Three-dimensional analysis of forehead wrinkles.

Abstract

It is important to understand the anatomical characteristics of forehead wrinkles in order to perform a forehead lift. This study aimed to elucidate the mutual relationships among tissues composing the forehead using computer software that enables the stereoscopic observation of the tissues studied in arbitrary directions. The specimens were obtained from five cadavers and prepared in serial sagittal sections. Three-dimensional images were prepared by inputting the forehead wrinkle data obtained from serial sagittal sections. Consequently, the forehead skin was found to be fixed to the superficial galea aponeurotica through fibrous septa, suggesting that movement of the frontalis muscle would be transmitted to the skin, not through the fibrous septa alone, but from the superficial galea aponeurotica closely attached to the frontalis muscle through the fibrous septa. Since the forehead muscles exhibit a stereostructure where the corrugator supercilii muscle supports three superficial forehead muscles, including the frontalis muscle, the orbicularis oculi muscle, and procerus muscle on the periosteal side, it was presumed that a sufficient effect would not be attained unless the corrugator supercilii muscle was operated on concurrently in conjunction with these muscles during a procedure involving the superficial forehead muscles in a forehead lift. Based on the findings from the three-dimensional images obtained, effective tissue treatments could be achieved by performing (1) dissection between the superficial galea aponeurotica and the frontalis muscle, (2) dissection between the deep galea aponeurotica and the periosteum, and (3) a procedure incorporating the forehead muscles in order.