Sometimes called puppet lines, marionette lines are vertical wrinkles or folds that run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin. They are named after marionette puppets, which have a similar line or split in the lower part of their faces to allow the mouth to move. Marionette lines can betray your age and make you look as though you are sad.
Marionette lines come from a variety of sources, some of which you can control. Unfortunately, there are also some contributing factors that you may not be able to avoid. Marionette lines form for the following reasons:
The good news is that there are some things you can do to help prevent marionette lines. You can help protect yourself by:
If marionette lines have already started to creep onto your chin, don’t despair. There are many treatment options that you can pursue. Surgical options tend to be the most effective, but there are other treatments available:
Not every marionette line treatment is right for every patient. A consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon is the best way to know what your best options are. At Mia Aesthetics, we offer free virtual consultations to help you make an informed decision.
Factors like your age, the depth of the lines, and your skin’s elasticity all play a role in determining the appropriate treatment. For instance:
Whatever treatment you choose, it’s important to have realistic expectations and fully understand what it can and cannot do for you.
Aging, genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices can all contribute to the formation of marionette lines. Thankfully, there are many treatment options, ranging from topical creams to surgical intervention. Speak with us via a free virtual consultation to learn more about the treatment that is best for you.
Sometimes, yes. Retinoids, massage, facial exercises, and good skin care can all help improve marionette lines. The amount of improvement they provide varies from one person to the next, but many people prefer trying a natural route before turning to other treatments.
This is a great question, as the two are often confused. Marionette lines start at the corners of your mouth and extend down your chin. Nasolabial folds are lines that run from the outer edge of your nostrils to the corners of your mouth. They are essentially opposites, with one set of lines beneath your mouth and the other above.
Yes. Marionette lines are an unfortunate but common part of the aging process. As your skin ages, marionette lines tend to deepen and become more visible. If you’re blessed with very young-looking skin, marionette lines may form late enough in your life that they aren’t really a concern for you. The rest of us, however, will need to treat our marionette lines if we wish to slow their progression or minimize their appearance.
Fillers can soften mild and moderate lines, but deeper marionette lines typically require surgery. Marionette lines are too severe for fillers when they are accompanied by skin sagging or jowling. Deep-set lines like these often require a facelift or mini facelift.
Botox can soften marionette lines and help keep them from getting worse, but they will still be visible. Dermal fillers are needed to smooth out the lines and make them temporarily go away.
Yes. Cheek fillers lift sagging skin in the lower face, while jawline and chin fillers can help reshape the contour of your jaw, softening the creases caused by marionette lines. You can also add cheek, jaw, and chin fillers to marionette line fillers to create an overall younger and more cohesive look. If your face is showing multiple signs of aging, fixing one area can exacerbate the appearance of the others. In this case, a multifaceted approach is often best.
The answer depends on your chosen treatment. Dermal fillers last between six and 18 months, depending on how quickly your body metabolizes and absorbs the filler. Botox works for three to six months. Facelifts and mini face lifts easily last five to 15 years, with some patients enjoying their results for life. The duration depends on how your skin ages, which is affected by many things, including skin care, sun exposure, and genetics.
Yes. That may not seem like a helpful answer, but the truth is that both are to blame. Your skin sags as you lose facial volume because it loses the supporting structures beneath it. The loss of elastin and collagen also makes skin prone to sagging simply because of gravity’s constant pull on it, even if volume loss is not present or is only minimal. One phenomenon doesn’t necessarily shoulder more of the blame.
For very deep lines, a facelift or mini facelift is often the best treatment option. Every patient is different, but generally, the treatment for marionette lines progresses as follows as the lines get worse or deepen: