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CHAPTER 2 know your facial muscles

the force behind the face

The muscles of the face and neck vary in size and shape from the small, delicate structures around the upper lip to the large and powerful muscles of the neck and jaw.

All the muscles of the body are made up of long cords known as muscle fibers. These, in turn, are formed from smaller threads called myofibrils, which comprise even smaller strands, or filaments. The filaments slide past each other to contract the muscle and so exert a force. Your facial muscles play an important role in the way you look. They nestle closely together, sometimes even overlapping, and are joined to the skin in such a way that when they contract they pull the face into shape. By acting in combination they create the myriad expressions you use to reveal your conscious and unconscious feelings and interact with the world around you.

All muscles maintain a slight tension at all times to hold your position against the force of gravity. This is called muscle tone. However, when you’re tense you tend to tighten the muscles for long periods, which impedes the flow of blood and starves them of oxygen and nutrients. For example, when driving a car in heavy traffic you tend to hunch over the wheel, developing tight, knotted muscles. Over time, the muscles become painfully tense and increasingly stiff. The best way to relax the muscles and restore their mobility is through massage and exercise. This is as true for the muscles of the face as it is for the rest of the body.

Facial muscles contract to reveal different expressions. If those expressions become habitual the muscles may stiffen up. Through massage you can release muscular tension and restore mobility to the face, so helping to restore your youthful features.

muscles of the face and neck

Before we go any further, you should get to know your face in more detail. It may help to find out about some of the muscles that lie underneath your skin and learn the names of a few of the major ones. The following are some of the most important muscles worked in facial massage.

muscles of the face and neck

Sternocleidomastoid – one of a pair of muscles on either side of the neck. It lifts your head when you’re lying down, bends and tilts your head, and rotates your head sideways towards your shoulder.

muscles around the eyes

Corrugator supercilii – draws the eyebrows together in a frown and wrinkles the forehead vertically.

Frontalis – raises the eyebrows to show surprise and wrinkles the forehead skin horizontally.

Orbicularis oculi – narrows the eyes to frown and squint and closes the eyelid to wink. This muscle is the underlying cause of crow’s feet.

Procerus – draws the eyebrows down and together.

muscles of the nose

Depressor septi – depresses the nostrils.

Levator labii superioris – flares the nostrils (and furrows the lips).

muscles of the mouth

Buccinator – compresses the cheeks to blow a kiss, whistle, and suck.

Depressor anguli oris – draws the corners of the mouth downwards and laterally to form a grimace.

Depressor labii inferioris – draws the lower lip downwards to pout.

Levator labii superioris – opens the lips, and raises and furrows the upper lip (and flares the nostrils).

Mentalis – protrudes the lower lip and wrinkles the chin to express doubt.

Orbicularis oris – closes the mouth and purses and protrudes the lips to kiss and whistle, and also pulls the lips against the teeth.

Platysma – draws the corner of the mouth downwards and backwards to show horror.

Risorius – draws the corner of the mouth outwards to grin.

Zygomaticus major and minor – pulls the corner of the mouth upwards and outwards to smile.

muscles of the jaw

Masseter – clenches the teeth and raises and closes the lower jaw tightly for chewing.

Temporalis – raises the lower jaw and presses it against the upper jaw to aid chewing.

get to know your face

The following exercises can help you to locate and identify some of the key muscles of the face.

Place two fingers between your eyebrows and frown in a disapproving manner. You’ll feel a combination of the Procerus, which lies just above the nose, and the Corrugator supercilii, located above the eyebrow.

Place a hand flat against your forehead and scrunch up your forehead. You’ll feel your hand being pulled up, mainly due to the contraction of the large Frontalis muscle. Working this muscle helps to increase oxygen and blood circulation through the forehead and around the eyes. This helps soften your brow, making you look more relaxed.

Place two fingers of both hands on either side of your head, slightly above and in front of your ears, and clench your teeth. You’ll feel the wide Temporalis muscle, responsible for closing your jaw and aiding chewing.

Close your eyes and gently place an index finger across the top of each eyelid. Keeping your eyes shut, widen your eyes as if trying to lift your eyelids. The delicate muscle you can feel is part of the Orbicularis Oculi, which encircles the eye.

Separate the index and middle fingers of one hand to make a V shape. Place one finger on either side of your nose and try closing your nostrils. You’ll feel the Compressor Naris.

Now try flaring your nostrils. This involves the Depressor Septi and Levator Labii superioris.

Purse your lips as if kissing and feel the circular muscle surrounding the mouth. This is the Orbicularis Oris.

Protrude your lower lip and wrinkle your chin as if sulking. The muscle that controls this expression is the Mentalis.

Place a finger slightly away from the corner of one side of your mouth and smile to that side. The muscles you can feel are the Zygomaticus major and minor.

express yourself

Now that you’ve become familiar with some of your facial muscles it’s time to look at how they work together to create certain expressions. This is not just a learning process but also very good exercise. It’s best to stand in front of a mirror so you can see how the muscles function. By doing these exercises regularly you’ll become familiar with your face, your skin will take on a healthy glow, and there will be a fresh vitality about you. As soon as you can feel the muscles, let go and assume the next expression.

Begin by assuming the most neutral expression possible. Breathe slowly, relax your facial muscles, and clear your mind.

Now imagine something fabulous has happened or that you’ve heard some great news. Let your face show the surprise. From this expression move on to the next one.

Pretend you’d been desperately hoping something would happen but it hasn’t. Let your face show your disappointment and sadness.

Think of some of your happiest memories and show your happiness.

We all get angry at times. Imagine someone has done something to make your blood boil. Let the mirror see how you feel.

Now have a good laugh at yourself- pull faces or do whatever you need to do to make yourself laugh. Now we’ve come full circle so assume a neutral expression again.

case study

Name: Rita

Age: 38

Occupation: Executive assistant

Rita first heard about the treatment from an article in a national newspaper and was interested because, quite naturally, she wanted to look as young as possible for as long as possible. As she believes prevention is better than cure, she started the therapy from a relatively young age to avoid wrinkles developing.

Rita was particularly concerned about the area around her eyes due to laughter lines and her tendency to pull the area when removing make-up. She was also worried about the lines on her forehead caused by her habitual expression.

After the first treatment Rita felt a sense of calm no other therapy had managed to achieve. She found the treatment very relaxing and felt great about being able to do something that she knew could keep her looking younger. Her face felt taut after each treatment but not in an uncomfortable way. After just one session her mother noticed something different about her but couldn’t quite put her finger on it. After an initial course of eight treatments Rita felt she looked younger and her confidence grew because she was doing something to improve herself.

She definitely recommends face lift massage, as it’s an excellent non-surgical way to look younger. Although she is 38 most people think she’s about 30!