R Review From Scalp to Soles 93
conciliatory “...my friend, John F. Kennedy...,” his body language
says that he was choking back emotion.
Fight or flight has an impact on the lips as well. When the
sympathetic kicks in it gives blood to things needed for fight or
flight: muscles, lungs, and heart. It takes blood away from “use-
less” things such as the highly evolved primate brain and the repro-
ductive and the digestive systems. A direct result is blood leaving all
mucosa. This means the lips become drawn and thin.
Unlike fight-or-flight demands, the mucous membranes need
more blood flow in times of sexual arousal. Because the body re-
quires high blood flow for erections, sensitivity, and lubrication, the
body floods mucosa with blood. The result is red cheeks and full
lips. We can see it in both men and women. It is the reason that the
Angelina Jolie “pillow lip” has become so admired. It is a sure sign
of attraction in a woman, and easy for even the least perceptive of
men to recognize as a come-on look.
Smile
Another facial sign, but one that varies from person to person,
is the smile. Here is the difference between a practiced, perfect
C-shaped smile and a smile that rises to the eyes: one is for
presentation, and one is genuine.
My natural, genuine smile is a little crooked. A sort of half-
smile. But when I’m meeting someone for the first time or smiling
for the television cameras, I will give a balanced smile. Take a look
at people you know well and notice the difference between their
relaxed smile and the one they use as part of establishing control.