin (1), and these changes befall each mentioned structure at a different pace, start in each individual at a different age, and differ between ethnic background. (4) It changes directly the measurements of the face angles, making the face more concave and flattened aspect, while the young face presents a more convex and rounded aspect. Female skulls had an increase in all transverse facial widths and depth of the middle face with increasing age. Therefore, aging is consequence of progressive changes through intrinsic and extrinsic factors (5) and different methods can be used to assess and diagnose these changes.

Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate facial angles and their aging changes.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed with a total of 1213 Caucasian female patients in the author's private clinic. The angles evaluate age-related changes were analyzed: facial, naso-mental, and columella-labial angle. Photograph analysis program Vectra 3D (Canfield) was used to perform the anthropometric assessment of the angles, and after data collection, the analysis was performed statistics.

Results And Conclusion: We could conclude angles analyzed change with age, while two angles increase (naso-mental and facial angle), the other decreases (columella-labial angle). The study reinforces the principle of an objective clinical anthropometric assessment of facial angles as a relevant guide for a more appropriate treatment plan for the doctor to perform aesthetic procedures in order to restore a youthful face.