What are Marionette lines?

August 01, 2020

  

Marionette lines are wrinkles that extend from the corners of the mouth to the outer chin. They normally appear on the face after the age of 30 and become more visible as one grows older. Some people are unfortunate enough to get them earlier, making them look older than their true age. As these lines pull down the corners of the mouth, they give the face a permanent sad and drawn look.

Causes

A number of factors contribute to the development of marionette lines. Heredity plays a major role and if its early development runs in your family, the chances are you will develop them early too. Another factor that is not in your control is the pull of gravity. Over the years, as there is loss of volume, gravity pulls the loose skin downwards causing it to collect at the chin. This loss of volume occurs as the soft tissue, fat, collagen and elastin degrades with aging and causes the skin to sag. Marionette lines also become more visible when there is loss of bone in the lower jaw with aging. This bone loss and thinning of lower jaw is more visible when a person does not have any natural teeth and does not wear dentures, thereby accentuating these lines.
Other contributing factors are lifestyle dependant such as smoking, skin damage due to sunbathing without sunscreen, poor diet, sudden weight loss and so on.

Treatment

A regime of facial exercise has been developed that help to tighten the skin. Also known as facial yoga, they can help to mitigate shallow lines. You can also take professional help to reduce these wrinkles. A professional chemical peel not only removes existing wrinkles, but also promotes growth of new skin and gives the face a glowing look on the whole.  Other options available are dermal fillers, botox treatment, laser treatment and so on. Normally, botox treatment is preferred for the upper face and has very limited use for the treatment of puppet lines. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are considered more effective, however they too have their limitations. This is because it can give the lower face a puffed up look, thereby spoiling the natural contours of the face. They may be used in moderation to remove only superficial lines.

Of course, one gets the maximum benefit with a facelift but not everyone wishes to undergo surgery and may prefer a thread lift instead. Thread lift is a short duration procedure that does not require surgery and can provide almost immediate results. Absorbable threads are placed in the skin at particular points which promote collagen development and also tighten the skin.

Prevention

Marionette lines are inevitable with age but their formation can be delayed with good skin care. Regular moisturizing and the use of creams that promote collagen development will keep the skin supple and wrinkle free. It is equally important to use sunscreen when going out. Lifestyle factors like getting enough sleep, eating foods that keep you healthy and staying well hydrated go a long way in giving a glowing and wrinkle free face. 

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