Marionette & Smile Line Treatment in Roswell
Two sets of lines frame the mouth: the nasolabial folds running from nose to mouth corners, and the marionette lines running from mouth corners toward the chin, the ones that can pull a resting face toward looking stern. Here's what causes them and what actually helps.
What's going on
What causes marionette lines and nasolabial folds?
Unlike forehead lines, these aren't primarily about muscle movement. They're about gravity meeting volume loss. The midface naturally holds fat pads that act like scaffolding; as they deflate and drift downward with age, the skin above the mouth folds against the fixed tissue below it, deepening the nasolabial crease first and the marionette lines after.
The bone itself changes too: the facial skeleton is gradually reabsorbed with age, and its support falls down and forward, a change more dramatic than most people realize and the reason filler placed deep on bone makes anatomical sense. Creases caused by descended volume respond to volume restored, which is why filler, not a wrinkle relaxer, is usually the first tool here. Weight shifts, sun exposure and genetics set how early the folds arrive; by the 40s and 50s most faces show at least the beginning of them.
What actually works
How we treat marionette and smile lines
- Usually the answer
Dermal Filler
Restores the lost volume directly, and often starts at the cheeks, lifting the fold from above.
Dermal Filler PDO Thread Lift
Physically repositions loosening tissue when the fold comes with sag (no surgery).
PDO Thread LiftHalo Laser Resurfacing
Rebuilds the skin quality around the folds so results read smooth, not just filled.
Halo Laser Resurfacing
Common questions
Marionette & Smile Lines FAQ
What's the difference between marionette lines and nasolabial folds?
Location. Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth; marionette lines continue from the mouth corners down toward the chin. They usually arrive in that order, share the same cause, and are treated with the same toolbox.
Why do you sometimes treat my cheeks for lines near my mouth?
Because the fold is often the symptom, not the source: when midface volume drops, everything below it folds. Restoring cheek support lifts the crease from above, frequently with a more natural result (and less filler) than filling the line directly. Your anatomy decides the route, and we'll map it at consult.
Will filler around my mouth look obvious?
It can, if volume keeps going where volume already is. Over-treating the line itself is what ends up looking bulky or unnatural over time. That's why we recommend a full facial assessment: restoring lift and support in the upper face lets us use less volume around the mouth, supporting the loss that's actually happening there instead of overcompensating in one spot.
Would Botox help these lines?
Absolutely, as the subtle-lift option. Botox along the jawline and platysma helps lift the lower face, DAO Botox eases downturned mouth corners, and chin Botox smooths dimpling and can elongate the chin. Filler still does the volume work, and the two are often combined.
How long do results last?
Filler in this area typically holds 6–24 months depending on product and placement. Thread lifts last six months to a year, with collagen benefits that linger past the threads themselves. Maintenance is lighter than the first visit: topping up costs less than rebuilding.
Ready to soften them, or just have questions?
Book a complimentary consultation and we'll map where your folds actually come from (cheeks, skin or both). Or text us first and a real person will answer.