This article uses excerpts from the chapter of the same name in the Face Anatomy atlas. It is of particular importance for specialists involved in the correction of age-related changes and contouring using fillers. The title “Dangerous triangle of the face” was not chosen by chance; it is in this zone that there are prerequisites of an anatomical and functional nature that can interfere with medical manipulation and cause side effects, including severe ones. Let's look at the topography of this triangle and the reasons for its danger.
Introduction
So, a dangerous triangle of the face. We can describe this zone in this way: the apex of the triangle is located in the glabella area, its legs enclose the nasolabial folds and reach the base, which is located under the lower lip [Fig. 1].
Rice. 1. Dangerous triangle of the face.
The area within this zone is often corrected with filler: just think about glabellar lines, nasal hump correction, nasolabial folds and lip remodeling. The anatomical feature, or originality of this zone, which makes it so “insidious”, lies in its blood supply and especially in the topography of the arteries.
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Triangle and arteries
One of the main arteries in this area is the facial artery, a branch of the external carotid artery. The facial artery, immediately after its origin, goes upward and passes to the face in front of the masticatory muscle, where its pulsation can be determined by palpation. Next, it is directed medially and towards the lips, giving off branches - the superior and inferior labial arteries, then passes under the muscle that lifts the upper lip, and reaches the wing of the nose, where its course becomes superficial and ends with two terminal branches - the arteries of the wing of the nose and the angular . Up to this point, everything is clear and clear, but in reality this is not always the case [Fig. 2].
Rice. 2. Facial artery - angular artery.
I will explain more clearly: there are many works with cadavers that emphasize the fact of the existence of frequently encountered anatomical variations and the place of origin of the facial artery, the course of this vessel and its branches. Often such variations are more the norm than the exception. Therefore, it can be argued that even with in-depth knowledge of anatomy, there is a possibility of complications due to the abnormal arrangement of blood vessels. Therefore, it is necessary to use techniques that help to avoid possible side effects as much as possible.
Folk remedies
Masks with collagen, grape seed oil and myrtle essential oil do an excellent job with the vascular network. Traditional medicine offers the following remedies to get rid of vascular networks on the face:
- A decoction is prepared from chamomile flowers and rowan leaves. To do this, pour two tablespoons of the dry mixture into two glasses of boiling water. Wash your face with the resulting decoction twice a day.
- Parsley and horse chestnut perfectly strengthen the walls of blood vessels. Three tablespoons of the dry mixture are poured with half a liter of water and simmered over low heat for 15 minutes. The broth is filtered and stored in the refrigerator. Twice a day, wipe your face with a cotton swab dipped in a cool broth.
- Tea rose petals are infused in boiling water and a few drops of myrtle essential oil are added. The composition is also used to wipe the face.
You can also use raw potatoes, flaxseed and olive oil and milk with cottage cheese. Masks are prepared from these products, which are applied to the face and kept for 15 minutes. The mask is washed off with warm water.
If folk remedies do not help, then you can use the services of a beauty salon. Professional cosmetologists will tell you how to get rid of vascular networks on the face. For example, one of the options for getting rid of rosacea is phototherapy. With its help, the visibility of the vascular network is noticeably reduced, but small scars and age spots remain.
With ozone therapy, there are practically no scars, the skin looks smooth and toned. The only drawback is that this procedure is quite painful.
Possible side effects
Basically, complications arise not so much due to rupture of a venous vessel, but due to interruption of arterial blood flow due to compression or when the drug is administered into the lumen of the vessel with subsequent embolization of the terminal branches with small fragments [Fig. 3].
Rice. 3. Reasons for the development of skin necrosis. Intravasal injection (top), vessel compression (bottom).
What could happen next? Stopping arterial flow leads to necrosis and tissue death in the blood supply zone of a given vessel. Cases of necrosis of the skin of the wing and tip of the nose, lip tissue and glabella area have been described [Fig. 4–5].
Rice. 4. Necrosis of the tip or wing of the nose.
Rice. 5. Zones of necrosis.
An even more serious risk factor is associated with the fact that the facial artery represents the communication between the external and internal carotid arteries. Its terminal branch, the angular artery, anastomoses with the ophthalmic artery, a branch of the internal carotid artery. It is this connection between the vessels that can lead to embolization of the ophthalmic artery with small fragments of filler and further penetration into the central retinal artery with a possible decrease in vision up to blindness [Fig. 6–7].
Rice. 6. Iatrogenic retinal artery occlusion caused by the injection of fillers.
Rice. 7. Microembolism of the ophthalmic artery: etiopathogenesis.
Dark circles under the eyes
This unpleasant cosmetic defect often worries patients. The causes of black circles under the eyes in women are as follows:
- Acute lack of vitamin C, as a result of which capillaries become fragile and the skin loses its elasticity and density. You can compensate for the lack of this vitamin with fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Often, the causes of black circles under the eyes in women are heredity. In such people, the vessels on the lower eyelids are located too close to the surface of the skin.
- Iron deficiency also leads to dark circles around the eyes. In this case, simply add as many products containing this microelement to the daily menu as possible. These include beef, liver, apricots and apples.
- In addition, the lower eyelids suffer if there is a lack of sleep. Very often, due to an unhealthy lifestyle, swelling or dark circles appear around the eyes. In such cases, it may be advisable to increase the number of hours you sleep and leave as much time as possible for rest.
Traditional medicine advises using masks made from cottage cheese or kefir. Dairy products perfectly brighten the skin and narrow dilated blood vessels. You can apply cold decoctions of medicinal herbs mint or chamomile to your eyelids. Linden flowers brewed as follows have proven themselves to be quite good: two tablespoons of dry raw materials per 1 cup of boiling water. From the resulting composition you can prepare ice for wiping your facial skin. It perfectly tones and improves blood circulation.
Therapeutic strategies to prevent and manage complications
It is obvious that it is necessary to use techniques that minimize the risk of developing these dangerous complications. The text of the atlas describes, area by area, all the precautions and manipulations that must be taken to reduce this risk: the use of a cannula, the depth of injection, the quantity and quality of filler injected, and so on. Pallor of the skin and patient complaints of sudden pain in the injection area are signs that blood flow has stopped in this area. We must be able to control this situation.
All measures are aimed at restoring blood flow: urgent dissolution of the filler (if hyaluronic acid was used), warm compresses, massage, etc. Then there are prescriptions that need to be followed at home: antibiotic therapy to prevent bacterial superinfection, antiplatelet agents, topical medications.
In the introduction to the atlas I placed the inscription
“Only non-practitioners do not make mistakes; only through practice does it become possible to reduce the risk of error.”
If all measures are carried out on time and correctly, the spread of the necrosis zone will be minimal, a large area of skin will be preserved and, therefore, the chance of restitutio ad integrum will be higher.
What diseases can be identified by looking at the skin?
In humans, the skin is the largest organ in both weight and area. One of its main functions is protective. The skin, along with the lungs, kidneys, and intestines, is involved in the excretory function of the body. Immune and metabolic processes and the synthesis of vitamin D occur in it. The skin also plays an important role in the thermoregulation of the body.
Signs of excellent health include glowing, blemish-free skin, shiny, thick hair, and beautiful nails. But when disease intervenes, everything changes, and the first thing to react to the changes that appear is the skin.
So, let's look at what diseases affect the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membrane of the eyes. First, let's look at the changes that are characteristic of the skin itself: color, shape, texture, as well as the appearance of rashes and neoplasms.
The appearance of rashes and neoplasms on the surface of the skin
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects teenagers and people with oily skin. Long-lasting acne after 30 years and additional growth of facial hair may indicate hormonal disorders: polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disorder, metabolic syndrome.
The causes of skin rashes may vary. Sometimes a rash is a reaction to the sun, a new cream or washing powder, but it can also be a manifestation of a viral infection, drug or food allergy.
The skin is the same organ as the heart, liver, stomach or intestines, which means it has its own mechanisms of absorption and interaction with other organs and systems. This process is called intracutaneous interaction. For example, when you see a rash on your skin, you instinctively reach for a cream to apply to the affected area and get rid of the signs of the rash. You get the effect either immediately or after a while. But the real problem is that you risk exchanging your rashes for a disorder of an internal organ or system. For example, migraine, stomach or intestinal upset, increased body temperature and a sudden surge of sweating. Creams or ointments applied to the skin can be absorbed into the general bloodstream and affect the body systemically. This is observed with long-term use of external hormonal ointments. Therefore, always read the instructions carefully if you apply medications to your skin without a doctor's advice.
Moles or nevi
Most of these are nothing to worry about, but checking your skin regularly can help catch cancer before it spreads. When it comes to moles, remember the ABCDE rule: asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution.
If a cut or wound is slow to heal, it may indicate a possible skin infection. Other causes of slow wound healing include a weakened immune system, chronic stress, skin cancer (basal or squamous cell), bleeding disorders, or diabetes.
Changes in skin texture and local changes in the facial area
Dry skin
Aggressive environmental factors contribute to the occurrence of dry skin: dust, exhaust gases, tobacco smoke, poor-quality cosmetics, lack of sleep, overwork; emotional factors: stress, anxiety and depression; time of year - autumn or winter. Dryness and flaking of the skin can be observed with endocrine diseases: diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease.
Itchy skin
This is a fairly common unpleasant sensation that makes you want to scratch the affected area of the skin. Itching can be local or generalized, acute or chronic. The reasons for it can be different: allergies, infections, diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, taking medications.
Chapped and dry lips
Everyone experiences dry or cracked lips from time to time, especially in winter. But sometimes dry lips are a sign of a health problem, such as dehydration, where your body doesn't have enough water. This could be an allergy or a reaction to medications such as steroids.
Skin and its level of hydration
Dehydrated skin will appear older, duller and less elastic than skin that is adequately hydrated. Well-hydrated skin will be smooth, moist and elastic. By not drinking enough water, we cause our skin to lose elasticity, dry out, and ultimately experience deep wrinkles. However, aesthetic considerations are not the most important considerations when it comes to drinking water. Drinking plenty of water reduces the chances of developing kidney stones and also improves metabolism and makes us feel energetic. Dehydration puts pressure on the brain, which can lead to headaches and migraines, as well as brain fog.
"Bags" under the eyes
The space under the lower eyelids sometimes fills with fluid, which can make them appear puffy. Hot, humid weather causes the body to retain more water, while lack of sleep, too much salty food and hormonal changes, kidney disease and heart problems can lead to bags under the eyes. The older you are, the more often this happens, the reason being the weakening and sagging of the muscle that supports the eyelid.
Change in skin color
Chronically red forehead and cheeks can be caused by dilated blood vessels due to a chronic skin condition called rosacea. Extreme redness is also caused by hormonal changes in women, such as menopause. If the skin suddenly turns very red, does not have a normal shade, and this is accompanied by swelling, then this may be an allergic reaction, so consult a doctor. If a “butterfly” rash appears and covers both cheeks, then this is a sign of an autoimmune connective tissue disease - lupus.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin in the armpits and neck is a sign of insulin resistance, a harbinger of diabetes, as well as some endocrine diseases (Addison's disease, Itsenko-Cushing syndrome).
Yellowish skin and mucous membranes of the eyes - most often this is a violation of the liver. This organ removes toxins from the body and breakdown products of red blood cells - erythrocytes. When liver function is impaired, the body removes toxins through the skin.
Yellow spots on the eyelids are called xanthelasmas, which arise as a result of lipid metabolism disorders or are signs of problems with the cardiovascular system.
Melasma - lesions with local hyperpigmentation, are gray-brown spots. These changes appear during pregnancy or when taking certain birth control pills. The spots disappear on their own after the birth of a child or the woman stops taking the pills.
The appearance of depigmented areas may indicate problems with the thyroid gland or a deficiency of zinc and selenium.
Changes in skin appendages: hair and nails
Hair growing where you don't want it is most often a problem for older men. Hair may appear around the ears or eyebrows, and in women, around the chin. In young women, facial hair can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome, elevated androgen levels.
If you lose eyelashes or eyebrows along with your hair, this is called baldness, or alopecia. This happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks your hair follicles, your body has an infection, or your thyroid is not functioning properly.
If you develop discoloration, dark spots, or changes in nail shape or structure, it could be a sign of internal problems, ranging from vitamin deficiencies to lupus and liver disease.
Changes in the circulatory system
Pronounced and bulging veins are not just a cosmetic defect. The condition of the veins is an important indicator of blood circulation in the body. Spider veins or varicose veins in the legs can be a sign of deeper blood flow problems caused by age, weight and genetics. Spider veins on the face, for example, cause excessive tension or rosacea.
Frequent, unexplained bruising and bruising signal a disruption of the circulatory system and manifest itself as fragility of capillaries and venules. The appearance of bruising is partly related to age because the capillaries become closer to the surface of the skin due to the fact that the number of collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis decreases and the skin becomes thinner. Blood thinners may cause bruising.
The skin has great potential for diagnosing various diseases of internal organs and systems. It is a kind of “window into the patient” and helps in diagnosing diseases of all body systems. Therefore, you need to be attentive to your skin, hair and nails and always consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Stages of development
Depending on the severity and course, acne is divided into the following forms:
- Mild degree or first stage - in this case, there are no more than 10 acne on the skin that are not associated with the inflammatory process.
- Moderate severity (second stage) – there is an inflammatory process, the number of rashes reaches 10-20. Comedones can be either closed or open.
- The third stage is considered severe - the clinical picture does not differ from the second stage, but at the same time, up to 40 acne and comedones can already be counted on the body and face.
- The fourth, extremely severe degree - the appearance of papules, pustules, nodes, their number is already more than 40. There are also elements with purulent exudate.
Acne classifications
In medicine, this condition is divided into several criteria - according to the severity of the condition, according to age, etc. As for the stages of the disease, I will describe them below.
If we classify according to age, it looks like this:
- Baby acne in newborns - the causes of these rashes are a hormonal intrauterine crisis, the production of excess testosterone against the background of a sharp decrease in estrol in the first days of a child’s life. Also, a rash in a newborn may be due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia or the development of an androgen-producing tumor.
- Juvenile acne - they form during puberty against the background of hormonal changes.
- Acne in adults – I described the causes above. In short, the following factors provoke their appearance:
- diseases of internal organs, endocrine disorders;
- premenstrual condition;
- professional activity, for example, if a person works in production related to oil and oil;
- taking certain medications, etc.
Acne in the temporal area
The temple area has relatively thin skin, on which rashes rarely appear. But if they are, then pay attention to the following possible reasons:
- Gallbladder diseases. Cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia are often the cause of acne in the temple area.
- Lymph flow disturbances. If for some reason the lymphatic system ceases to cope with its function, various harmful substances accumulate in the lymph, which lead to skin rashes.
- Vitamin deficiencies . Lack of vitamins A, C, E, B manifests itself throughout the skin of the body, including the temples.
- Hormone surges. Most often, hormonal acne affects teenagers and women.
Some recommendations that will help you forget about acne on your temples forever:
- check your gallbladder, cure existing problems;
- undergo diagnostics of the lymphatic system;
- make your diet more varied, consisting mainly of vitamin-rich foods;
- adjust hormonal levels.
These recommendations can only be implemented with the help of a competent doctor. An endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, and lymphologist will help.
What are the advantages of injection lifting of problem areas?
There are cases when cosmetics cannot have the desired effect, and there are no sufficient indications for surgical intervention. Then injection lifting of problem areas comes to the rescue. This is a range of procedures designed to improve the appearance of the skin of various areas of the body.
During the injection session, special drugs are injected into the skin, affecting the structure and relief of the layers of the dermis.
Anti-aging injection methods have quite a lot of adherents both among specialists and among clients, which is quite natural. And here are the reasons for this popularity:
- Significant effect noticeable immediately after exposure;
- The positive result of the procedure lasts for several months;
- Has no age restrictions;
- Tissue damage during the intervention is minimized: sometimes minor hemorrhages are possible at the sites where the needles are inserted;
- Cosmetic preparations are not able to penetrate deep enough into the skin. Injection-based procedures (such as thread lifting, mesotherapy, contouring) affect the middle layer of the skin, where wrinkles are formed. They restore tissue volume and smooth the dermis, eliminating even significant age-related defects;
- Unlike plastic surgery, injection lifting of problem areas has a lower cost and does not require a long recovery;