Male, 23. Could tretinoin help with marionette lines? (Photos)

Question

I’ve recently noticed what look like marionette lines, but only in certain lighting where shadows make them stand out. I’m not sure if this is just the shape of my face or an early sign of aging. In some photos they’re very noticeable, and in others you can barely see them at all. I’ve attached a few examples for comparison. Could this be fixed with simple skincare? Would tretinoin for improved collagen production help make it less noticeable?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hi,

First, I want to reassure you—at 23, what you’re describing is very often more about facial anatomy and lighting than true aging. Shadows can dramatically exaggerate natural contours, especially around the corners of the mouth. If the lines are visible in certain lighting but barely noticeable in others, that strongly suggests this is more structural than age-related volume loss.

Now regarding tretinoin:

Tretinoin does stimulate collagen production over time and improves skin texture, thickness, and fine lines. It can absolutely help improve overall skin quality and may subtly soften very early superficial lines. However, true marionette lines are usually caused by:

Natural facial structure

Mild volume distribution

Muscle movement

Shadowing from cheek and jaw contours

Tretinoin won’t change bone structure or significantly alter deeper folds. At your age, it would be more of a preventative and skin-quality treatment rather than a corrective one for structural depressions.

In many 23-year-olds, what looks like a “line” is simply:

A normal transition between facial fat compartments

The way light hits the lower face

Mild dynamic movement when resting

If the area looks dramatically different depending on lighting or angle, that’s usually reassuring.

The good news is that early collagen support with tretinoin can be beneficial long-term for skin health, even if it doesn’t completely erase shadow-based lines.

Male, 23. Could tretinoin help with marionette lines? (Photos)

Answers (1)

More Retin-A Questions

Tretinoin .025 vs .05 strength for anti aging benefits?

Is this okay to use with Retin-A? I feel like my forehead lines are worsening

Tretinoin overdose - are there any side threatening side effects?

Which non-surgical procedures would address my rosacea and malar bags? (photos)

How to use Tretinoin Cream in Dark underarms? (Photo)

Is Isotretinoin a good option for treating enlarged sebaceous glands? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS