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relaxed skin tension lines

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Tension is present in all directions in the skin but mainly in one direction, which follows the relaxed skin tension lines (RSTLs) first described by Borges (1)

  • RSTLs follow furrows when the skin is relaxed; they are not visible features of skin like wrinkle lines
    • relaxation is achieved by joint mobilization, muscle contraction, or pinching
      • of these three methods, pinching is the most reliable
        • furrows formed with joint mobilization or muscle contraction can be unreliable, depending on the type of joint mobilization or on which muscle is contracting
        • furrows formed by pinching are best created by applying the pinch at a right angle to the RSTLs
          • RSTLs exert a constant tension pull in a certain direction and are altered only temporarily by muscle action

Reference:

  • Borges AF: Relaxed skin tension lines (RSTL) versus other skin lines. Plast Reconstr Surg 73:144-150, 1984.

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