Marionette Lines: Causes, Prevention, Treatments, Exercises, FAQs, Homemade remedies and Makeup

Updated on 25th October 2022

What are Marionette Lines?

What Causes Marionette Lines?

How to prevent Marionette Lines?

How to get rid of marionette Lines?

Homemade remedies

How to hide marionette lines with makeup?

Marionette lines exercises

FAQ's About Marionette lines

Brief summary

What are Marionette Lines?

Marionette lines are the wrinkles that start from your lips and go all the way to your chin. They are called so because of the marionette string puppets which have vertical lines on the same place. They make you look sad and angry. They become visible when you are in your 40’s but can be seen as fine lines even in your 20’s or 30’s.

You need to prevent them or treat them or even hide them if you want to look younger. But before looking at treatment options it will be good to look at the causes of marionette lines. This will help us to prevent and treat them properly.

What causes Marionette Lines?

Marionette lines are like most wrinkles that are formed on your face, neck and hands. So the most common cause for them is aging. There is protein called collagen in our body. This protein is responsible to give strength to your skin. As we age the production of collagen comes down. Research has shown that there is a 1 to 2 percent drop in the formation of collagen every year from your twenties.

Another reason for formation of wrinkles is the suns UV rays. When we move out in the sun we come in contact with the suns UV rays. These rays produce free radicals in our skin. These free radicals damage the skins collagen and elastin, which in turn results in saggy skin and fine lines. This is especially true for white skinned people like Americans.

Other external factors like smoke and pollution can also cause marionette lines. Another bad habit that we have is not washing our faces at night time when we do makeup. This clogs the pores of the skin and can lead to wrinkles.

Smoking is another bad habit that can cause marionette lines. The nicotine in the smoke causes addiction, but do you know it can cause fine lines. This happens as nicotine reduces the blood flow to the skin by constricting blood vessels. It also creates free radicals in our skin that will damage the collagen in your skin.

Repeated facial expressions can also cause fine lines like marionette lines. This is true about smoking, drinking from a straw. This is fine when you are young. But as we age our skin loses the ability to jump back in place. These fine lines then become a lasting feature.

How to prevent Marionette Lines?

Marionette lines like any wrinkles will appear as we age. It is not possible to directly prevent them. But you can delay the onset for a long period of time and look younger. Since they appear due to lack of collagen, prevention methods must include ways to boost the production of collagen. This is very much possible with lifestyle changes.

Use Sun protection

This is the most important step to take if you want to prevent marionette lines. Your present wrinkles are a result of you not using sunscreen while moving out in your youthful days. But it’s still not late for you to take precautions. So use a sunscreen of SPF above 30. Apply sunscreen after every two hours of staying out in the sun. This will protect your skin from sun damage due to free radicals.

Also the skin around your eyes is very sensitive. So use sun glasses to protect your eyes. If possible don’t move out of your house in the afternoons as 90 percent of the UV radiation is present during this time.

Drink lots of water

If there is one step that you can take to reverse the effect of old age is that you must drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Water helps to maintain skins elasticity. It also plumps up the skin and your wrinkles become less visible.

Anti-wrinkle Diet

Since marionette lines are formed due to lack of collagen you will need to eat foods that are rich in collagen. Egg whites, chicken and bone broth are some foods rich in collagen.

Anti-oxidants in our body help us to get rid of free radicals. So consuming foods rich in anti-oxidants can help to prevent skin damage due to exposure to sun. Fruits like blueberries, strawberries, papayas, apples and red grapes are examples of foods rich in anti-oxidants. In vegetables you must eat broccoli, spinach, carrots, tomatoes and cauliflowers.

Staying moisturized is also important to prevent wrinkles. So eating foods that help you to preserve the moisture content is also important. Avocadoes, fatty fish like salmon and mackerels, coconuts, oatmeal and extra virgin olive oil can help your skin to stay moisturised.

How to get rid of marionette lines?

As far as wrinkles are concerned only surgery is a permanent solution. Other medical treatments are temporary though they last for a significant amount of time.

Marionette lines filler

Marionette lines fillers are injections that plump up wrinkles. They smooth the lines that go from your lips to chin. This is a minimal invasive type of procedure. In this procedure hyaluronic acid is injected into your face. This acid moisturizes and gives volume to your face. You may have mild bruising and swelling which will go away in a few days.

Botox for marionette lines

Botox like dermal fillers is also a minimal invasive procedure. Unlike dermal fillers botox doesn’t plump up the skin. Botox for marionette lines works by relaxing the muscles around the wrinkles. This makes the skin smoother. There will be slight bruising at the site of injection for a few days. You need to repeat the treatment every three months. Also this treatment will only work on fine marionette lines.

Micro needling

This is another way to treat marionette lines. In this treatment procedure a device with a very fine oscillating needle tips is used to make controlled punctures in the skin. When this is used on marionette lines it will boost the production of elastin and collagen which will help to get rid of these lines and wrinkles.

Chemical peels

Marionette lines can be treated by using chemical peels. Such peels exfoliate and rejuvenate the skin. This will increase the volume of the skin. Chemical peels against marionette lines must be performed by a dermatologist.

Facelift surgery

Surgery must be done for marionette lines after all other treatment options have failed. Also you must do facelift only when the wrinkles are deep. In this procedure fat, skin or muscle will be repositioned or removed. Since it’s a major surgery you will need a surgeon to do it. It usually takes on to two weeks for recovery.

Homemade remedies for marionette lines

We have here some very good homemade remedies. These will help you to get rid of marionette lines and other wrinkles on your face. You won’t need to spend a lot of money as the ingredients for these remedies are easily available in the kitchen. All you need is some time.

Yogurt and olive oil mask

Yogurt is a food that can boost the moisture content in your skin. Olive oil on the other hand can help to preserve moisture in your skin. Both these together will keep your skin hydrated and free of wrinkles.

For this mask you will have to take a tablespoon of yogurt and mix it with five drops of olive oil. Massage your face with this mixture and rest for 15 minutes. Repeat this three times a week.

Milk and honey mask

Like yogurt milk is a very good moisturizer. It is also capable of repairing damaged skin. Honey on the other hand is a gentle exfoliator. It also can give your skin a natural glow. Take two tablespoons of honey and add another two tablespoons of milk. Heat this combination and mix. Take a brush and apply this mask all over your face. Keep it for five minutes and wash with warm water. Do this for once a week.

Green tea yogurt mask

The benefits of yogurt as moisturizing agent have already been mentioned above. As far as green tea is concerned it is full of antioxidants which can neutralize free radicals. This will help you to get rid of saggy skin and wrinkles.

Mix a tablespoon of yogurt with a cool cup of green tea. Mix and stir both this items. Apply this mixture to your skin with cotton ball. For good results you will have to use this mixture for two times a week.

How to hide marionette lines with makeup?

Use makeup that has antioxidants actives in them. As you know antioxidants help to get rid of the skin damaging free radicals. Therefore if your makeup has antioxidants in them then you can not only hide wrinkles but get rid of them also.

To hide marionette lines with makeup is a skilful trick and you need to know a few make-up tricks. The key here is to lighten the area. The concealer you use must be one shade lighter than your skin tone. In this case a moisturizing concealer is the best.

Apply four spots along your marionette lines. Tap the concealer with your index finger gently. Let the concealer set. Now use the highlighter and brush up and down the concealer. If the highlighter is liquid then dot your lines with your fingers. If it is a pen then simply draw lines.

Marionette lines exercises

As opposed to treatments, exercises work on strengthening the skin and muscles to get rid of marionette lines. These exercises don’t need any special equipment. Only a chair is enough.

First exercise

Sit on chair and tilt your head to look towards the ceiling. Now start making movements with your mouth as if you were chewing something. This has to be done for 15 minutes. You will start to see results in a few days.

Second exercise

For this exercise you need to relax first. Close your eyes and gently breathe in oxygen and exhale softly. Relax your muscles around your marionette line. Do this for a few times to relax.

Now take your thumb and place it near your nose on your nasolabial fold (line going from nose to mouth). Pull your muscles upwards. While doing this roll both your lips. Do this for five times. Inhale while lifting and exhale while bringing down. Now relax for a few moments.

FAQ's About Marionette lines

There are many questions our readers ask us about marionette lines. In this section we have tried to answer these questions.

Are marionette lines hereditary?

Are marionette lines ugly?

Marionette lines create the appearance of a sad and angry face and also makes a person look older. So yes marionette lines are ugly.

What are marionette lines caused from?

As mentioned above there are five reasons for the formation of marionette lines. They are aging, sun exposure, smoking, severe stress and genetics.

How common are marionette lines?

Marionette lines are quite common in the western world. Most people will get them as they age. However if you use sun protection and don’t smoke, you will get wrinkles at a later stage in life.

Are fillers good for marionette lines?

Yes fillers are one of the treatment options used by dermatologists to treat marionette lines.

Can marionette lines be treated with botox?

Yes marionette lines can be treated using botox. However the treatment has to be repeated after every three months.

How to hide marionette lines?

You can use a few makeup tricks as mentioned above to hide marionette lines. Use a concealer that is shade lighter than your skin tone. Use a moisturizing concealer.

What’s best for marionette lines?

This depends on whether you have fine lines or deeper wrinkles. For fine lines an over the counter retinol based cream is fine. For deeper wrinkles you will have to go for treatment options.

When do marionette lines appear?

As mentioned above you can get marionette lines in your twenties if you don’t use sun protection and smoke heavily. However for most people marionette lines will appear in their forties.

Does everyone get marionette lines?

Marionette lines like any other wrinkles will appear as you age. You can delay the onset of marionette lines by using sunscreen, avoiding smoking and drinking, eating a diet rich in antioxidants, sleeping well and relaxing.

Can marionette lines be filled?

Yes you can use dermal fillers for marionette lines.

Will micro needling help marionette lines?

Yes micro needling is one of the recommended treatment options for marionette lines.

Will facelift fix marionette lines?

Yes facelift surgery can be performed to fix marionette lines.

Will retinol help marionette lines?

Retinol based over the counter creams can help marionette lines. But if you want faster results then visit a dermatologists. The prescription retinols are more intense then OTC creams.

How much does it cost to get rid of marionette lines?

Over the counter retinol creams can cost 20 to 30 dollars. For treatments like dermal fillers and botox you will have to shell out a hundreds of dollars. Dermal fillers cost around 500 dollars and botox 300 dollars per injections. Dermal fillers have to be repeated after 1 year and botox after 3 months.

Can you get rid of marionette lines naturally?

Yes there are homemade remedies for marionette lines that are mentioned above. Click if you want to try some homemade marionette lines remedy.

Does weight loss cause marionette lines?

Sudden weight loss will give rise to marionette lines.

Brief summary

Marionette lines make you look old and sad and you must try to get rid of them. You can prevent marionette lines and delay their onset. Also there are lot of treatment options that you can try. You can use our homemade remedies or exercises. Finally if you are in a hurry then you can hide marionette lines by using makeup.