Marionette lines and smile lines are a common reason for patients to consider dermal fillers. Loss of volume in the lower face can cause these lines to be more prominent, and they tend to deepen with age. These areas are good candidates for a dermal filler treatment known as Radiesse, an option that not only restores this volume but also encourages your body to rebuild some of this lost structure.
How to Tell Smile Lines and Marionette Lines Apart
What Are Smile Lines?
Smile lines are also called nasolabial folds. They start at the sides of the nose and go to the corners of the mouth. At first, they may only be visible when you smile, but eventually, enough volume can be lost that they are present even when your face is at rest.
What Are Marionette Lines?
Marionette lines are the vertical creases that go from the corners of the mouth toward the chin. They were named after the hinged jaw of puppets, and lines in this facial area can make the mouth look like it is permanently turned down. These lines depend on lost support along the jawline and may appear later than smile lines.
Do They Always Occur Together?
Some people are more prone to one type of wrinkle over another because of the underlying structure of their face and their facial expressions. They can appear around the same stage of aging, but not always. Sometimes, treating just one area can leave the lower face looking unbalanced, so Dr. Lee makes sure to assess the entire area before recommending a treatment plan.
What Causes These Facial Lines?
Collagen and Elastin Decline
Collagen and elastin are two proteins that provide the main structure for your skin. They keep it elastic and help it bounce back, and they help keep the surface of the skin smooth. Production of both slows as you reach your mid-twenties and keeps declining as you age. Eventually, skin starts to thin and fold along the paths where it moves the most, including around the mouth.
Shifting Midface Volume
Within the cheeks are fat pads that keep the shape of the face high and full in youth. These pads naturally lose volume and descend with time, removing some of the support from the middle of the face. This can push tissue toward the mouth and deepen smile lines. Sometimes, the fix for these lines is to build up more support in the cheeks through collagen stimulation.
Changes in the Jaw and Chin Bones
From what we have observed about facial aging, resorption of bone in areas like the jawline and chin can cause certain areas of the face to change and look more hollow. With less bony support underneath in the foundation of the face, the corners of the mouth are more likely to drop.
Why Radiesse Is a Good Option for the Lower Face
Radiesse is a filler made of calcium hydroxylapatite, a substance naturally found in bone. These microspheres are suspended in a water-based gel to give the filler more structure. When injected, the gel adds volume to the skin right away, while the calcium particles form a base beneath the skin that stimulates biological processes. Radiesse is a good choice for nasolabial folds and marionette lines because:
- It Builds Structure and Volume: The calcium base gives the skin a firm framework, so it does more than volumize wrinkles and instead restores support to tissue that has thinned.
- It Stimulates Your Own Collagen: Studies of treated skin show the calcium particles prompt cells to grow fresh collagen, which keeps building firmness for months after the gel fades.
- It Holds Up in a High-Movement Zone: The mouth moves constantly through talking and eating, and the firmness of Radiesse resists the repeated folding that re-etches lines in softer areas.
- It Tends to Last Longer: Results commonly last twelve to eighteen months, longer than many lighter fillers, partly because your own collagen continues supporting the area.
Treating the Cause With Radiesse
The most natural results often come from placing filler slightly away from the line itself. When smile lines and marionette lines trace back to lost cheek volume and a weaker jaw, an injector can add support in the cheek or jawline to lift the area rather than just trying to fill the crease. Sometimes, filling a fold directly may be the better option. Dr. Lee’s knowledge of facial structures and the products she works with allows her to choose the right technique for your situation.
When Radiesse May Not Be the Right Choice
Radiesse is not right for every situation, and Dr. Lee does not recommend treatments when they will not benefit a patient. This dermal filler is thick, so it is best used in areas that can handle this structure rather than in delicate or thin areas like the lips. It cannot be dissolved like hyaluronic acid fillers, so it is best for those who are looking for longer-lasting results rather than those who want flexible options. Some patients may be better candidates for hyaluronic acid options like JUVÉDERM or Restylane.
How Dr. Lee Approaches Marionette and Smile Line Treatment
- A Surgeon’s Precision and an Artist’s Touch: Dr. Mimi Lee is a board-certified surgeon who has over two decades of experience with facial injections and has personally placed more than a thousand syringes of filler and over 130,000 units of Botox and Dysport.
- A Comfort-First Injection Technique: Dr. Lee keeps her patients comfortable during injectables, always using numbing cream and techniques that minimize bruising and make injections pain-free.
- One-on-One Care: Every treatment is performed by Dr. Lee herself, and visits are relaxed and personalized.
Schedule Your Consultation in Little Rock, AR
At a consultation, Mimi Lee M.D. PA examines your smile lines and marionette lines and reviews your history before explaining whether Radiesse or another option is right for you. To book a visit, call 501-224-0880 or reach out online to talk to us about the changes you would like to see.