Will cheek filler help to improve marionette lines?

Cheek Filler Treatment, West Malling, Kent 

Ageing inevitably brings changes to our facial structure, with the cheeks and midface being among the first areas to show signs of change. These changes can contribute to lines, folds, and drooping in the lower face, particularly around the mouth, where marionette lines develop.

While various treatments exist to address marionette lines specifically, restoring volume in the cheeks and midface using fillers can have an impressive impact, often creating a subtle lift that affects the entire face, including the areas below (like the jawline) and the areas above (like the eyes). Here, we will explore the ageing process in the midface, the effects of cheek filler, and how this treatment can contribute to reducing marionette lines, alongside other targeted options.

Ageing and the midface: Changes in tissue structure

As we age, several changes occur within the facial tissue that contribute to the development of lines, folds, and sagging skin. The midface, which includes the cheeks, plays a crucial role in maintaining facial structure. In youth, the cheeks are typically full and rounded, providing natural support to the skin and contributing to a lifted, youthful appearance. However, over time, the body’s collagen production diminishes, leading to a gradual loss of elasticity. Additionally, the fat pads in the cheeks, which provide volume and support, begin to shrink and descend, leaving the midface looking hollow and deflated.

This loss of structure in the midface has repercussions further down the face. As the cheeks lose volume and begin to sag, this descent pulls the skin downward, leading to increased pressure on the nasolabial folds (the lines running from the nose to the mouth) and marionette lines (the lines extending from the corners of the mouth downward). Without the underlying support of plump cheeks, the lower face begins to take on a heavier, more aged appearance, with marionette lines becoming more pronounced. Therefore, these changes in the midface significantly contribute to the visible signs of ageing in the lower face.

Restoring volume in the cheeks: The impact of fillers

Dermal fillers have become an increasingly popular non-surgical solution for counteracting these age-related changes in the midface. When injected to the cheeks, fillers made of hyaluronic acid or other volumising substances restore lost volume, creating a fuller, lifted appearance. This added volume can mimic the youthful shape of the cheeks, helping to support the overlying skin and reversing some of the tissue descent that occurs with age. By re-volumising the cheeks, fillers help re-establish structural support in the midface, creating a foundation that subtly lifts the lower face.

One of the significant advantages of midface fillers is the way they can improve areas beyond the cheeks. When the midface is restored with filler, the repositioned tissue helps reduce the gravitational pull on the lower face, often resulting in a softening of both nasolabial folds and marionette lines. This is known as the “lifting effect” of cheek fillers, where the increased volume in the midface reduces tension and the downward pull on areas around the mouth and jawline. While cheek fillers alone may not completely erase marionette lines, they can lessen their severity, creating an overall fresher and balanced appearance.

Can cheek filler improve marionette lines?

Cheek filler can indeed improve marionette lines, though it’s important to set realistic expectations. Because marionette lines are partly a result of tissue descent and volume loss, adding volume to the midface can have a lifting effect that indirectly diminishes these lines. By restoring volume in the cheeks, cheek fillers provide support that can take some of the downward pressure off the lower face, softening the appearance of marionette lines. However, the effectiveness of this approach varies from person to person and may depend on the depth of the marionette lines, the individual’s skin elasticity, and the extent of volume loss.

For those with mild to moderate marionette lines, cheek filler may provide a sufficient improvement by addressing the root cause: midface volume loss and tissue descent. However, for deeper lines, additional treatment in the marionette line area itself might be necessary to achieve the desired effect. While cheek filler alone can often achieve subtle yet noticeable results, combining it with direct filler application to marionette lines can enhance the outcome, offering a comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation.

Other options for treating marionette lines

In cases where marionette lines are more pronounced, there are additional options to consider alongside, or instead of, cheek fillers. Direct application of dermal fillers to the marionette lines is one of the most common approaches. Here, the filler is injected strategically along the lines to add volume and smooth out the area, creating an immediate improvement in the depth of these lines.

Another option is the use of skin-tightening treatments, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound-based therapies, which stimulate collagen production to improve skin elasticity. These treatments help to restore firmness to the skin, which can benefit marionette lines and overall facial tone.

Botox can also be used in some cases to relax the muscles that contribute to marionette lines, although this approach is generally best suited to younger individuals or those with dynamic (expression-based) rather than static lines. Finally, medical-grade skincare that includes ingredients like retinol, peptides, and hyaluronic acid can improve the quality and resilience of the skin, supporting other treatments and helping to maintain results.

If you’d like to learn more about the options, click here to enquire or to book a consultation with an Illuminate Skin Clinic, West Malling, Kent expert.