What’s the Best Way to Treat Marionette Lines?

Facial wrinkles can make us look years older, angry, unfriendly, unhappy, or all of the above—even when we don’t feel that way inside. As your skin ages, lines known as marionette lines or melomental folds, which are creases that extend from the corners of the mouth to the chin, begin to form. They are called marionette lines because they look similar to the prominent lines that are seen on the chins of puppets. These wrinkles sometimes also cause sagging to occur on the lower face as well. Does Juvéderm^® work on marionette lines? Our Westlake Village patients who are searching for ways to soften lines on the mid-face and lower face often ask us this.

The short answer is “yes they do!” That said, the most effective treatment for each individual varies depending on their goals, the severity of their wrinkles, and their current state of health. Here are three options for treating folds on the lower face:

Facial Fillers 

Facial fillers like the Juvéderm^® collection help to reduce the depth of marionette lines. Unlike injectable botulinum toxin treatments that relax muscles, fillers don’t prevent contractions. Instead, fillers are soft gels that often contain hyaluronic acid as their main ingredient. They work by plumping the skin. One of the benefits of these treatments is that results appear right away. Only a small amount of filler is needed to preserve a subtle, natural-looking appearance. 

Microneedling 

One of the main causes of wrinkles is collagen deficiency as the skin ages. Microneedling, also known as collagen-induction therapy, promotes healing processes in the skin and kickstarts collagen regeneration to make the surface smoother and firmer. The collagen that is generated adds fullness to the skin to fill in pronounced wrinkles. 

Chemical Peels 

Chemical peels are skin resurfacing treatments that are ideal for exfoliating the top layers and softening lines. An acid solution is applied directly to the skin, which causes the dead or damaged cells to peel off so that newer, healthier skin cells can take their place. This treatment also improves circulation and encourages collagen production.

Our team at Pierre Skin Care Institute can provide more advice on how facial fillers and other skin enhancement treatments can benefit you, whether you want to treat marionette lines or not. Call us at 805-496-9190 or fill out a contact form to request an appointment if you’d like to learn more.