I am 61 with severe what my doctor calls “marionette lines.” What is the procedure for correcting these?
Answer:
The marionette lines are the lines that run from the corner of the mouth to the chin and are actually the extension of the jowls. The marionette lines can be treated with either a non-invasive treatment or a surgical procedure.
The non-invasive treatment of marionette lines involves the use of facial fillers. I particularly like the hyaluronic fillers, such as Perlane, for this area. The skin is numbed with a topical anesthetic cream for about 10 minutes. Perlane now comes pre-mixed with a local anesthetic for a pain-free injection. The procedure takes about 10 minutes and the patient can return to work the same day. The majority of patients that undergo correction of marionette lines with fillers are very satisfied.
The surgical correction of marionette lines involves a facelift procedure. The facelift procedure can be done with local anesthesia with oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. The procedure takes about 3 hours and the recovery is about 2 weeks. The procedure involves a tightening of the facial muscles and their repositioning to achieve a fresher look. The procedure works well to improve the sagging neck, jowls, marionette lines, and the midface. Most patients that undergo the facelift procedure are very happy with the results.
Posted by Dr. Bustillo