What are the differences between marionette lines and smile lines?

Question

In order to better understand the distinctions between facial features, could you provide a detailed comparison of marionette lines and smile lines, focusing on aspects such as their specific locations on the face, the factors that contribute to their development, and the ways in which they influence a person's overall facial appearance and aesthetics?

Thorne Marlowe · Accepted Answer

Marionette lines and smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds, are two types of facial lines that can become more prominent with age. However, they are not the same and are located in different areas of the face.

Smile Lines: These are the lines that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth. They're often referred to as "smile lines" because they can become more noticeable when you smile. Over time, due to various factors like aging, sun damage, or smoking, these lines can become more pronounced even when you're not smiling.

Marionette Lines: These are the lines that run vertically from the corners of the mouth down towards the chin, giving the appearance of a downturned mouth. The term "marionette lines" comes from the resemblance to a marionette puppet's mouth. As with smile lines, these can become more prominent with age, sun exposure, and other lifestyle factors.

Both marionette lines and smile lines are common signs of aging. There are various cosmetic treatments available to reduce their appearance, including both non-surgical and surgical solutions.

Non-surgical solutions include:

Dermal filler

Botox injection

Xeomin injection

Dysport injection

Surgical solutions include:

Facelift

Thread lift