Is a Facelift the Only Answer for Marionette Lines and Jowls?

A lower face lift with either a chin implant or fat injections and perhaps precise jowl liposuction are a reasonable and relatively low risk approach to managing jowls and marionette lines. Your other options are fillers. I generally am not impressed by the results of skin tightening lasers and believe they achieve only a subtle change.

This is a great question!
While a facelift is likely to get you the greatest amount of change/results, it is not necessarily the best option for every patient. Some other options to consider include fillers or fat transfer to fill the hollow areas of the face. You could also consider a resrufacing procedure such as laser resurfacing, chemical peel, or dermabrasion which may help address finer lines of the face.
Hope this helps!Kyle Kimura, MD

Thank you for sharing your concerns! Marionette lines and pockets of fat along the jawline are common as we age due to a natural loss of skin elasticity and volume. If you're hesitant about a surgical facelift, non-surgical options like dermal fillers can effectively soften marionette lines by restoring volume and smoothing the area. Neuromodulators may also help reduce muscle pull, which contributes to the downward appearance. Additionally, treatments like Sculptra biostimulators or skin-tightening devices (e.g., radiofrequency or ultrasound) can stimulate collagen production for a more youthful look. To address jawline fat pockets, non-invasive options such as injectable fat reducers or energy-based contouring treatments might be ideal. A consultation with a trusted provider will help you explore the best personalized solution for your goals.

Hi there!
Thank you for your question. By repositioning the tissues with a facelift, you should see a great improvement in your jowls and marionette lines. Based on your description, I would also recommend redistributing some of the volume in your face with micro-liposuction of the pockets a long your jaw line and grafting fat into the areas where volume loss has occurred such as the marionette lines. That being said, you never want to completely erase the lines on your face at age 66 and look unnatural. A good facelift will soften them and restore a more youthful appearance while still looking like yourself.
Hope this helps!

Hello,

A facelift is the gold standard for treating jowls and for jawline and neck restoration. Other modalities including fillers, Ultherapy, Radiofrequency and thread lifts can help modestly improve this region when there is a mild degree of aging. At age 66 most individuals would best be served with a facelift and possible fat grafting to restore youthful facial contours. Advanced techniques with SMAS flaps and finesse accessory procedures with lasers and fat grafting can help create beautiful, natural looking, lasting results.

Warm regards,
Dr. Pedy Ganchi
Village Plastic Surgery

Although facelift surgery does not always get rid of marionette lines, reducing the fullness of the  jowls  improves the  contour of the area.  A combination of facelift and fat transfer can often correct both problems. The alternative would be facelift and injectable filler to the marionette lines. Unfortunately, using only injectable filler in the presence of  more significant jowls,  can produce a slightly heavy appearance around the chin. Threads or other nonsurgical techniques are also more limited in terms of the degree of improvement they can deliver for this type of problem.