Loss of Facial Definition – Marionette Lines, Smile Lines, Nasolabial Fold – Causes and Botox® or Filler Treatment – Auckland NZ

Loss of facial definition is a result of the face slowly becoming less taut over the years. The skin and structures beneath the skin that support it become less full, less tight and slowly follow gravity. We may notice less defined cheekbones, heavier skin in the medial face creating nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and a jawline that is heavier, and less well defined.

The causes are multiple, and may affect us all.

Ageing results in a reduction of elastin and collagen in the skin. Elastin, as the name suggests, gives skin its elasticity. It allows the skin to bounce back when it is stretched. Collagen is responsible for skin firmness. The loss of each of these results in skin that is less supple and that sags under gravity creating smile lines, marionette lines and nasolabial folds. As our collagen and elastin reduce, we may notice the appearance of crow’s feet and fine lines too.

The structures beneath the skin (bone, muscle, other soft tissue structures) can lose volume over time, meaning less support of the skin, and a less defined facial appearance.

UV exposure, smoking, poor nutrition, excess alcohol intake, and chronic illness can all wreak havoc on elastin and collagen.

If you have carried excess weight, the stretching of the skin can damage the elastin fibres and, like a pair of over-stretched track pants, may not be able to recoil back to where they were when the weight is lost. Nasolabial folds, marionette lines and smile lines can become more enhanced with significant weight loss.

At Palm Clinic, Auckland, NZ cheek enhancement can be achieved with hyaluronic acid dermal fillers without the need for plastic surgery or a general anaesthetic.

Injecting marionette lines filler and nasolabial fold filler has a volumising effect and is a safe, easy and effective way to rejuvenate the face and provide cheek definition. This technique is becoming increasingly popular at Palm Clinic as our clients discover its subtle yet highly flattering results. Individual results may vary.

Instead of pulling skin tighter as in traditional facelifts, marionette lines treatment and nasolabial fold treatment with dermal fillers helps to restore the fullness that the skin used to have. It doesn’t affect facial expression, which is why it looks so natural.

Dermal fillers can recreate the youthful ‘apple’ in the cheeks, and provide sculpted, gentle curves to the profile. The secret is to treat conservatively – a ‘less is more’ approach – to redefine contours without looking ‘done’. With dermal filler especially, it is important that you see an experienced injector for safety and for an optimal aesthetic outcome.

Over use of filler can create over-inflated, rounded cheeks which is never flattering. Our skilled cosmetic doctors and nurses focus more on filling the lateral, outer cheek, which gives the face definition, and a more angular look, rather than filling the medial (apple) of the cheek too much, which creates a chubby hamster appearance.

When the lateral cheek is more defined, we notice a softening of the nasolabial fold (line from nose to lips), and marionette (line from corner of the mouth toward the jawline) as the skin is lifted toward the cheeks.

Nasolabial fold treatment and marionette lines treatment can significantly rejuvenate the male face. As with women, we perform this using the market leading hyaluronic acid dermal filler, Juvederm.

As men age fat is lost from the cheeks and mid face, which can cause a hollowed appearance with enhanced marionette lines and nasolabial fold. By replacing the lost volume with dermal filler treatment, a more youthful appearance is restored whilst maintaining a natural, masculine appearance.

Notice the improvement in nasolabial folds and marionette lines by restoring cheek volume. Individual results may vary.

When it comes to the jawline specifically, we offer Juvederm Volux which is specifically designed to provide increased definition to the jawline by lifting jowls, tightening the skin of the neck, and even improving a double chin by pulling up on these tissues from above.