Understanding the Perioral Anatomy

Rejuvenation of the perioral region can be very challenging because of the many factors that affect the appearance of this area, such as repeated muscle movement causing radial lip lines, loss of the maxillary and mandibular bony support, and decrease and descent of the adipose tissue causing the formation of "jowls." Environmental issues must also be addressed, such as smoking, sun damage, and poor dental health. When assessing a client for perioral rejuvenation, it is critical that the provider understands the perioral anatomy so that high-risk areas may be identified and precautions are taken to prevent serious adverse events from occurring.