What are Marionette Lines?
Marionette lines are creases that form from the corners of your mouth down towards either side of your chin. People often complain that they make them look sad, as the mouth turns down at the corners. They get their name as they resemble the appearance of marionette string puppets.
Why am I Getting Marionette Lines?
Marionette lines have multiple causes. They appear with advancing age due to volume loss in the face’s underlying structures. The commonest structures are bone and fat. As the face loses volume, gravity pulls the overlying skin down, and Marionette lines can start forming.
A contributing factor may also be the increasing strength of the muscles at the corners of the mouth, which pull the angle of the mouth down. Marionette lines develop more quickly due to lifestyle factors that reduce the skin’s collagen production, such as smoking and excess sun.
Are Marionette Lines Hereditary/Genetic?
You may have a genetic predisposition to developing marionette lines due to your underlying facial shape and the amount of volume loss you develop due to age. But as stated above, other factors also have an influence. Therefore, it is important to maintain the skin’s collagen levels by taking care of your skin, avoiding smoking and using sunscreen daily.
Will Marionette Lines Improve with Weight Loss?
Not usually; in fact, weight loss is usually a contributing factor in developing marionette lines. Weight loss can lead to volume loss in the face which then causes the soft tissues and skin to descend, causing the lines to look worse.
However, you may find that if you have gained a lot of weight recently, the distribution of fat around the face, particularly the jowl and neck area, may add to the gravitational pull of the lower face, making the Marionette lines more evident. In this case, weight loss may improve them.
Can Marionette Lines be Corrected/Treated/ Improved?
There are many ways to improve these lines, depending on the underlying cause and severity.
The area’s anatomy is complex, and treatment of this area will require a consultation first to assess the cause of your problem and give you a bespoke treatment plan.
The following treatments are the most successful, although for more severe lines, you may need a combination of several treatments for the best result:
- Dermal fillers
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections
- Injectable Collagen Stimulators
- Collagen Induction Therapies
- Thread Lift
- Face Lift
Here at Cheshire Lasers, we only perform Dermal Fillers, Botox and Collagen induction therapies however, we will advise you if we feel other treatments are more appropriate.
How do Dermal Fillers Treat Marionette Lines?
Dermal Fillers can help improve this area in many ways.
Replace Volume Loss and Create a Lift
Dermal Fillers injected deep replace volume lost from the deep structures of the face, such as the cheek, chin and jawline. This creates support for the soft tissues of the face which can create a lifting effect that lifts the skin and improves the lines.
Supporting Sagging Skin
Dermal fillers can also improve the lines by injecting under them. Injections under the skin create a hydrating and plumping effect on the tissues under the lines, allowing the skin to support the sagging tissues below.
Can marionette lines be filled?
Yes, dermal fillers can add support to the facial structures, which, in turn, can help reduce Marionette lines. Fillers can also be added directly into the lines more superficially.
How can Botox Improve Marionette lines?
If you have overactive muscles pulling down the lower face. Botox is a treatment option; it reduces the downward pull at the corners of the mouth, which can help reduce the appearance of Marionette lines and create a subtle lift to the corner of the mouth.
How do Collagen Induction Therapies Improve the Lines?
Collagen induction therapies such as skin boosters, polynucleotides, microneedling, chemical peels and radiofrequency microneedling can help tighten the skin and improve skin quality. Full-face treatments deliver the best results as they can create a general lift that reduces the marionette area’s downturn and improves the skin’s support in the problem area.
Before and After Marionette Line Treatment with Dermal Filler
Content created by Dr Kyra Drinann at Cheshire Lasers Clinic, Middlewich.