Marionette Lines: What They Are, Causes, Filler, & Treatments (2024)

What are marionette lines?

Marionette lines, also called melomental folds, are creases that extend from the corners of your mouth to your chin. The name comes from marionette string puppets, which have pronounced vertical lines in the same place.

Marionette lines may be mild, moderate or severe.

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What is the difference between marionette lines vs. nasolabial folds?

Marionette lines and nasolabial folds are in different locations on your face. Nasolabial folds are known as smile lines and extend from the nose to the mouth. Marionette lines appear below nasolabial folds.

Who typically gets marionette lines?

Most people will get marionette lines as they age. However, some people may be more prone to developing these lines sooner or have more visible, deeper lines. For example, people who smoke and don’t use sun protection may form marionette lines early or have more prominent wrinkles.

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What age do marionette lines appear?

Marionette lines typically appear around age 40. But you may see faint or subtle lines at the corners of your mouth in your 20s and 30s.

Do marionette lines make you look older?

Yes, marionette lines are a sign of aging. These wrinkles can make you look older than you are.

Marionette Lines: What They Are, Causes, Filler, & Treatments (2024)

FAQs

Marionette Lines: What They Are, Causes, Filler, & Treatments? ›

Causes of marionette lines

As early as your 20s, your skin starts losing elasticity as well as hydration, which increases your risk for fine lines and wrinkles. Long-term sun exposure, stress, and poor nutrition may also contribute to facial wrinkles by prematurely breaking down collagen and elastin.

What are marionette lines caused by? ›

Causes of marionette lines

As early as your 20s, your skin starts losing elasticity as well as hydration, which increases your risk for fine lines and wrinkles. Long-term sun exposure, stress, and poor nutrition may also contribute to facial wrinkles by prematurely breaking down collagen and elastin.

Can fillers make marionette lines worse? ›

Filling this facial area only made it thicker and didn't remove the marionette folds. In some cases, they had shifted out a bit because the filler was pushing the skin outwards. Overfilling the marionette line area of the face also started to distort some patients' face shape.

Why am I getting marionette lines so early? ›

The causes of marionette lines include natural ageing, loss of collagen and elasticity, sun exposure, smoking, repetitive facial expressions, and genetics. While it's impossible to completely prevent them, understanding their causes can help slow down their onset or reduce their appearance.

What treatment is best for marionette lines? ›

Injecting Botox into the depressor muscles relaxes these muscles and reduces the appearance of marionette lines. Importantly, consistent use of Botox while wrinkles are in the early stages of forming helps prevent them from further deepening. Because Botox is temporary, repeated treatment every 4-6 months is necessary.

How to stop marionette lines from getting worse? ›

However, you can prevent marionette lines and other wrinkles from worsening by following healthy living tips: Drink water to stay hydrated. Eat foods with nutrients, such as fruits and vegetables. Get enough sleep.

What vitamins help marionette lines? ›

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help to minimize the appearance of marionette lines. The most potent form of Vitamin C is its serum form. If you're using a Vitamin C serum, apply it to the areas around your marionette lines daily. Be sure to follow up with a moisturizer, as Vitamin C can be drying to the skin.

How to fix marionette lines without fillers? ›

PDO threads are the best option for non-surgical face lifting and for erasing marionette lines. The only way to treat marionette lines is to physically pull the skin back. And the best way to do that without surgery is with threading treatments.

Does stress cause marionette lines? ›

Excessive sun exposure without adequate protection. Stress and stress behaviors (such as pursing the lips or grinding the teeth) Genetics (people whose parents had noticeable marionette lines also tend to develop them)

Can dehydration cause marionette lines? ›

Causes of Marionette Lines

Factors such as reduced skin elasticity, dehydration, long-term sun exposure, stress, and poor nutrition can decrease collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles. While the exact cause of marionette lines in some individuals is not fully understood, genetics are believed to play a role.

How much does filler cost for marionette lines? ›

Synthetic Facial Fillers
NameUsePrice
BellafillSmile lines, acne scars, nasolabial$2,525
RadiesseModerate to severe facial wrinkles. Also used to correct volume loss in hands$975 DHI $750/syringe
SculptraMarionette lines, chin, depressed temples, jowls$1,925
Sep 26, 2017

How do celebrities get rid of marionette lines? ›

Dermal Fillers are injections that include hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance, that helps to encourage the creation of collagen in deep layers of the skin. These fillers plump and hydrate the skin and address the root cause of marionette lines – volume loss.

How long does filler last in marionette lines? ›

Benefits of Marionette Lines Filler

Quick rejuvenation of the lower face for a youthful look. Effects last from 6 to 12 months, sometimes longer. Provides a long period of enhanced appearance without constant maintenance. Less invasive than surgical alternatives, reducing potential risks and recovery time.

Can you get rid of marionette lines naturally? ›

Natural Marionette Lines Treatment Options

You don't always have to get dermal fillers, but you can try increasing your vitamin c intake, using well-reviewed wrinkle creams, consuming anti-inflammatory foods, buying a cream concealer, and more. All these factors will help increase collagen production in your skin.

Do marionette lines go away with weight loss? ›

As you lose fat, your skin will become thinner and less likely to sag or wrinkle in certain areas. This can help reduce the appearance of marionette lines by making them less visible. Additionally, when you lose weight, you may find that your facial muscles become stronger and firmer.

Which muscle causes marionette lines? ›

Factors contributing to the development of the marionette line include maxilla and mandible bone resorption, gravitational forces causing downward displacement, reduction of the deep fat layer beneath the depressor anguli oris muscle, compression of the depressor anguli oris muscle itself, the tethering effect of the ...

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