What would be recommended to best correct the folds around my mouth and under my chin? (Photo)

Question

I'm 53. I have lost weight recently and I'm not happy with the loss of skin elasticity. I have never tried fillers and am reluctant to at my age.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Hello, thanks for posting your question and photos. Skin can lose elasticity and volume due to age or weight loss, forming marionette lines and nasolabial folds. Board-certified facial plastic surgeons can carefully inject dermal fillers into these folds, plumping up the skin and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. By doing so, they can help to restore a more youthful and smoother appearance to the mouth area. Restylane Refyne and Defyne are excellent for facial folds around the nose and mouth, lasting up to 12 months with immediate results. RHA fillers are also an option, with four RHA formulations that can treat moderate folds and lines around the mouth. Juvéderm and Restylane fillers can also be used along the jawline to smooth wrinkles and create symmetrical contouring.

I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon and expert injector. They will be able to evaluate your concerns and treatment history, then determine the best course of action to achieve your desired results.

I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a reputable board-certified facial plastic surgeon and expert injector. They will be able to evaluate your concerns and treatment history, then determine the best course of action to achieve your desired results.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

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

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your photos and on your age, you appear to have an issue with loss of skin elasticity, and a non-surgical treatment utilizing microneedling and radio frequency may be considered for you, depending on your examination. Skin tightening and wrinkle reduction may be seen after a series of treatments spaced at monthly intervals or longer. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

One of the most effective treatments for lip wrinkles is laser resurfacing. These laser treatments are usually done with an erbium or carbon dioxide laser. The most effective and longest lasting treatment to turn back the clock around the mouth is the use of a fractional CO2 laser. For under your chin like other types of facial wrinkles, marionette lines are caused by natural collagen losses that occur with age. Collagen itself is a protein that naturally plumps up your skin. Gravity also plays a role in sagging skin around the chin, making marionette lines more noticeable. Neck creams work to prevent collagen breakdown and support collagen production. They often contain retinols, growth factors and antioxidants that are tested specifically for the skin of the neck.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

Age is not a barrier for the use of HA fillers so long as the person being treated is in good general health. The oldest patient I have personally treated was a 94 year-old woman. HA fillers can be used to for a nonsurgical filler facelift, which can include a robust HA volumizing filler for augmenting the cheeks that can create a more oval, heart-shaped feminine face. A low viscosity, malleable, cohesive filler for correcting under-eye tear troughs. Another robust lifting filler in order to elevate and smooth the smile lines and the sad lines around the mouth. And finally, a filler nonsurgical necklift using both lifting and low viscosity fillers for smoothing the vertical neck bands. In the hands of an experienced injector all of the above can be accomplished in about 45 minutes. You would be wise to consult an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist. Best of luck.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

From your photos it appears you are a good candidate for fillers.  This will help to replace the decreased volume from weight loss.  You could consider Sculptra if you are looking for a longer lasting solution.  You can use other treatments in conjunction with fillers such as FaceTite or Morpheus8 to address skin laxity and skin tone.  See an expert injector near you to learn more.  I've included a video on Sculptra that I hope you find helpful.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Nice posted photos to see a mini face/neck lift with SMAS plication + nano fat grafting to areas of mouth and chin. Fee $12,000. Best to virtual consult with....

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

What you’re seeing in your face is related to the volume loss which is associated with the aging process. We lose muscle and fat all over our face and bodies, which results in basically an appearance of a deflated suit. The easiest way to restore your good looks, and youthful appearance would be with fat grafting. In fat grafting, the fat is removed from one area of the body and placed into the face by means of tiny cannulas. The procedure results are permanent and natural as long as the procedure is done by an expert fat transfer Plastic Surgeon and there’s practically no recovery. I hope this helps and good luck from NEW YORK, CITY, PLASTIC, SURGERY.

Natividad Castro, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

En tu caso lo mejor sería iniciar con bioestimulacion de colágeno y en una segunda sesión podemos mejorar lo que falte co fillers de acido hialuronico.

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.

Dermal fillers cannot correct laxity around the mouth and neck.  Dermal fillers are useful for restoring volume to the cheek and midface but not the lower face and neck.

The proper correction of the areas which concern you would be a rhytidectomy with platysmaplasty.

An attempt at a lower face and neck lift alone will not restore your face to its more youthful appearance.

Simply doing the lower face and neck will create a bulge in the upper face that will detract from results.

Up you have excellent skin is a very attractive face and should do very well.  Please consult at least to board-certified plastic surgeons and be certain to choose a surgeon who has past experience in face lift surgery.