Mouth to Chin Lines (Marionette Lines)

Mouth to chin lines are facial creases that appear as a result of the ageing process, often becoming noticeable when a person is in their 40’s or 50’s.

They run vertically from the mouth towards the chin, giving a similar look to a marionette puppet and the split jaw that enables them to talk. This common ageing-related condition can occur as the skin around the mouth is naturally thinner and more prone to the effects of ageing.

The impact that these wrinkles can have on a person’s general appearance, often cause a look that is sad and weary and not a true reflection of their usual happy outlook.

Mouth to chin lines, just like other wrinkles, develop from the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. This is a normal process that occurs as a person gets older, often beginning long before the effects are noticeable. Collagen is the skin’s natural filler and is what helps to give the face a look that is youthfully plump.

Elastin gives the skin its bounce, stretching and contracting as required to aid movements of the face. These two components, as well as the skin’s hydration, can start to diminish when a person is in their 20’s, which starts to affect the structure and cause wrinkles.

Choices we make during our lives, such as: prolonged sun exposure, smoking, poor diet and consuming alcohol, can all impact on the rate at which these processes occur and the age at which the signs of ageing will appear. Gravity also plays its part in the formation of marionette lines, pulling down on weak and sagging skin to create a heavy look around the mouth and jaw.

Ageing affects people differently and is often influenced by our genetics, determining the types of wrinkles that can develop. At The Bloom Clinic, dermal fillers placed in this area can add volume to plump out the lines to form a natural-looking, more even surface.

Anti-wrinkle injections can also be used to help reduce the appearance of mouth to chin lines by relaxing the muscles that control movement in this area, stopping the skin from creasing. A youthful look can be restored to the lower face, as well as a happier, more confident you.