People with visible marionette lines tend to look sad or dissatisfied, which is why patients attempt to erase them with different cosmetic treatments. If you want to get rid of the marionette lines and nasolabial folds on the skin, Botox and dermal fillers are two of the most popular treatments to choose from.

So which between Botox and dermal fillers is the best treatment for marionette lines? Botox is useful for relaxing the muscles that pull down the corners of the mouth, while dermal fillers are the “go-to” treatment for erasing marionette lines because they are more effective in adding volume to the lower parts of the face. Doctors may also recommend combining both treatments to achieve the best results.

What Causes Marionette Lines to Form?

Marionette lines are the vertical lines that run from the corner of the mouth down to the chin. These lines got their name from the ventriloquist puppets with split jaws which allow them to “talk” as a part of the puppeteer’s trick.

These lines form as a person ages and the collagen levels in the body decreases. They tend to develop during your 40s, but early signs of marionette lines can start showing in your 20s and 30s. Aside from natural aging, other factors that cause the early formation of marionette lines include prolonged sun exposure, poor nutrition, and stress.

Tips to Prevent Formation of Marionette Lines

Like other signs of aging, there are a few steps you can take to keep the skin healthy and youthful. By following these tips, you can prevent the formation of marionette lines as you age:

• Adopting a Skincare Routine – Among the plethora of skincare products on the market today, there are countless types of creams, masks, and serums that will work wonders in maintaining your skin’s youthful glow. Always check the ingredients list of every product to see if it includes one or two wrinkle-fighting compounds like hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, and niacinamide.
• Avoiding Sun Exposure – UV rays are one of the leading causes of the skin’s structural breakdown. It’s best to avoid heading outside when the sun is at its peak. If you must go out, make sure to protect the skin and face with broad-spectrum sunscreens.
• Maintaining Stable Weight – Weight fluctuations such as extreme weight loss can result in saggy skin. Losing the fat in the body may cause the lower part of the face to develop folds and loose skin.

Like wrinkles and other signs of aging, marionette lines can be treated with different cosmetic procedures. Facelift (or rhytidectomy) is a surgical treatment that permanently erases wrinkles and fine lines. For this surgery, the doctor removes the fat from the treatment area and lifts the underlying tissues upward to tighten the face.

However, surgical procedures like facelift have more risks. They also require more downtime to allow the patients to fully recover. Luckily, non-surgical injectables like Botox and dermal fillers are also found to be effective in erasing the marionette lines off the face.

Eliminating Marionette Lines with Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectables that are usually made of either hyaluronic acid or poly-L-lactic acid. These compounds mimic the effect of elastin and collagen on the skin, effectively smoothing the fine lines and wrinkles on the face.

Restylane and Juvederm are two of the most popular dermal fillers that are used in treating the lines on the face. Restylane is typically used to fill the hollow cheeks and tear trough, while Juvederm is excellent for the lower part of the face and areas near the lips.

Dermal fillers will show initial results immediately after the procedure. The optimal results can be seen in 7-14 days, after the product has settled underneath the skin. Fillers can last for up to 24 months with the right aftercare practices.

The usual cost of fillers for marionette lines is based on the kind of filler used and the required number of injections.

Eliminating Marionette Lines with Botox

Botox injections use small doses of the neurotoxin botulinum toxin type A to relax the muscles in the treatment area. Botox is useful for erasing the frown lines between the brows, worry lines in the forehead, and other areas in the face that tend to overexert the facial muscles.

By injecting Botox near the mouth, the Depressor Anguli Oris muscle will relax and the corners of the lips will be lifted. However, this may only be effective if the cause of marionette lines are the droopy corners of the mouth.

The full results of Botox injections usually show within 14 days after the treatment, but most patients already notice the initial onset in just 3-5 days. Depending on how well you take care of the body, Botox injections can last up to 4 months.

Botox injections are usually priced per unit so the cost of treating marionette lines will depend on the number of units injected into the muscles. The exact price will also vary depending on the clinic’s location and the provider’s experience.

Botox or Dermal Fillers for Marionette Lines: Our Verdict

While both treatments can reduce different signs of aging, Botox and dermal fillers differ in their approach. Botox works by relaxing the muscles around the mouth, but it cannot soften the deep folds in the nasolabial area. In this case, a volume-adding injectable like dermal fillers is often the better choice because it can fill the deep wrinkles and smoothen the skin.

Some patients also combine these two treatments especially if the corners of the mouth are turned downwards. For best results, consult the doctor first to ask if combining the two procedures is appropriate for you.

Marionette Line Treatments at Anand Medical Spa

Here at Anand Medical Spa, our staff is dedicated to helping you attain a youthful look once again, giving you the confidence and beauty you deserve. Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our clients as they undergo different aesthetic procedures.

Erase marionette lines and other signs of aging with the best treatments that we offer here at Anand Medical Spa. Call us now to schedule an appointment.

Read more: What Type of Headache Responds Best to Botox?