Learning the anatomy of the face has been one of the most fascinating parts of my career as an Esthetician. In this article, we will explore how to use the Vectors of the face to improve the treatments we provide our clients. 

Studying how the skin drapes over the face is the first step. Look for any fat pad loss, loss of facial bone structure, and signs of collagen loss. This creates common areas of facial sagging like jowls and heavy cheeks. 

Familiarize yourself with the VECTORS of the face (see image for typical pattern) and notice how each makes up the shape of the face and how they overlap and use this knowledge in your treatment protocols.

When the muscles of the face are neglected, or something as simple as repeated facial expressions, produces changes to the face that aren’t always attractive. For example, when the muscles in the forehead are neglected the result can show up as sagging eyelids. Lift the forehead muscles and the eyelids lift.

Other times sagging skin on cheeks or chin area occurs because the levator labii muscles need toned. When the muscles in the zygomaticus minor/major muscles are neglected the infamous 11s form.

Additionally, look for uneven skin tone from poor circulation, deep wrinkles from overly tight muscles. All this results in areas of concentration.

Use your hands and fingers to explore your client's face to find the areas needing attention. You can feel where loss of facial muscle tone exists.

You may also feel puffiness just beneath the skin. It could be stuck lymph that needs to be drained from the face. Again, when the muscles of the face are neglected, blood flow restriction occurs, as well as poor lymphatic drainage.

Using high tech devices such as the Microcurrent or the Time Master Pro Ultrasound, Curve Face and Body, and even a low-tech device like the Anma, using movements following the vectors can greatly impact the muscle tone of the face.