Posted: April 1, 2025
Marionette lines, the vertical wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, are a natural (and very common) part of aging. Genetics and harmful environmental exposure can expedite these changes in aging. However, lifestyle choices and skincare habits can play a significant role by slowing down these changes.
By adopting a proactive approach, individuals can maintain a youthful appearance and prevent premature sagging. At Atalo Aesthetics, we curate customized annual plans for patients based on their budget and availability to come into the office for treatments.
By: Kaitlyn Hunter, NP
___
One of the most effective ways to prevent marionette lines is through proper skincare products at home. By prioritizing a skincare routine, you have two opportunities every day (AM and PM) to pamper your skin with all the necessary ingredients. Of the utmost importance is hydration. Using a moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid, peptides, and collagen-boosting ingredients helps plump the skin and maintain elasticity.
Sunscreen is equally important, as UV exposure breaks down collagen and accelerates skin aging. Often I see patients who spend a lot of time driving in the car due to their sales job, and the left side of the face has aged at an accelerated rate compared to the right. The third good product to incorporate into a routine is a physical or chemical exfoliant. Lastly, nighttime use of retinoids helps encourage skin cell turnover.
In addition to skincare products, there are tools that can be utilized at home to help keep the lower face lifted and smooth. One popular tool called the gua sha can be utilized for the entire face, including the jawline and marionette line area. The guasha tool has the ability to improve blood circulation, reduce puffiness, and relieve tension in the face.
Another option to use at home are facial patches (aka “frownies”). These patches are designed to be utilized at night while sleeping to provide extra support to problematic areas of the face. Facial patches come in all different shapes and sizes so it may take some time to find a brand that works best for you!
We love these eye masks from Epicutis!
Outside of skincare products, in-office treatments will play a significant role in the improvement of marionette lines. Depending on the depth of the marionette line, multiple options may be available. For very soft marionette lines that do not have a lot of volume loss, light based or laser modalities will provide improvement to the area. By creating a controlled injury over the marionette line area, collagen stimulation occurs. Maintenance treatments will need to be done throughout the year to maintain results. If the marionette line is more prominent, injectables such as Sculptra or Hylauronic Acid fillers will be more suitable as both options provide deeper support to the area and restore lost volume.
Filler is usually the better option for the initial treatment as it provides immediate results. Filler usually lasts anywhere from 9-15 months depending on the metabolism rate of the body. For example, an extremely active patient may metabolize filler faster than an individual who isn’t active. Some patients really enjoy filler and schedule maintenance treatments for their marionette lines every year.
Other patients opt to switch to longer-lasting options like Sculptra. Sculptra is a biostimulator so it stimulates the production of collagen in the tissue where it is injected. It does take six months to achieve full results, so this is something to be mindful of and plan accordingly. For some patients, I will inject filler for an immediate result and then inject Sculptra 3-6 months later. As the body metabolizes the filler, Sculptra takes effect, ensuring natural-looking results throughout the entire process.
Check out this before and after of Sculptra from one of our own patients—the results speak for themselves!
Regardless of the aesthetic concern, I firmly believe that combination therapy is the best approach. By utilizing skincare products and tools at home in addition to in-office medical-grade treatments, the best results may be achieved! Any aesthetic concern takes persistence and accountability. If you’re searching for marionette line treatments, I highly recommend finding an educated provider close to you that specializes in injectables as well as laser modalities to ensure the best treatment options are available.
And if you’re local to Cincinnati, Ohio—come see us! Schedule a consultation with one of our providers. That way they can asses your skin and suggest the best treatment plan specifically for you.
October 5, 2026
Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect the skin in ways many women do not initially connect to this stage of life. Increased dryness,…
Read More
September 21, 2026
If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you’ve probably heard the word “prejuvenation” somewhere on social media. Maybe it was in a video about preventative…
Read More
August 10, 2026
Separating Skincare Supplement Hype from Reality Social media is filled with content on vitamins and supplements marketed for better skin. While some of these supplements…
Read More
shop