Marionette lines

I have them too and they seem to be much deeper this year. I normally just plaster whatever cream I find, on.

Recently, I had been given a gift bag of cosmetics. Vichy Mineral 89 - 72 hour boosting cream - did improve the facial appearance adequately, all round and made me feel much more confident.

To be honest I am more concerned about the pigmentation on my face. Getting ready for another round of cryotherapy!

Poppyred
It’s maybe a bit uncomfortable when the first needle goes in but not painful

Thank you Adele

I have loads of lines on my face. Including worry lines and the odd couple under my eyes.
I rarely wear make up. I dont put creams and lotions on every day. Just wash in water and fragrance free soap. If I use moisturizer at all, it's because I have dry skin. Having had eczema on a large part of my body since a child, I don't really use many 'beauty' products.

People say that to me also. I had fillers once but they ‘clumped’ and I had to keep on massaging them. I went to a very good clinic as well!!I think there is now an invisible skin tape that is attached just near the ear’s somewhere and it pulls the face up, it supposed to be very good. I would love to know the alternative to fillers.

I (71) am interested in other people’s experiences of fillers too. I thought that ‘wrinkle reduction’ (Botox-type injections) would be a good place to start with injectables. I had read a beauty editor explaining that she has regular botox for her ‘11s’ which gives a slight eye lift. This sounded like something I would benefit from as my pet dislike is how my upper eye area has dropped.

I went to a skilled practitioner, who also trains others. I had done my research in advance, and knew what to expect and what was ‘normal’ practice. I had injections in my 11 lines and above my brow, and also in my hairline in early December.

However, I was very disappointed in the result. It caused my whole brow line to drop, folding my upper eye down over my eyelids right to my lash line. I looked cross and tired - not what I really wanted for Christmas, and on reflection it was not a very good time to experiment with a process I had never tried before. I disliked the feeling of my forehead being immobile, and I had a continuous mild headache. The practitioner was helpful - a 2 week follow-up appointment was included in the treatment, and she suggested further injections on the outer edge of my brow who tried to lift my brows. I didn’t want to do this, and we settled for a couple of additional injections on my hairline. She offered further follow-ups until I was happy, but I haven’t gone with this as I just don’t think botox is right for me.

Obviously, I know that this is going to wear off - it’s a bit like a bad haircut - eventually it’ll grow out. And I’m mostly too busy about to worry about it. It’s only when I’m putting my make-up on/taking it off that I think much about it. It hasn’t entirely put me off injectables but I don’t think this is right for me. And you don’t know unless you try.

As I understand it, like the rest of our body there are opposing muscles in our faces, and botox is a muscle relaxant - the muscle effectively seems to ignore the messages from the nerves to move. I am guessing that the key to good outcome is getting the balance right - if one muscle has relaxed more than another, you may not end up with the desired result. I think that’s well understood and practitioners know where the muscles are and where to inject. I think the difficulty is, especially when one is older, that there is no way to really understand the relative strength of different muscles. I’m one of life’s ‘thoughtful frowners’…..and I’m not sure this would be apparent to a practitioner when I am lying down, relaxed in the treatment room? If anyone else knows more than me about this or has any other useful advice? It would be good to hear it. And if there is a Botox thread on GN, can somebody let me know?

Injector said (and I have also read this online) that using the vibration from the back of an electric toothbrush (or any other vibration device!) would help to speed up the process of dispersing the product. So, I am now doing 2 minutes every day across my forehead with the back of my Suri toothbrush (which is the type with a longer head, not a round one)! But this has got me thinking about whether the vibration could be beneficial on my naso-labial lines, and marionette creases. So, now also doing two minutes on these as well! (Good job I no longer have to dash out of the house to catch a train in the morning 😂.)

I’m going to try to keep this up for a total of 30 days (I’m six days in atm). And I’ll happily feedback as to whether I think it makes any difference.

I am also a big fan of a gua-sha roller. I do think that this make a noticeable difference on my skin if I can be disciplined enough to use it regularly. I use it on my neck, along my jawline and up my cheeks, then go gently around my eyes with the smaller end. I use it after my moisturiser or facial oil at night. If nothing else is making sure that the product is getting well massaged into my skin!

lainieb56

I have loads of lines on my face. Including worry lines and the odd couple under my eyes.
I rarely wear make up. I dont put creams and lotions on every day. Just wash in water and fragrance free soap. If I use moisturizer at all, it's because I have dry skin. Having had eczema on a large part of my body since a child, I don't really use many 'beauty' products.

DD1 has quite bad ezcema and I really do sympathise with you. This horrible autoimmune condition removes the protective, outer barrier of your skin, which normally keeps the moisture in. You know this of course, but others may not really understand what ezcema does. On top of which you may well not know what you react to - there are hundreds of potential allergens which can worsen eczema, including all kinds of skin products. DD has to constantly apply E45 cream to her face and hands, but it is almost impossible to maintain adequate moisturisation. Skin is not going to age ‘well’ in these circumstances. So a thread like this must seem very self-indulgent to you 😢

I’m more concerned about my awful lip lines. I’m 68 and afraid to have anything injected into them but I absolutely hate them. Has anyone any suggestions for how to improve these?

No idea what they are, never heard of them

Fallingstar

What are marionette lines??

Marionette lines are vertical wrinkles running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, named for their resemblance to the lines on a string puppet, and they create a downturned, sad, or tired facial appearance. Caused by aging, collagen/elastin loss, and gravity, they result from skin laxity and volume loss, not just facial expression, and can be treated with fillers, Botox, chemical peels, and preventative care like sunscreen.
Causes
Aging: Natural loss of collagen, elastin, and fat pads leads to sagging skin.
Gravity: Pulls skin downwards over time.
Lifestyle: Smoking accelerates collagen breakdown.
Genetics: Individual facial structure influences their development.
Treatments
Dermal Fillers: Plump the area, restore volume, and lift the skin.
Botox: Relaxes muscles that pull the mouth downwards, often used with fillers.
Chemical Peels: Improve skin texture and cell turnover.
Topical Treatments: Retinol and daily sunscreen (SPF 30+) help prevent and minimize lines.

I have Botox and fillers roughly every three months and am thrilled with the results. No number 11s or marionettes. I’m a singer so am prepared for the upkeep.
Living modestly in other ways means its not a huge extravagance for me.
My best friend, who would never take things too far, recommends her practitioner, so it’s useful to have a good recommendation.
Go for it!

There are lots of facial exercise videos on YouTube to improve marionette lines (and jowls etc). I'm a great believer in facial exercises. It does rely on consistent daily exercises of course, but they do work to reduce the depth of line.
I have botox in my upper face regularly (11's and crows feet) and I love the subtle brightening effect. I also tried fillers once but wouldn't do it again.

Try doing facial workouts before having invasive treatments

I've just been through all my bookcase and found The New Facercise - Give Yourself a Natural Facelift by Carole Maggio that I reckon I bought in around 2002 (I would have been just over 50 then). I did some of the exercises religiously for quite a while but then life got in the way. I do get compliments for looking younger than I am. Perhaps it's worth giving them another go?

Carol is on YouTube.

www.google.com/search?q=carole+maggio+facercise&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:b5608dc2,vid:1c1HWJkYbhk,st:0

I know all treatments are different, but anyone can advise me of approximate price for full marionette lines with reputable person. Thanks

Have you looked at the face yoga exercises on YouTube? Or have you tried a facial exercise machine? They do lift the muscles in your face for a more natural and youthful look.

I use a red light roller/massager and lifting creams. The untreated side makes me look like I've had a stroke until I match it to the treated side!

I’ve had a look at the red light rollers. There is a big range of prices. I don’t know how well the cheap ones work

Sympathise! I just put on lippy and smile as much as can as they are lessened If I had skin pulled up and tucked at ears that would help a lot 🤣🤣😂

Yes Iv read face yoga. Great if diligent enough. Iv tried it when driving to remind me😄 that and doing the slow breathing for bp whenever im at lights. Others must think there's that strange woman LoL