Aging Lower Face, Marionette Lines
Make over By Dr. Saad
4.9 on Google • Physician-led care
Marionette Lines — Sad Look
The corners of your mouth can tell a story that isn’t yours — a sad, downturned expression that shows up even on your happiest days. That pull is marionette lines, one of the most correctable signs of facial aging.
Marionette line
Dr. Saad@healing.aesthetics
01 The Problem
Why the corners of your mouth turn down
Whether you call them marionette lines, downturned mouth corners, or simply “puppet lines,” we focus on the same thing — why it’s happening. With age, a few quiet changes converge at the lower face and leave you looking tired or sad, even when you feel anything but.
Collagen & volume loss
The support beneath the skin thins, so the tissue loses its scaffolding and folds downward.
Descending cheeks
Midface volume slides downward with time, adding weight that drags the mouth corners with it.
An overactive muscle
When a muscle (called the depressor anguli oris) becomes overactive, it pulls the corners of the mouth down toward the chin.
Sun damage & lost elasticity
Years of UV exposure break down elastin, so the skin no longer springs back into place.
02 The Fix
We treat the root cause, not just the crease
Because we understand exactly why it’s happening, Dr. Saad treats the cause at its core — not just the line on the surface. Different faces respond to different modalities, and the most natural results often combine them.
Biostimulation
Choosing the right biostimulant — like Radiesse® or Sculptra® — rebuilds your own collagen and fixes the loss of support at its core.
Wrinkle relaxers
When the depressor anguli oris is overactive, relaxing it lets the mouth corners rest in a lifted position — a perfect complement to volume.
Skin tightening
Lasers and microneedling RF refine skin quality and firmness, polishing the result from the surface for a smoother finish.
What to Expect
Consultation & Mapping
Dr. Saad examines your lower face — volume, muscle activity, and skin quality — to pinpoint exactly what is pulling your mouth corners down, then maps a plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
Real Results
Before & After
Actual patient results from Healing Aesthetics. Individual outcomes may vary.
What Marionette Line Treatment Can Do
A tailored plan does more than erase a crease — it lifts the whole lower face and brings back a rested, approachable expression.
- Softer, shallower lines from the mouth corners to the chin
- Lifted mouth corners — a less downturned, less "sad" resting face
- Restored volume and structure in the lower face
- Your own collagen rebuilt with biostimulants like Radiesse
- A smoother transition from mouth to jawline
- Natural, subtle results — refreshed, not overfilled
- Quick in-office visit with little to no downtime
Why Choose Healing Aesthetics
Physician-Led
Every injection by Dr. Saad, MD.
Structure-First Method
We rebuild support, not just fill lines.
Natural, Never Overdone
You'll still look like you — just refreshed, and quietly prettier.
Real Local Results
Hinsdale patients, real before & afters.
Meet Your Physician
Dr. Maged Saad
Dr. Maged Saad is a board-certified physician and founder of Healing Medical & Aesthetics. He combines advanced medical expertise with an artistic approach to deliver natural, balanced results.
Guided by the belief that aesthetics should enhance—not change—he focuses on treating the root cause with precision while preserving each patient’s unique essence.
Marionette Line Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often before a consultation.
What are marionette lines?
Marionette lines are the vertical creases that run downward from the corners of the mouth toward the chin, named after the hinged mouth of a marionette puppet. As they deepen, they pull the corners of the mouth down and can give the face a tired, sad, or angry expression even at rest. They're also called mouth corner lines, puppet lines, or downturned mouth corners.
What causes marionette lines?
Marionette lines form as the face loses collagen, fat, and bone support with age. Skin around the mouth thins, the cheeks descend, and the corners of the mouth lose their underlying scaffolding, so the tissue folds downward. Sun damage, smoking, genetics, and repeated expression accelerate the process. Because the root cause is lost volume and structure, the most natural correction rebuilds that support rather than just filling the crease.
How do you get rid of marionette lines without surgery?
The most effective non-surgical treatment restores the lost structure that lets the mouth corners fall. Dr. Saad uses biostimulant injectables such as Radiesse, which stimulate your own collagen. A small amount of neuromodulator can relax the muscle that pulls the corners down. Most patients see immediate softening with continued improvement over several weeks as new collagen forms.
Is marionette line treatment painful, and is there downtime?
Treatment is quick and well tolerated. A topical numbing cream is applied first, and the injectables contain lidocaine, so most patients feel only brief pressure. There's little to no downtime — you can return to normal activities the same day. Mild swelling, redness, or occasional bruising can occur and typically resolves within a few days.
How long do marionette line results last?
Results vary from person to person. Biostimulants like Radiesse typically last 12 to 18 months, depending on individual factors — while building your own collagen and improving skin quality over time. Dr. Saad will recommend a maintenance schedule to keep the correction looking fresh and natural.
How much does marionette line treatment cost?
Cost depends on how much volume and structure is needed to correct the lines, which is determined during your consultation. Because Dr. Saad is a physician who tailors each plan to the individual face, pricing is quoted transparently after your assessment. Book a consultation to receive a personalized plan and quote.
Soften Your Marionette Lines
Tell us a bit about you and Dr. Saad's team will reach out to schedule your consultation.