Receiving a genuine smile from a stranger can make anyone’s day. Darwin wrote that our primary emotions (joy, worry, sadness, fear and anger) are “innate and universal from culture to culture,” and that our emotions are “wired into our nervous system like a cat's meow and a dog's bark.” Researchers agree that our basic emotions are universal, yet expound that there are "cultural display rules” that we learn as children which are specifically used from culture to culture.
An example of a display rule in Thailand was told to me by an acquaintance who visited the country years ago. He was standing on a bus that was so crowded that he could hardly move an inch. Suddenly, the bus stopped and he inadvertently stepped very hard on the foot of a woman standing beside him. Bracing himself for a harsh response from the woman, he was astonished that she smiled at him as tears filled her eyes. In Thailand, smiling is a cultural display rule and is used to buffer and avoid confrontation. In Japan, society expects people to hide their authentic feelings and opinions; their "public face in order to keep harmony safe.”
In the US, smiling is commonly used as a polite and sociable cultural display rule when meeting and greeting someone we hardly know. In this regard, we don’t actually care how the person is feeling. It is only the appearance of friendliness that is required as a cultural display rule. To express an authentic smile, it is not enough to use the muscles surrounding the mouth. The Oribicularis oculi muscle surrounding the eyes needs to be involved in a genuine smile. It causes crinkling of the skin around the eyes; deepening lines around the eyes which help express real joy to the receiver of a smile.
Most everyone at some point tries to hides feelings, moods and attitudes. Surprisingly, not all of our expressions are under our control. Our muscles can be unfaithful to us exposing “micro-expressions." These are our secret feelings that swiftly move across our face right before we smile or display an indistinct expression on our face. For example, if we feel insulted, our lips may tighten instantaneously in annoyance or anger right before we hide our true feeling with a smile.
You can attain microcurrent facial toning results by applying basic techniques by rote, however, achieving exceptional results requires studying the muscle of facial expression. Learning how muscles work alone and in conjunction with each other helps the practitioner recognize the client’s moods, feelings and attitudes. The client’s expressions demonstrate which muscles are used over and over again. This guides the professional in choosing protocols for achieving the most effective results.
Not all lines, wrinkles and folds are caused by facial expressions. Squinting in the sun can cause deep lines around the eyes. Smoking purses the lips causing deep lines to develop around the mouth. The repetitive movement of muscles is a significant reason that lines, pouches and folds deepen over time.
In 1972, two psychologists, Paul Ekmund and W. Freison categorized the effects of facial muscle movements, and how muscle movements change the appearance of the face. They measured the depth and strength of muscle contractions in order to differentiate how each muscle performs. This rigorous and exacting undertaking resulted in an incredibly detailed training manual called The Facial Action Coding System. This work is used by many professionals such as movie animators, psychologists and law enforcement, and offers great training for any facial rejuvenation practice.
Practice noticing the facial expressions of family members, friends and strangers. Try to recognize the slightest hint of micro-expressions in every conversation. Studying the muscles of the face is not only an important anatomy and physiology education, but very enlightening in observing what lies behind the mask.
References
Cacioppo J., Berntson G., Larsen J., Poehlmann K., Ito T., Lewis M., et al. (2000).
Handbook of Emotions. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Darwin C. (1872). The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals by Charles Darwin. London: John Murray. 10.1037/10001-000.
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