Lines and wrinkles are an inevitable part of life. Even people who diligently use sunscreen, follow a skincare routine, and undergo preventive treatments will see changes in their skin as they get older. Factors like gravity, muscle movements, skin aging, and genetics contribute to the formation of wrinkles and expression lines. Some changes are attractive and add character to your face. Other changes, however, may make you look permanently grouchy, even when you intend to have a pleasant expression.
The marionette lines that extend from the corners of the mouth are a common source of frustration for people who want a more youthful and cheerful appearance. These lines can pull the mouth downward, creating an older or unhappier look than one might feel.
What Are Marionette Lines?
The technical term for marionette lines is melomental folds.1 They get the name marionette lines because they look like the ones on a marionette puppet’s lower jaw. They aren’t the same as the nasolabial folds that extend up from the mouth to the nose. Both marionette lines and nasolabial folds are expression lines that can create deep creases around the mouth.
Like all expression lines, marionette lines are a result of repetitive muscle movements in the face. As the skin ages and loses collagen, folds appear in areas where muscles repeatedly move. Gravity can further accentuate the appearance of marionette lines. The skin of the lower face may start to droop as it becomes less taut and flexible due to aging.
Marionette Lines Causes
One of the major indicators of marionette lines is genetics. If your parents or grandparents had them, you may also be more likely to develop them.
They are also more likely to show up in people who have a history of smoking or extensive sun exposure.2 Smoking creates tension in the muscles around the mouth and can exacerbate age-related skin changes like laxity and volume loss. Sun exposure also reduces skin elasticity, leading to increased signs of aging.
Marionette Lines Treatments
You can reduce the appearance of marionette lines with dermal fillers. These injectable treatments restore lost volume under the skin, smoothing lines and wrinkles for a more youthful look.
Both Juvederm and Restylane are dermal fillers approved for treating deep lines in the melomental folds. In addition, Sculptra and Radiesse are FDA-approved to treat the area around the mouth. Results from fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 12 months or longer.
Fillers offer immediate results, with lines looking smoother right after treatment. You may experience mild inflammation or bruising around the injection sites, but this can be managed with a cool compress or over-the-counter pain medication. Any discomfort typically subsides within a day.
To learn more about fillers for marionette lines, consult a qualified provider in your area or keep reading My Filler Treatment.
SOURCES:
1. Cleveland Clinic: “Marionette Lines.”
2. Cleveland Clinic: “Marionette Lines.”