Evidence-led professional guide

MD Codes™ guide: 75-point framework, facial map and code list

An independent, source-led introduction to the published MD Codes nomenclature—with 13 anatomical families, an original facial overview, searchable code list and local documentation draft for qualified aesthetic professionals.

Start Aesthetic Pass free as a doctor Source-checked MD Codes code list and anatomical glossary
Published: 27 July 2026
Updated: 27 July 2026
About 16 minutes
For qualified doctors and aesthetic professionals

01 · Foundations

MD Codes: definition, origin and purpose

The methodological paper describes MD Codes as a standardised alphanumeric language for precise anatomical subunits of the face. The naming system is intended to structure communication, assessment and planning; it does not replace anatomy knowledge, an individual diagnosis or clinical judgment.

The system was developed by Brazilian plastic surgeon Dr Maurício de Maio. Official education is provided through the MD Codes Institute. Aesthetic Pass is independent and documents only terminology published in accessible professional literature.

The published methodology combines anatomical codes with shapes, colours and active numbers. Those extra symbols carry procedural information. We deliberately do not reproduce them: the later correction to the paper concerns the procedural table, and the authors reserve advanced risk regions for specifically trained experts.

Source note: All factual claims and boundaries are sourced below.

02 · Visual orientation

MD Codes facial map: 13 source-verified anatomical families

Each individual label marks the centre of a broad anatomical family—not a precise injection point. The figure does not reproduce the official 75-point map, alert zones, depth, product, dose, device or injection direction.

Symmetrical frontal and three-quarter view of a woman as a neutral facial assessment illustration
Original Aesthetic Pass illustration. The 13 labels were checked against the methodological paper, its supplementary Table S1, Figure 1 and correction. Nasal terminology was additionally checked against the public patent record. No label represents an injection point.

All 13 anatomical families on this independent overview

Ck1–Ck5Cheek T1–T2Temple C1–C6Chin Jw1–Jw5Jawline F1–F3Forehead E1–E3Eyebrow O1–O3Lateral orbital region Tt1–Tt3Tear trough G1–G2Glabella N1–N5Nose NL1–NL3Nasolabial fold Lp1–Lp8Lips M1–M3Marionette region

03 · Nomenclature

How do you read the MD Codes language?

1

Letters = anatomical unit

For example, Ck denotes the cheek family, Jw the jawline and Tt the tear trough.

2

Numbers = subunit

The number distinguishes published subregions within one anatomical family. Ck1 through Ck5 all belong to the cheek.

3

Symbols carry extra meaning

In the official system, colours and shapes convey procedural or safety information. This page does not recreate them.

4

Not a universal sequence

The methodological paper explicitly states that the numbers do not indicate an injection order. Assessment remains individual.

Foundation, contour and refinement as an organising framework

The literature often organises the code families like a building. This is a thinking and communication model—not an automatic recipe for every patient.

01

Foundation

Primarily midface and cheek families described in the concept as structural foundations.

Ck1–Ck5

02

Contour

Temple, chin and jawline families used to describe the outer facial contour.

T1–T2 · C1–C6 · Jw1–Jw5

03

Refinement

Forehead, brow, orbital, nasal and perioral families for finer anatomical documentation.

F1–F3 · E1–E3 · O1–O3 · Tt1–Tt3 · G1–G2 · N1–N5 · NL1–NL3 · Lp1–Lp8 · M1–M3

04 · Evidence review

What the evidence shows—and what it does not

The central methodological paper explains the symbolic language and intended standardisation. It is not an independent randomised superiority trial. The author disclosed work as an Allergan consultant, speaker and medical educator, and the concepts and images were used in Allergan training.

Table 3 of the paper was formally corrected in 2021. This guide therefore links the original and correction together and reproduces no volume or technique values. Practitioners needing procedural detail must use current official training and applicable product information.

Clinical publications report applications and patient satisfaction, but they do not answer every comparative question or establish universal suitability. A code is nomenclature—not a substitute for history, examination, indication, consent or complication management.

Well supported

The published definition, alphanumeric structure, code families and warning that numbers are not an injection sequence.

Interpret cautiously

Treatment promises, universal outcome claims and comparisons without independent control groups.

Do not infer here

Patient suitability, product choice, dose, depth, device, technique or emergency management.

Common misunderstandings

MD Codes are a diagnosis

No. They are a structured anatomical and procedural language; diagnosis and treatment decisions remain clinical.

The number determines the sequence

No. The number identifies a subunit. The methodological paper explicitly warns against this interpretation.

An online facial map replaces training

No. Official education, anatomy knowledge, authorised product information and complication competence remain necessary.

Aesthetic Pass is an official MD Codes provider

No. Aesthetic Pass is independent. The app can structure practitioner-entered treatment zones and records, but it does not provide official MD Codes training.

05 · Aesthetic Pass

From a facial code to a complete treatment record

A shorthand code alone is not a complete record. Aesthetic Pass connects practitioner-entered treatment context with the patient, product, lot, zones, quantities, optional photos and longitudinal history—in one account shared across web, iOS and Android.

Start Aesthetic Pass free as a doctor Compare Starter and Pro
Aesthetic Pass treatment documentation with facial zones
Illustrative demo record—not a real patient.
  1. 01

    Confirm patient and visit

    Make the active patient, treating professional and encounter unambiguous before entering treatment detail.

  2. 02

    Record treatment and product

    Associate treatment type, product and practitioner-entered or scanned lot information with the record.

  3. 03

    Document zones structurally

    The professional records the zones and values actually used in the app—not a total estimated in advance.

  4. 04

    Attach photos optionally

    Up to three before and two after photos can optionally be linked to the correct patient and treatment.

  5. 05

    Save and share the history

    The final record remains in the treatment timeline and can be made visible through the controlled treatment passport.

Open the free treatment record builder

FAQ

MD Codes questions

How many MD Codes are there?

The widely cited framework describes 75 points or codes. Public literature also shows families, variants and procedural symbols. Our navigator deliberately lists only the core families clearly published in the cited overviews and is not a complete official map.

What are the 13 anatomical MD Codes families shown here?

This independent overview shows Ck (cheek), T (temple), C (chin), Jw (jawline), F (forehead), E (eyebrow), O (lateral orbital region), Tt (tear trough), G (glabella), N (nose), NL (nasolabial fold), Lp (lips) and M (marionette region).

Why does this page not reproduce the official 75-point chart?

The complete official chart contains protected visual and procedural elements. We instead publish an original, source-checked orientation to broad anatomical families and direct professionals to authorised education for procedural content.

What does Ck1 mean in MD Codes?

Ck denotes the cheek family; Ck1 is described in the literature as the zygomatic-arch subunit. That label alone does not determine dose, depth or technique.

Are MD Codes only for fillers?

The methodological MD Codes paper concerns injectable hyaluronic-acid fillers. Other products and procedures have their own authorisations, information and documentation requirements.

Is the illustration an MD Codes injection map?

No. It is an original Aesthetic Pass illustration of broad anatomical code families. It does not reproduce official points, alert zones or procedural symbols.

Where can I get official MD Codes training?

Through the MD Codes Institute or authorised educational programmes. Aesthetic Pass is not affiliated, authorised or endorsed and does not provide official MD Codes education.

Does the navigator store my entries?

No. The draft is processed only in the current browser window. It disappears on reload; an export exists only when you explicitly choose Print or CSV.

Continue the topic

Place MD Codes inside a complete documentation workflow

Continue with Aesthetic Pass resources that connect anatomical nomenclature to an auditable, structured treatment record.

Interactive treatment record and injection-map builder

Record zones, calculate entered quantities automatically and export a local draft.

Aesthetic treatment documentation checklist

Check the patient, product, lot, zones, photos and follow-up fields that form a defensible record.

Structured injection-mapping software

See how Aesthetic Pass connects practitioner-entered zones with the complete treatment history.

Product and lot traceability

Connect product identity and lot context to the correct clinical record.

Before-and-after photo documentation

Link optional clinical photos to the correct patient and treatment.

Aesthetic clinic documentation SOP

Build a repeatable workflow from check-in to completed treatment evidence.

Primary sources and further professional reading

Structure instead of scattered notes

Document the treatment that actually happened in one connected history

Start free, use the same credentials across web, iOS and Android, and document up to 25 distinct treated patients on Starter.

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