No Strings Attached: Marionette Lines Treatment By Constance M. Barone, M.D. on October 28, 2014

Even if the phrase “marionette lines” is new to you, you probably have an idea that there’s no way it has a positive meaning. If you have marionette lines - the deep lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth to the chin - you definitely know how frustrating these aesthetic blemishes can be. Perhaps you are considering facelift surgery, assuming that there may be no other way to rid yourself of lines that are so prominent.

If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of marionette lines on your face, you are not alone. Unlike other facial wrinkles, which can be dismissed as signs of aging, unwanted as they may be, marionette lines can profoundly affect how others perceive your personality and demeanor. These lines can make you look perpetually angry or sad, even when you are not intending to show any emotion whatsoever. At the practice of Constance M. Barone, M.D., F.A.C.S., we have had numerous patients turn to us, desperate to free themselves of their marionette lines.

In some cases, facial plastic surgery may provide the best, and certainly longest-lasting, results. However, for some patients, it may be possible to postpone more invasive procedures for a few years while diminishing the appearance of marionette lines and dramatically rejuvenating their facial skin. At our plastic surgery practice in San Antonio, marionette lines treatment can take several possible forms. You can rest assured that your treatment plan will be customized to meet your unique needs and goals by one of the nation’s most innovative and highly respected plastic surgeons.

Dermal Fillers

The most effective non-surgical treatment for marionette lines involves the strategic injection of one or more dermal fillers into the lines. Dr. Barone has extensive experience in using various dermal fillers, including Restylane®, Perlane®, JUVEDERM®, and Radiesse®. Each of these fillers can be used individually to plump up the hollow recesses that manifest themselves as deep marionette lines, temporarily rejuvenating the face. What many people do not realize, however, is that some of these fillers can also be used in combination with one another as well; for example, Restylane® and Perlane® are often carefully layered to treat marionette lines. The treatment plan that is best suited to your particular case will depend on several factors, including your skin type, the depth of your marionette lines, and your treatment goals.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

If you are just beginning to show signs of marionette lines and other wrinkles on your face, then laser skin resurfacing may provide a good, if temporary, solution. Eventually, however, you will most likely require a more aggressive solution.

Facelift Surgery

If you are satisfied with the results of your dermal filler treatments, then you can repeat those treatments safely for as long as you like. However, if you want to address the problem at the source and achieve more permanent results, you may wish to consider facelift surgery. Many of our patients undergo facelift surgery in order to achieve smoother skin at its foundation, and then augment their results with dermal fillers for a more comprehensive rejuvenating effect.