Marionette lines are named for the area in which they appear - from the corners of the mouth down toward the jaw, similar to the stereotypical lines on a ventriloquist’s dummy. These creases of the lower face tend to appear with age and continue to become more prominent as the facial muscles tighten over time. They are associated with old age, leading many people to view them as unattractive.

If you are displeased with the appearance of your marionette lines, our Minneapolis plastic surgery office is proud to offer a number of ways to reduce their visibility. Both surgical and non-surgical options are available, such as a facelift and various injectables. Rather than lament your signs of aging, be proactive and consider any of the treatment options as noted below.   

What Causes Marionette Lines?

Marionette lines are simply a reflection of the natural muscles and tissues below the skin. As people age, they tend to lose volume in their cheeks, lips, and similar areas of the face, leading to more pronounced curves and creases in certain areas. At the same time, the muscles tend to tighten, drawing particular attention to these creases as the skin conforms to the underlying musculature. The lower face is one area where such changes are especially visible due to the number of tightly packed muscles and the extent to which they are used. While marionette lines are not indicative of one’s health, they do tend to be associated with old age, and can make a person appear more angry or stern. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to treat these signs of aging.

Non-surgical Treatment for Marionette Lines

If you only wish to treat marionette lines, you probably do not wish to undergo any extensive surgery, especially if you are only beginning to notice such changes in your face. We therefore offer a range of injectable treatments to reduce the conspicuousness of such lines:

• Dermal fillers: A dermal filler is a substance that is injected directly into the area where a patient wants to achieve greater volume and smoother texture of the skin. Many fillers are made from naturally occurring substances, such as hyaluronic acid, which work with the body to stimulate collagen growth. This results in a two-fold effect: first, the injectable fills the area to immediately reduce wrinkles and creases, before encouraging the production of fuller, healthier tissue in the future. Our office provides multiple options for such fillers, including JUVÉDERM^®, Perlane^®, Sculptra^®, and Restylane^®.

Depending on the severity of your lines and how your body reacts to different substances, one or more of the above injectables may be recommended. If you are satisfied with your initial treatment, follow-up injections may be utilized in the months or years that follow.

Surgical Treatment for Marionette Lines

When non-surgical treatment fails to achieve full satisfaction, or you have additional signs of aging that you’d like to reduce for your mid- to lower-face, surgical treatment may be worth consideration. Namely, a facelift procedure is a popular and effective way to improve the visual quality of your face’s skin, subcutaneous fat, and muscles. Facelift options include:

• Full facelift: A conventional facelift is the most direct and dramatic way to reduce signs of aging, from wrinkles to drooping cheeks, jowls, loose skin, and under-eye sagging. This option may be appropriate if marionette lines are accompanied by other signs of aging that comprise a large area of the face, or if cosmetic problems are highly visible.
• Lower facelift: This procedure utilizes smaller incisions near the ears, and only addresses problems from the lower cheeks to the jaw. Results tend to be more subtle, and patients benefit from an easier overall recovery due to smaller incisions and less trauma to tissue. If marionette lines are your primary concern, a lower facelift is likely a more reasonable procedure.
• Endoscopic facelift: This technique uses a small, endoscopic camera to aid in the removal and repositioning of tissues. This allows the procedure to be performed without having to peel the skin back, and much smaller incisions can be placed discreetly behind the hairline. An endoscopic facelift may be an excellent option for some patients, depending on the location and severity of their concerns.

Visit Us for More Information

We are happy to provide you with information on all of our cosmetic treatment options, but it is difficult to truly recommend treatment without a personal consultation and assessment. Contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mesna and find out how we can best serve you.