What are Marionette lines?
Marionette lines are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, so named for the mouth piece of a marionette puppet. These lines arise from repeated expressions using the muscles in the mouth as well as changes in fat and skin elasticity that occurs naturally as we age. Marionette lines tend to give the appearance that someone is frowning and can make the face look sad and tired. These lines can be corrected through cosmetic treatments.
What is the best treatment for marionette lines?
For lines around the mouth, marionette lines are often treated through dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that restore lost volume in the face, stimulate collagen production, and attract moisture to the treatment area. This fills in the wrinkles and folds while improving skin texture and flexibility.
Fillers are a more effective cure for marionette lines and can help remove or at least reduce the appearance of these stubborn lines.
Is Botox good for marionette lines?
Although most people are skeptical about the process but when done correctly, Botox can help reduce some of the marionette lines by preventing further grooving. Most experts recommend a combination of Botox and fillers for the best outcome. Botox alone will not help you achieve the recovery you want especially since the depressor muscles are located in the deeper folds. Botox treatment will relax the outer folds preventing further caving and fillers can conceal existing lines and furrows.
Fillers, as the name implies, fill the hollows which play a great role in the creation of puppet line, plus they increase the amount of collagen on facial skin, thus making it much more elastic. They work to restore skin to its former state which is why they are ideal for marionette lines.
Click here to find out more information about dermal filler treatment.
Dr Usman Qureshi (Dr Q) is a leading expert in aesthetic medicine with a 22 year career and a background spanning general practice, including A&E, and 12 years specialising in cosmetic procedures. A University of Glasgow graduate of 2002, he is the innovator behind the signature Q Lift, has performed over 20,000 procedures, and is an international speaker and trainer whose work has featured in Glamour and Harpers Bazaar.
