Marionette lines—which get their name from their resemblance to the split jaws of string puppets—are creases that start at the corners of the mouth and stretch vertically down to the chin. In addition to being visible creases, they can also make sagging on the lower third of the face appear more pronounced. Since the skin around the mouth area is thinner and more fragile compared to the skin on the rest of the face, wrinkles are more likely to form there, especially when the skin loses its elasticity and volume over time. Hyaluronic acid-based facial fillers are believed to be one of the best ways of addressing these wrinkles. Not everyone gets marionette lines, because each person’s facial structure is different—and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you do have them, because they’re completely natural. But if you are bothered by these lines, Juvéderm® from our Portland-based Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery can help to treat the wrinkles. There aren’t any injectable fillers that can “remove” wrinkles for good, but when injected in the correct way, they can temporarily create the appearance of plumper and smoother skin for several months.
People usually focus a lot on wrinkles that develop on the upper part of the face and are caused by facial expressions, such as crow’s feet or forehead lines. However, many of the wrinkles that form on the face are associated with advancing age and deficiency in collagen—a protein that makes skin plump and firm. These lines (including marionette lines) are called static wrinkles and are etched into the skin like grooves.
Fillers like Juvéderm® add fullness to the cheeks to replace some of the volume lost when fat pads shrink in that area. When you start by adding filler to the upper and mid-face, the increase in volume there typically has the effect of reducing slackness in tissue that causes sagging. It can also be added directly to the mouth and chin area to address marionette lines and other lower-face wrinkles.
For more information about injectable facial fillers like Juvéderm®, contact our Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery. Call 503-646-0101 or fill out a contact form to request a consultation and tell us more about your cosmetic goals.