Puppet wrinkles: how to get rid of the wrinkles of grief?

Expert tested

Avdeyuk Elena Vladimirovna Dermatovenerologist, cosmetologist

Publication date: December 05, 2022

Review date: November 19, 2022

Marionette lines or marionette lines, which descend from the corners of the mouth down to the chin area, are often referred to by experts as grief lines.

Indeed, such wrinkles give the face a dissatisfied and sad expression. A person looks 10 years older than he actually is.

Marionette lines are formed by labiomental skin folds. They begin to appear mainly after 30 years. Experts explain that this is the result of muscle relaxation against the background of thinning subcutaneous fat in the nose and lips. This causes the tissues to droop and form folds that outline the sides of the chin.

Gutsenko Liliya Anatolevna

Cosmetologist

Why do marionette wrinkles appear?

The main causes of marionette wrinkles are:

• Genetics. Constant work of the muscles of the lip and chin area, which is characteristic of some professions: glassblowers, musicians, artists, teachers.
• Age, which is characterized by changes: slowdown of regeneration processes, decrease in skin turgor.
• Smoking.
• Malocclusion and missing front teeth.
• Dramatic weight loss, which contributes to the loss of skin elasticity due to a decrease in the amount of fat.
• Prolonged exposure to the sun leads to loss of fluid, causing the skin to become loose and dry.

Methods for correcting marionette wrinkles: botulinum therapy, liquid thread method, contour plastic surgery, plasma lifting, surgical correction. Botulinum toxin is part of Botox; when administered, it eliminates the spasm of facial wrinkles.

Minimal effect of Botox for ptosis and serious age-related changes. The effect can be observed a week after administration of the drug, the result is maintained for four months.

Factors contributing to the formation of grief lines

In addition to age-related processes, grief lines can occur due to tooth loss. Loss of teeth in the lower jaw deprives the skin in this area of ​​a kind of framework, which is why the folds seem to fall into empty spaces and wrinkles appear.

Marionette lines occur in women who have lost a large number of extra pounds in a short time. At a young age, this is not so scary, because the skin tends to return to its tone, which means that after some time it tightens. But sudden weight loss in a woman after menopause is fraught with severe stretching of the skin and the formation of folds and creases in the mouth area. As we age, the natural loss of collagen and elastin causes the skin to become less elastic.

People who constantly strain their mouth muscles, for example, people who play the flute or trumpet, also experience wrinkles at the corners of their lips. Or those who are forced to talk a lot constantly - the actors leading the show.

Prolonged exposure to the sun or sunbathing in a solarium also contributes to the appearance of marionette wrinkles. Both greatly dry out the dermis and inhibit collagen fibers.

Smoking addiction also leads to premature aging of the skin. This is especially evident in the nasolabial area.

Facial correction using liquid thread method

For this method, the drug calcium hydroxyapatite is used. After insertion under the skin, the threads are encapsulated by connective tissue, thereby tightening the skin and forming a frame. Wrinkles are corrected, and facial contours are tightened and look clearer.

If wrinkles of grief have arisen as a result of age-related changes or ptosis, then it is better to use contour plastic surgery, during which the voids of the skin folds are filled with gel-like preparations of 3% hyaluronic acid.

After the introduction of fillers, the effect lasts for about a year, then there is a need to re-fill the areas of tissue deficiency with gel.

Botulinum toxin against puppets

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that blocks the transmission of neuromuscular impulses.
Based on this substance (purified and weakened), such well-known drugs as Botox, Xeomin, Dysport and Relatox are produced. They are used to treat blepharospasm, chronic migraine, spasmodic torticollis, hyperhidrosis and some other diseases. The greatest fame for these medications came from cosmetic procedures based on the injection of botulinum toxin under the skin. Botulinum toxin injections are a recognized method for eliminating facial wrinkles, including deep ones. Most often, botulinum toxin is injected into the upper third of the face, but the method can also be used to correct wrinkles in the perioral area (around the mouth). Correction is especially effective if the appearance of folds is associated with muscle overstrain.

The neurotoxin blocks the transmission of nerve impulses and thereby relaxes the muscles. The skin over the relaxed muscle is smoothed, wrinkles are straightened. At the same time, facial expressions become a little less active, but do not disappear completely - the face looks alive and mobile.

When correcting grief lines, botulinum toxin is injected into the depressor angle oris muscle. A slight relaxation of this muscle leads to a reduction in the crease. Very often, this correction is performed using botulinum toxin and filler. The toxin relaxes the muscle, and the filler replenishes lost fat volumes, creating a shock absorption effect.

Timely dental treatment and dental prosthetics are very important! Since the oral cavity without teeth makes a person's appearance painful, the soft tissues seem to fall inside.

What is plasma lifting

Plasmolifting is a procedure for correcting wrinkles by introducing injections of the patient’s plasma into the facial skin.

Plasma contains a large number of platelets. After injection under the skin, it stimulates cell growth and enhances collagen production. In most cases, the method does not cause allergies.

Lipofilling is a surgical operation during which adipose tissue is injected into the problem spaces of the labiomental folds. Plastic surgery offers longer-term benefits for correcting marionette lines. Other methods of preventing age-related changes in facial skin will help maintain the results after surgical correction: properly selected care, massage, gymnastics.

When choosing a procedure for correcting marionette wrinkles, in order to avoid negative consequences, a specialized consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Question answer

Yes, it is possible to remove annoying wrinkles. Modern cosmetology is developing and offers many procedures that will help improve your appearance. A particularly excellent effect can be achieved thanks to contour plastic surgery.

To get started, one procedure will be enough. But in the future you will have to repeat the session every six months, as the effect gradually disappears.

If they are very pronounced, then, unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of them using traditional methods or the use of various cosmetics. It is worth contacting a cosmetologist, he will help you cope with the problem.

How to get rid of an unpleasant defect

Various technologies are suitable to combat age-related skin changes. Methods are improved every year. To get results, sometimes you have to use several procedures simultaneously.

If wrinkles have already formed, masks and creams are ineffective.

To correct wrinkles the following is used:

• botulinum therapy;
• contour plastic surgery;
• thread lifting;
• plasma lifting;
• lifting with liquid threads;
• surgery.

Botulinum therapy is based on the use of botulinum toxin.

It is worth knowing that Botox is effective against marionette wrinkles, which are caused by spasms of the facial muscles. If the cause of the appearance of folds is the age factor or ptosis, then the result may be minimal.

The essence of the method is forced muscle relaxation under the influence of the drug. Botox injections are almost painless. Before starting, pain relief is carried out using anesthetic gels and creams. The expected effect appears within a week. The result lasts for 3 – 4 months.

In the fight against wrinkles of grief that have arisen due to age or muscle ptosis, contour plastic surgery is widely used. Its essence is the use of gel-like preparations that fill empty spaces in the facial skin. Hyaluronic acid is used for this. Basically, its 3% concentration is used.

Products with a denser texture are also used. The doctor fills with fillers . The use of contour plastic surgery can be either a separate procedure or in combination with the use of Botox.

The effect lasts up to 6 – 12 months. The gel then dissolves and the procedure must be repeated.

Not all procedures are performed using foreign biomaterials. Your own plasma is used as a product for tightening.

This principle is taken as the basis for plasma lifting. The blood is first centrifuged and plasma, which is rich in platelets, is obtained separately. It is administered by injection into the skin.

By increasing fibrin production, cell growth and collagen production are stimulated. The advantage of this method is the complete absence of allergic reactions and rejection.

The liquid thread technique involves the use of dense consistency products. They are administered subcutaneously and dissolve after 2 months. Their locations are overgrown with fibrous tissue. This leads to skin tightening and a visible tightening of facial contours and correction of wrinkles. Calcium hydroxyapatite is used as a drug. It is obtained from human bone tissue. It is completely biocompatible.

What cosmetic procedures will help remove marionette wrinkles?

While the depth of wrinkles is small and the skin does not require the use of “heavy artillery,” chemical peeling, cosmetic masks and massages can be used to counteract its aging.

Chemical peeling

Serves to remove dead skin cells, restore its smoothness, and “clean up” shallow wrinkles and scars. Another plus: the acidic solution leaves a kind of burn, which the skin begins to heal, producing new cells and rejuvenating.

Chemical peeling is:

• superficial – to improve complexion, lighten age spots, get rid of acne;
• middle - to combat unexpressed wrinkles, scars, spots;
• deep – for significant skin rejuvenation.

There are homemade types of chemical peeling that use low concentration acid solutions, but they are ineffective against deep wrinkles.

Full course: 1-7 sessions.

Cost: from 800₽ per procedure.

Duration of effect: about 1 year.

Professional massage

Facial massage can:

• improve lymph flow and reduce swelling;
• accelerate blood flow and supply cells with nutrients and oxygen;
• tone muscles and skin;
• smooth out the relief;
• restore healthy complexion.

It cannot cope with pronounced wrinkles, but massage can make fine lines less noticeable and delay the aging process. Of course, if it is done by a professional who has knowledge of human anatomy and mastery of several techniques, from which he will choose the optimal one for you.

Full course: up to 10 sessions.

Cost: from 500₽ per session.

Duration of effect: it is recommended to take 2-3 full courses per year or 1 course followed by visiting a massage therapist 2 times a month to maintain the effect.

Masks

It would seem that there is nothing easier than applying a mask to your face. Probably every woman periodically does this at home, but the procedure in a beauty salon has its advantages. This:

1. consultation with a professional cosmetologist who will select the desired composition of the mixture and conduct an allergy test;
2. high-quality cleaning of the face from makeup and dust with professional products;
3. preparing the skin to receive beneficial substances - a hot compress or steam treatment with ozone (vaporization) to open the pores as much as possible;
4. distributing the mask with all the care and precision that is not possible when applying it yourself;
5. careful removal of the mixture and final treatment of the skin with a cream suitable for its type.

Full course: 5-20 sessions.

Cost: from 400₽ per procedure.

Duration of effect: depends on the condition of the skin. Typically, maintenance procedures are required at least once a month.

How to prevent marionette lines

Methods of dealing with “puppets” may vary depending on age. What helps girls under 30 is not always acceptable for older ladies.

Therefore, it is worth starting to prevent facial wrinkles early, without waiting for their appearance.

Expert advice:

1. stop smoking;
2. don’t get used to chewing gum;
3. systematically perform gymnastics for the facial muscles;
4. use protective creams when exposed to the sun for a long time;
5. watch your facial expressions;
6. Do not sunbathe often, including solariums.

When wrinkles are already present, but appeared not so long ago, then it is worth resorting to homemade masks and other non-salon methods of rejuvenation.

But women over 50 have no choice but to turn to a professional cosmetologist for help.

In their case, plasma lifting, contour plastic surgery and other hardware correction methods will be effective. Botox injections are used in particularly advanced cases.

How to Treat Puppet Lines

The latest treatment to combat deep marionette lines and drooping lips is called Happy Face. The result is literally a happier face! The Happy Face technique uses dermal filler to smooth the lower part of the face. Reducing the depth of the puppet lines and providing lift to the corners of the mouth works. By focusing on these two key areas. Remove nasolabial wrinkles and marionette lines.

Remove nasolabial folds

First, your esthetician will use dermal filler to slightly turn the corners of your mouth. And secondly, to create smoothness and uniformity in the puppet. Add volume evenly through the cannula in both directions. The Happy Face procedure is fast, safe and, most importantly, the results are instant!

Remove nasolabial folds

Home methods

You can also use home remedies to combat emerging grief lines. A comprehensive approach is recommended, including:

• gymnastics;
• ice washes;
• rejuvenating masks.

Home care involves the use of high-quality anti-aging creams, which include hyaluronic acid, coenzymes, and antioxidants.

Gymnastics

To achieve the effect, exercises must be performed daily, preferably in the morning.

• "Pinocchio's smile" . To perform the exercise, we use four fingers of both hands. Place the second third fingers connected together in the center above the upper lip. Place the fourth and fifth fingers under the lower lip. Now we begin the movement with both hands at once, “drawing” a wide smile on the skin and moving towards the tragus of the auricle. Repeat 5-7 times.
• "Laughing is prohibited . We place the index fingers edgewise to the corners of the mouth. We try to smile, creating resistance with our fingers;
• “Pretending to shave . This exercise is more like a massage. Take the safety razor without removing the protective cap that covers the blades. Apply a thin layer of cosmetic oil or rich cream to the skin and perform movements as if you were trying to shave a mustache and beard, do not forget the area under the chin. Movements should be smooth with little pressure. At the same time, make sure that the skin does not stretch.

Ice washes

This simple procedure perfectly tones and improves blood circulation. It is necessary to rub an ice cube over the skin, following the direction of the massage lines. The movements should be sliding, there is no need to apply pressure. Particular attention should be paid to the areas where wrinkles are located.

To make ice you can use:

• mineral water;
• milk diluted with clean water in a one to one ratio;
• chamomile, mint or green tea;
• a decoction of parsley, nettle or sage.

Anti-aging masks

Homemade masks will help fight wrinkles of grief. It is recommended to carry out procedures twice a week.

Recipes:

• From avocado . You can simply cut off a few thin slices of the overseas fruit and place it on the wrinkle area for half an hour. But a more effective option would be the following composition: mix avocado puree (a tablespoon) with yolk and a teaspoon of sour cream. Beat the mixture and apply for half an hour on the skin around the mouth and chin.
• Tomato . A mask made from tomatoes is no less effective. The best time to make it is in the summer, when local soil-grown tomatoes are sold. It is necessary to peel the tomatoes from seeds and skin, and chop the pulp. For a tablespoon of tomato mass, take a teaspoon of sesame or other unrefined vegetable oil. Add a little potato starch until the mixture has the consistency of cream. Apply for a quarter of an hour
• Honey . Mix honey and vegetable oil in equal parts. To make the mixing process easier, the honey needs to be heated until it becomes liquid. The finished composition is applied with a swab or brush to the locations of wrinkles. Wash off after half an hour.

When using home methods, results cannot be achieved immediately. The first positive changes can be noticed after 2-3 weeks of systematic use.

How to deal with the problem yourself

If, having crossed the thirty-year mark, you suddenly begin to notice slightly visible wrinkles around the lips on your face, this is not scary, since age-related changes were noticed at an early stage.

In such a situation, you can easily deal with marionette wrinkles at home, without investing much financially or physically.

Smoothing masks

The most common option is how to remove such folds using masks. From their wide variety, I would like to highlight several simple and effective recipes:

1. Mix crushed banana pulp, egg yolk and 5 g of natural honey. If the skin is normal, then add 1 tbsp. spoon of sour cream. If it is oily, replace it with kefir; if it is dry, replace it with olive oil.
2. Finely grated 1 carrot is combined with 10 g of honey. The resulting composition is applied to problem areas.
3. Take pomegranate (carrot) juice and sour cream in the same ratio.
4. Combine a tablespoon of live yeast and the same amount of milk. Stir until a thick consistency is obtained.

The masks are applied for 15-20 minutes, then washed off with warm water. The standard course of treatment is 1.5-2 months.

No less effective can be used individual products that, after preliminary preparation, are applied to wrinkles:

• slightly warmed honey (in a water bath or in the microwave);
• avocado mashed into pulp;
• tomatoes are cut into slices and applied to the “puppets”.

After any of the proposed procedures, it is necessary to moisturize the epidermis with tonic.

Gymnastics

If you are not lazy and do facial exercises at least every other day, then only the marionette wrinkles that appear can be smoothed out quickly. This event will not take much time - 15-20 minutes in the morning.

How to remove “lines of sadness”:

1. The index fingers are placed at the corners of the lips and lift them.
2. The muscles in the mouth area are tensed and at this time, with your fingers, move the extreme points of the mouth towards the center.
3. They stretch the wrinkles downward, thereby trying to straighten them.
4. Puff out your cheeks as much as you can and hold in this state for 2-3 seconds.
5. A tube is formed from the lips up to 18-20 times.
6. Puff out your cheeks one by one.

Massage

After masks or gymnastic facial exercises, it will also be useful to do a massage. This improves blood microcirculation, restores the tone of the dermis, and normalizes lymphatic drainage of blood vessels.

How to do a massage:

1. First of all, the face is warmed up by applying a warm compress.
2. Hands are washed with soap.
3. Apply any essential oil or massage cream to your fingers.
4. Sit comfortably in front of a mirror (sitting or lying down).

With progressive movements of the fingers, without much pressure, move exclusively along the massage lines:

• from the center point of the chin to the earlobes;
• from the hollow under the lower lip to the ears;
• from the groove above the upper lip to the temples;
• from the edges of the lips to the ear tragus.

During the massage, in addition to stroking, light pinching, tapping and rubbing with finger pads are acceptable.

What other reasons are there for the appearance of marionette wrinkles?

• age , when after 30 metabolism in cells begins to slow down, the skin loses its elasticity;
• sagging soft tissues;
• unhealthy lifestyle , prone to abuse of junk food, alcohol, smoking;
• hormonal changes (menopause);
• fast weight loss;
• ultraviolet radiation , causing the skin to become dry and dehydrated;
• malocclusion or missing chewing teeth;
• consequences of playing wind instruments.