What are marionette lines?
Marionette lines are the creases that run from the corners of the mouth down towards the chin. They are named after the hinged jaw of a puppet, and they can make a relaxed face look sad or stern. Many people first notice them in photos, where the lower face can look heavier or downturned.
They are different from smokers lines, the vertical lines above the upper lip. If those are your concern, see our smokers lines filler page instead.
What can fillers for marionette lines help with?
Fillers for marionette lines can help by restoring lost volume along the fold, so the crease looks softer and the corners of the mouth appear less downturned. Where jowls and marionette lines appear together, we can treat the lower face as a whole rather than chasing a single line. The aim is a rested, natural look, not a changed face.
That can include jawline fillers, which support the line between the jaw and the neck.
What happens at your appointment?
We start with a consultation, where we examine your lower face and agree what is realistic before anything is done. The treatment itself is quick, and most people return to their day straight away. A little swelling or tenderness around the mouth is common at first and usually settles within days.
How long do results last?
Results vary from person to person, depending on how deep the lines are and how your skin holds filler. Many people find the effect lasts around a year before a top-up is worth considering. We review how things have settled at a follow-up visit and adjust with you if needed.
What causes marionette lines?
Marionette lines are caused by gradual thinning of the skin and the natural padding of the lower face as we age. Sun exposure, smoking and simple genetics all play a part, which is why some people notice them earlier than others. They are a normal part of ageing, but they tend to deepen over time if nothing is done.
What is the marionette lines filler technique?
The marionette lines filler technique is about supporting the corner of the mouth and the fold itself, rather than simply filling the visible line. Where filler for jowls and marionette lines is planned together, we place small amounts across the lower face for a balanced result. We talk this through with you at your consultation, so you know exactly what is planned.
Marionette lines filler at Vista Clinic in Stillorgan, Dublin
Vista Clinic is based in Stillorgan, South Dublin, with afternoon and evening appointments, Monday to Saturday. A consultation carries no obligation, and we would rather you leave well informed than rushed. You can browse all our dermal filler treatments, or book by phone or WhatsApp.
How the treatment is done
Where the correction needed is small we use a needle. Where more filler is needed below the lower lip and through the chin, a cannula is safer and more comfortable. The appointment takes about 30 minutes, and we apply medical grade numbing cream around the mouth first. Most people need between 1 ml and 2 ml to get a proper improvement of the area.
Why we sometimes treat the cheeks as well
Filler in the upper cheek replaces lost fat and lifts the skin, and that lift takes some of the sag out of the lower face. Because marionette lines deepen partly from what is happening above them, treating the cheek can improve the fold without adding much filler to the fold itself.
What to expect afterwards
There is an immediate improvement once the lost volume is back. Some swelling on the day is normal and settles over a few days. Things carry on improving for about two to three weeks, and if more is needed we add it at a review. Redness, tenderness at the injection points and the occasional bruise are the usual short-lived effects. We have written up what the first 48 hours look like in more detail.
Who should not have this treatment
Most people tolerate filler for marionette lines well, but there are situations where we would postpone or decline. Some of them mean waiting rather than ruling the treatment out. We check all of this at the consultation, so tell us about your health and anything you are taking.
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- an active skin infection in the area we would be treating
- autoimmune or bleeding disorders
- blood-thinning medication, unless your doctor has cleared it
- a known allergy or sensitivity to any of the ingredients
- surgery, filler, laser or a chemical peel in the same area within the previous two to four weeks
That is not the whole list. Your own medical history can raise something else, so a nurse goes through it with you before anything is booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does marionette lines filler cost in Dublin?
Price for marionette lines filler treatment starts at €275. See our full range of dermal filler treatments for more detail.
How long does a marionette lines filler appointment take?
This Marionette lines filler treatment usually takes around 30 minutes. Allow a little longer for a first visit, which includes the consultation.
How long do fillers for marionette lines last?
Effects last an average of 12 – 18 months. Treatment results will vary with the individual, and improvement continues until approximately 2 -3 weeks post treatment.
Is it done with a needle or a cannula?
Both are used, and which one suits you is decided with you beforehand. The needle technique is used mainly for cases where level of correction is low, and the cannula technique where more filler is needed below the lower lip and the chin area.
Do I need a consultation before treatment?
Yes, and it is included in every treatment. Whether marionette lines are better treated with a needle or a cannula depends on how much correction is needed, so that is settled with you at the consultation rather than on the day.
Where is the clinic and when is it open?
Vista Clinic is at 18 Priory Office Park, Stillorgan, Dublin, A94 R5P6. We are open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 9pm and on Saturday from 2pm to 6pm. Sunday is by reservation only.
Thinking About Fillers for Marionette Lines?
People searching for fillers for marionette lines, or for filler for jowls and marionette lines, have usually been looking at the area in the mirror for a while before they get in touch. That is normal.
A consultation is where we work out whether filler around the mouth is the right starting point for you, or whether something else we offer would suit you better. We will be straight with you either way.
Cost varies with how much correction the area needs, so the figure on this page is a starting point rather than a final quote. The clinic is in Stillorgan in south Dublin. Call us or send a WhatsApp message if you would rather talk it through first.
Treatment Price
Marionette Lines Fillers 1ml: €275
Consultation is included in every treatment.
