Resting and smiling photos: what they are and what they are for
Quick facts
- Definition
- A pair of photos of the same patient: one with the face relaxed (resting) and another smiling, in the same position and light.
- What it shows
- The resting photo shows volume, symmetry and static wrinkles; the smile shows the dynamics of the muscles and expression lines.
- Where it appears
- In the photographic record sheet, the patient record and the before and after comparison.
- Main caution
- Repeat the same expression instruction in every session, so the comparison is fair.
The resting photo and the smiling photo form a pair of records of the same face in two muscle states. At rest, the patient looks straight ahead with a relaxed face, mouth closed without tension. In the smile, they make a natural, comfortable expression, without forcing it. Together, they show what the face has in structure and what it does in motion.
What does each photo reveal?
| Photo | What it helps assess |
|---|---|
| Resting | Volume, symmetry, folds and static wrinkles, position of the lips and chin |
| Smiling | Dynamic wrinkles, lift of the vermilion of the lip, tooth show, behavior of the lower third |
An area can look fine at rest and show asymmetry only in the smile, or the other way around. That is why assessment with both photos is more complete than with just one.
How to standardize?
The comparison is only valid when the only thing that changes between sessions is the face. Keep the same distance, the same camera height, the same light and the same verbal instruction ("relax your face" and "smile as you normally do"). The full criteria are in standardized clinical photography.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a resting photo and a smiling photo?
In the resting photo the muscles are relaxed, which exposes volume and static wrinkles. In the smiling photo the muscles are working, and dynamic wrinkles and the behavior of the lips and mouth corners appear.