Are these smile lines (nasolabial & marionette lines) a normal occurrence? (Photos)

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I recommend fillers to soften the nasolabial folds themselves and also lift around the mouth and cheeks to build underlying anatomical support. In our practice we combine Sculptra with other fillers "layered" on top and lasers, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage, Fractora, and Renuvion (J Plasma), thread lifting, and peels to get the most conservative, natural look. I suggest seeing a facial sculpting expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer

Hello zhuhai! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Shah Facial Plastics. This is a great question. If you are not interested in fillers, I highly recommend trying a CO2 laser such as CoolPeel. CoolPeel is an amazing resurfacing laser treatment that is used for skin rejuvenation, reduction of fine lines/wrinkles, minimizes pores, and improves overall skin texture. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Marionette lines are vertical wrinkles that extend from the corners of your mouth to your chin. They are caused by natural aging, genetics, sun exposure, smoking, and other factors. It is not very common for marionette lines to start forming from above the corner of the mouth and create a fold above the upper lip. This may be due to the shape and size of your lips, the movement of the muscles around your mouth, or the loss of volume and elasticity in your skin.Collagen-inducing treatments are topical creams, serums, or supplements that claim to stimulate the production of collagen in your skin. Collagen is a protein that gives your skin firmness and smoothness. Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that involves creating tiny punctures in your skin with fine needles. Dermal fillers are injectable substances that fill in the spaces under your skin where volume has been lost due to aging. Dermal fillers can plump up your lips, smooth out marionette lines and nasolabial folds, and restore a more youthful contour to your face. Some of the common fillers are hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, and polymethyl methacrylate.I hope this information was helpful.  

It is not common that nasolabial folds and marionette lines result in a fold in the upper lip. This could be a natural progression for your unique skin type, or it could be the result of a previous treatment or other environmental factors.
Typically we would recommend dermal fillers for a deeper line or fold like this, however, that certainly isn’t your only option. Another treatment that we often recommend for smoothing lines and indentations is the Vampire Facial. This regenerative therapy combines microneedling and topical PRP to promote the growth of collagen and stimulate the body’s repair processes, further restoring smooth, healthy skin. While this may not be enough to eliminate the fold entirely, it could certainly make a difference—especially if combined with other therapies in a tailored treatment.