A Plastic Surgery Specialist Explains Marionette Lines and Thread Lifting.

Hello.

We are Ribbon Plastic Surgery, meeting you at Exit 1 of Sinnonhyeon Station. :)

"Wrinkles around the mouth make my lips look drooped, so no matter what expression I make, I look grumpy."

"I have wrinkles not only around my nasolabial folds, but also at the corners of my mouth. What is this?"

Marionette lines refer to deep wrinkles that run diagonally downward from the corners of the mouth.

They are named marionette lines because their shape resembles a Western marionette doll.

Since they run downward from the corners of the mouth, the lips also appear generally drooped, and any expression can look grumpy.

In addition, when marionette lines become more pronounced, the buccal fat pads often sag along with them.

When marionette lines deepen and the buccal fat pads sag, the face can look much older than the person’s age.

Therefore, an anti-aging procedure to lift a sagging face is needed.

We recommend a "thread lifting" procedure, which can physically lift sagging skin immediately without the burden of surgery.

Causes of marionette lines

As we age, collagen is lost and the overall elasticity of the face declines.

At this time, fat also sags downward or is lost.

When fat sags downward like this, wrinkles form around the mouth along the sagging line.

Also, the area around the lips moves frequently when eating or making facial expressions, so wrinkles form easily there.

In cases where wrinkles are caused simply by frequent movement or collagen loss, the problem may be improved by using lifting devices to enhance elasticity or by adding volume with fillers.

However, marionette lines caused by an overall decrease in elasticity, sagging buccal fat pads, or sagging skin around the area are difficult to resolve by simply improving elasticity and adding volume.

If you are not using a surgical method, you need to physically lift the sagging area through thread lifting.

What is thread lifting?

Thread lifting is a procedure that induces an immediate lifting effect by inserting threads that are harmless to the human body under the skin and pulling up sagging areas.

Unlike lifting devices intended to improve elasticity, it can physically lift the directly affected area, producing an immediate effect.

Also, unlike a facelift, it does not involve surgical operation, so downtime is relatively short.

The threads used for lifting are special medical products that naturally dissolve over time, and during this process they stimulate surrounding tissue and help promote collagen production.

Types of lifting threads

Threads used for thread lifting can be divided by composition into PDO, PCL, and PLLA.

At present, PDO threads and PLLA threads that naturally dissolve are widely used.

PDO threads are further divided into cog threads and non-cog threads.

Cog threads, represented by Mint Thread, have barbs throughout the thread so they are designed to pull skin tissue effectively.

Monothreads without barbs are used to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity.

For PLLA threads, there is the cone thread represented by Silhouette Soft. This thread, which looks as if cones are attached to the thread, is more flexible than cog threads.

Because of this, it is used in areas that move a lot, such as around the mouth.

Also, since PLLA has the ability to be produced on its own, its effect on improving elasticity is excellent as well.

However, which thread should be used must be determined comprehensively after a thorough diagnosis based on each person’s skin characteristics and current condition.

Precautions for thread lifting

The effect of thread lifting varies depending on the type, thickness, and composition of the thread, but the results also differ greatly depending on the depth at which it is inserted and the direction in which it is pulled.

In general, when the purpose is "lifting," the thread is inserted deeply into the dermis and subcutaneous fat layers.

However, if it is inserted too deeply, the cogs will not engage properly and the lifting effect will be reduced.

If it is inserted too shallowly, a side effect called a "dimple" may appear, so the design must be carefully adjusted according to the individual’s skin condition.

Also, existing products were often short, which meant the threads had to be inserted in visible areas, or the force could concentrate on the cheekbones, making the face look larger.

To solve these problems, Ribbon Plastic Surgery has independently developed and uses "Ribbon Thread" with approved ingredients.

Each person has a different degree of skin sagging and a different direction of aging.

Even if marionette lines have formed in the same way, the type of thread used, as well as the direction and force with which the thread is inserted and pulled, must all differ.

If the procedure is performed as if there were a formula while ignoring individual differences, there may be a risk of unexpected side effects.

In particular, thread lifting is a procedure in which the surgeon’s experience, know-how, and anatomical knowledge are important.

If you are concerned about sagging wrinkles around the mouth, please visit Ribbon Plastic Surgery.

Our medical team, made up of board-certified plastic surgeons, will consult with you directly and recommend only the procedures truly needed in a personalized 1:1 plan.

Thank you for reading this long post.