Smile Confidently Again Without Marionette Lines: Here’s How

marionette lines
Confidence comes from accepting your body and mind without any iota of doubt about its perfection. However, this can seem impossible if something as insignificant as marionette lines prevents you from being the superstar that you are. 

You no longer have to suffer in silence or hide that bright and beautiful smile. Here, you will find ways through which you can smile confidently without the need to worry about fine lines. The journey starts now!

What are Marionette Lines?

Also known as nasolabial folds or puppet lines, marionette lines are the wrinkles or vertical lines that run from the corners of the mouth down to the chin. These lines become more evident when there is a decrease in elastin and collagen production that provides support and structure, loss of skin elasticity, and the natural aging process.

These creases are called marionette lines because they are identical to the ones seen on the faces of a marionette puppet, with the impression of a downturned mouth. These lines form an unhappy expression even when the person doesn’t exactly feel these emotions. They are a result of the contour of the face reshaped by these nasolabial folds.

What Causes Marionette Lines?

There are lots of factors that are responsible for this, but the most primary is as a result of the natural aging process. Other causes are as follows.

  • Elastin and Collagen Loss: The natural production of elastin and collagen by the skin that helps with structure and elasticity tends to decrease as people age. A reduction of these essential proteins leads to wrinkles, skin firmness loss, and even marionette lines.
  • Facial Muscle Movements: Recurrent facial movements and expressions like chewing, smiling, and talking can lead to a reduction of elastin and collagen fibers in the skin. Over time, they result in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines.
  • Genetics: It becomes more pronounced and comes along early if you are prone to it as a result of heredity.
  • Loss of Bone Density: There is a gradual loss of bone density in the face as a person ages. The ruin of the underlying bone structure can cause the skin to sag and make the appearance of these lines more evident.
  • Exposure to the Sun: Constant and long exposure to the ultraviolet rays from the sun can speed up the aging process of the skin. Since it damages the elastin and collagen fibers, premature aging and pronounced marionette lines become inevitable.
  • Smoking: This is another factor that causes premature aging of the skin. It narrows blood vessels, deprives the skin of nutrients and oxygen, and lessens blood flow. All of these lead to an early formation of wrinkles and puppet lines.
  • Although these lines are a natural part of aging, making specific lifestyle choices can help minimize their appearance.

    How to Get Rid of Marionette Lines

    It is possible to soften and lessen the appearance of marionette lines. Some of the procedures or treatments that can help are dermal fillers, botox injections, skin resurfacing treatments, skin tightening procedures, retinoids and topical treatments, facial exercises, medical microneedling, and surgical options.

    However, it is important to consult a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon before proceeding to choose whatever marionette line treatment you prefer. They can help you evaluate your skin, discuss realistic goals and results, and even recommend the most appropriate treatment plans that can help lessen marionette lines' appearance.
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    Facial Exercises for Marionette Lines

    This is a natural and non-invasive method on how to prevent marionette lines and shape the muscles around your mouth. While performing these exercises, always ensure that you perform them gently so that you don’t end up straining your facial muscles. Here are some notable ones you can try about 10 to 15 times daily.

  • Cheek Lifts: Smile widely without showing your teeth and try to lift your cheeks towards your eyes in the process. Hold this position for a few seconds and relax before repeating.
  • Cheek Puffs: Close your mouth and puff your cheeks in the air. Then, move the air from one cheek to the other as though you are swishing mouthwash in your mouth. You can do this continuously for about three minutes daily.
  • Lip Lifts: Close your mouth, relax your lips, and smile as wide as you can while keeping your lips closed. Remain like this for a few seconds and relax before you start again.
  • Chin Tucks: Tilt your head back slightly, push your chin forward, and lift it slightly upward. Hold this position for a few seconds and relax before trying again.
  • Facial Yoga Lion Pose: Stand or sit comfortably and inhale deeply through your nose. Exhale through your mouth while sticking your tongue out and stretching it downward. Then, open your eyes wide and look upward. Maintain this pose for a couple of seconds and relax before trying again.
  • Fish Face: Suck your cheeks in as much as possible and smile while keeping your cheeks sucked in. Stay like these for a few seconds and loosen up before trying again.
  • To see improvements when comparing before and after marionette lines, you must consistently and diligently perform these exercises. Also, note that the results vary due to different factors like face structure, age, genetics, and degree of damage. These exercises may be more effective when combined with other skincare treatments and routines.

    Marionette Lines Filler

    Dermal fillers are a common way to address and treat nasolabial folds. It entails adding volume and plump to the area and smoothing out the wrinkles. There are different filler options available to treat these lines.

    Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers are a naturally occurring substance in the body, which makes it quite safe and reversible. Depending on the product, they can last for more than a year. Usual choices are Belotero, Juvederm, and Restylane.

    Calcium Hydroxylapatite fillers help to induce collagen production and last for up to a year or more. A typical example is Radiesse which is made of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel.

    Poly-L-Lactic Acid fillers like Sculptra stimulate collagen production slowly over multiple sessions. This procedure lasts for up to two years.

    Marionette Lines Botox

    Botox (Botulinum toxin) is not a primary go-to treatment for marionette lines because they are mostly caused by the sagging of facial tissues and reduction in skin elasticity rather than muscle movement. Botox usually works by relaxing muscles and is a more effective treatment for active wrinkles caused by contractions like forehead lines or crow’s feet.

    However, there are cases where Botox can be used as a combination treatment approach, and this is one of them. It can be used in adjacent areas like the muscles around the mouth or chin to relax specific muscles that contribute to the downward pull of the mouth corners. Consequently, it helps to complement the effects of dermal fillers and form a more lifted appearance by relaxing these muscles.

    Micro-Needling

    It is a minimally invasive cosmetic that entails using a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries in the skin. The process induces the body’s natural wound-healing reaction and leads to more elastin and collagen production. As a result, there is an improvement in skin texture and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines like marionette lines on the face.

    Occlusion Patches for Marionette Lines

    This is a painless treatment option you can choose when conflicted about how to get rid of marionette lines naturally. The SILICONEFUSION™ Eyes & Mouth Patches are reusable 100% medical grade silicone patches that help to combat wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. It effectively treats marionette lines by naturally boosting and retaining moisture to tighten these fine lines. These Dermaclara silicone patches prevent the need for medical procedures such as Botox, fillers, or laser resurfacing.

    These patches are cost-effective because you can use them up to 30 times as long as you follow the tips below.

    • Slowly peel patches off the skin.
    • Rinse patches with warm water.
    • Apply patch prep to remove any oils or dry, dead skin.
    • Rinse again with warm water.
    • Allow to air dry.
    • Place patches sticky side down on the textured side of the backing card and place them in a resealable pouch.

    All you need to do is wash your face, dry fully, put these patches on the affected areas, leave for about 15 to 30 minutes for effectiveness, and slowly peel back to remove patches. With this treatment, consistency is key to achieving the desired result.

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