The Most Effective Way to Improve Marionette Lines

The vertical lines extending from the corners of the mouth down to the chin are called marionette lines.

They are also sometimes called frown lines.

No matter what nickname they have, these lines are not pleasant.

Marionette lines are different from the nasolabial folds, which are the best-known lines around the mouth.

Nasolabial folds start beside the nose and run downward in the shape of the number eight, while

marionette lines extend from both sides of the lips down to the jawline, making the corners of the mouth droop

and creating a sad-looking image that makes it hard to give a good impression.

In addition, the bulldog jowls that form as the cheeks sag along those lines can also look severe, so they are regarded as a major cause of aging.

So why do marionette lines form, and how can they be improved?

As we age, the production of collagen and elastin in the dermis decreases, causing the skin to lose elasticity and sag.

In addition, reduced hyaluronic acid lowers moisture retention, making the skin thinner and reducing volume.

At this time, the fat in the midface, especially the cheek area, decreases,

and as it is affected by gravity and sags downward, looseness around the mouth becomes more noticeable.

Above all, the reduction of cheek fat and subcutaneous tissue worsens wrinkles.

Moreover, as people age and resorption of the mandible (jawbone) progresses, the jawline becomes less defined, making marionette lines more pronounced.

The method for improving marionette lines should be approached differently depending on the skin tissue, the degree of sagging,

the location and direction of the wrinkles, and their depth in order to achieve good results.

Therefore, it is important to properly understand your own skin condition and find the right improvement method.

Depending on the degree, simple procedures such as fillers or Botox that fill in wrinkles and add volume,

Ulthera, which delivers energy to the fascia layer and lifts the skin through collagen regeneration,

or Thermage, which helps improve skin elasticity and fine wrinkles,

can also be applied as laser lifting procedures.

In addition, depending on the symptoms, medical threads are placed deep into the fat layer under the skin

and fixed to the scalp above the ears to directly pull up the sagging skin and create a lifting effect through thread lifting,

or improvement can be achieved effectively through mini lifting, which involves making an incision at the temple and firmly pulling up to the SMAS layer.

Shall we look at a case?

This is a photo before surgery. The patient did not have pronounced nasolabial folds, but the area around the mouth was sagging due to marionette lines. It seems that mini lifting to pull up the sagging skin would be a good option.

This is the appearance after receiving mini lifting. The sagging around the mouth caused by marionette lines was improved. You can see that the patient now has a somewhat brighter impression.

In the case of laser lifting or mini lifting, the burden is relatively light, but the downside is that the maintenance period is short.

If aging has progressed significantly and a greater effect is desired, a surgical method such as a facelift is the most effective.

This is because if the skin sagging is severe and the wrinkles are deep, it is difficult to see results with the simple procedures mentioned above.

Shall we also look at a patient who underwent a facelift?

It can be seen that the nasolabial folds are deep and the marionette lines are also deep. In addition, the skin tissue is sagging downward, giving the overall impression that the skin lacks elasticity.

This is the appearance after the facelift. You can see that the deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines have improved. In addition, by lifting the skin tissue, the face has become more vibrant and elastic.

Wrinkles around the mouth are a very sensitive area, so they require more attention and a fundamental improvement, and accordingly, a surgical approach is needed.

Rather than temporary improvement, not only the visibly sagging skin on the surface but also

the fascia inside the skin that has sagged due to aging must be pulled upward and fixed

in order to achieve a more stable and long-lasting effect.

If, due to personal circumstances, a procedure must be performed later,

for an ultimately satisfying result, we ask that you select only the procedures that do not interfere with surgery as much as possible

and are helpful, and look for improvement measures.

A customized diagnosis that closely checks each person's degree of sagging, wrinkle direction, skin tissue, and so on is essential,

and even for simple procedures, we recommend making a decision after consulting with a skilled specialist who has extensive experience in wrinkle surgery.