Marionette lines are facial wrinkles that occur with natural aging. The lines run vertically between the mouth and chin, which can also create sagging in the lower half of your face. Marionette lines get their name from marionette string puppets, which are known for having split jaws so puppeteers can help them talk. The skin around your mouth is particularly prone to wrinkling because it’s thinner compared with the rest of your face. These types of wrinkles tend to develop by your 40s, but you may start seeing signs of them in your 20s and 30s.
The only wrinkle treatment considered permanent is surgery. For significant wrinkles, a dermatologic surgeon might recommend a rhytidectomy (facelift). With this type of surgery, incisions are made to remove or transfer fat, while underlying tissues are lifted upward to help tighten your face.
Laser resurfacing works by removing the top layers of your skin via lasers.
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections are popular solutions for facial wrinkles around the mouth and eyes. These work by relaxing the facial muscles underneath the injection site. In turn, your skin will become smoother with a reduced appearance in wrinkles.
Like Botox, dermal fillers are temporary injectables that can help treat marionette lines in their earlier stages. Unlike Botox, fillers don’t relax muscles. Instead, they help plump your skin with either poly-L-lactic or hyaluronic acid. This is designed to mimic the effects of collagen and elastin to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles.
Chemical peels are applied by an aesthetician or dermatologist and, depending on the type of peel, are designed to remove the outer layer of skin (epidermis) as well as parts of the middle layer (dermis). The process reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles and age spots, and the new skin cells that generate are stronger.
Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, is a treatment that creates very small holes in the skin to help generate stronger skin cells. A dermatologist uses a derma roller or microneedling pen, a tool that contains small needles to create these small holes in the target area of the skin.
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Marionette lines are long vertical lines that laterally circumscribe the chin.
Like other types of facial wrinkles, marionette lines are caused by natural collagen losses that occur with age.
People typically begin developing marionette lines in their late 30s or early 40s. In the early stages, marionette lines are barely visible.
While dermal fillers are usually the 'go to' treatment for marionette lines, botox is also a useful option. Botox can be used to relax the muscles which pull down the corners of your mouth and accentuate the appearance of marionette lines.
The results are not permanent.
Wrinkle treatments won’t go far if you don’t take care of your skin on a regular basis. Wash your face twice per day, and remove makeup before bedtime. Use your desired anti-aging serum as well as facial moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
When a person loses weight, he or she no longer has the facial fat to keep the skin taut and full. Facial volume loss can create hollows, prominent jowls, deep nasolabial folds and marionette lines around the mouth, and other signs of aging.
Other lifestyle habits may contribute to marionette lines and other facial wrinkles, including:
Drinking lots of water can keep your skin hydrated, but eating the right foods can also help keep your skin healthy in the long term. Anti-inflammatory foods, such as colorful fruits and vegetables, fish, and unprocessed grains, may be especially beneficial.
For the treatment of marionette lines only, a surgeon might recommend a partial rhytidectomy (mini facelift).
Marionette lines may benefit from a serum that contains a combination of the following ingredients:
