Lower-face assessment
The doctor examines mouth corners, chin, jowls and jawline at rest and when speaking.
MOHW-designated Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution · 2026
Marionette Line Treatments in Gangnam Seoul, Korea
Marionette lines run down from the corners of the mouth and can make a relaxed face look sad or annoyed. They are closely linked to the jowls, so the lower face is usually treated as one unit.
- 2 MD-PhD directors
- 2007 In Gangnam since
- 4 Languages
- 3 mo Free follow-up
In brief
Marionette Line Treatments, at a glance
Gangnam Celliting Clinic · 121 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · Gangnam Station Exit 12 (4-min walk)
Marionette lines usually respond best to a combination: lifting the lower face to reduce jowl weight, and supporting lost volume near the mouth corners. Energy-based lifting such as Ultherapy or Thermage FLX may tighten the area, while filler or a collagen stimulator can support the groove. Expect a softer, less downturned look, not complete removal.
- Where From mouth corners toward the chin
- Linked with Jowls and lower-face laxity
- Usual strategy Lifting plus volume support
- Realistic goal Softer, less downturned expression
The sad look
Why do marionette lines make the face look sad?
Marionette lines make the face look sad because they pull the visual line of the mouth corners downward, even when you feel relaxed. They form where the cheek and jowl tissue sit above the chin and lower lip. As this tissue descends, a shadow forms from each mouth corner, and the corners themselves can turn slightly down. A muscle that pulls the mouth corners downward may add to the effect.
Tissue descent
Cheek and jowl fat move lower, creating a fold beside the chin.
Volume loss
Support under the mouth corners thins, deepening the groove.
Muscle pull
An active depressor muscle can draw the corners downward.
Skin laxity
Thinner, less elastic skin creases more easily.
Lower-face link
How are marionette lines connected to jowls?
Marionette lines and jowls are two signs of the same process: lower-face tissue slipping below the jawline. The jowl sits just outside the marionette line, so as it grows heavier, the groove between it and the chin deepens. Treating the line without considering the jowl often gives a limited result.
Our guide to non-surgical jowl treatments explains jowl lifting in detail, and lower face lifting treatments covers the wider jaw and chin area.
Combination care
How do lifting and volume support work together here?
Lifting first reduces the weight pulling the corners down, then careful volume support fills the remaining groove. A typical staged plan may look like this:
- Tighten the lower face Ultrasound or radiofrequency devices such as Ultherapy or Thermage FLX may tighten tissue along the jaw and jowl.
- Support the mouth corners Small amounts of filler may support the groove beneath each corner, for suitable patients.
- Build collagen A collagen stimulator such as Sculptra may be added for broader, gradual support.
- Relax downward pull In some faces, softening the muscle that pulls the corners down may help.
- Maintain skin quality Skin-quality treatments help the surface look smoother over time.
Too much filler at the mouth corners can look heavy; the lift step helps keep amounts small.
Expectations
What results can you realistically expect?
A realistic result is a softer groove and a more neutral resting expression, rather than a completely smooth chin area. Lifting changes develop gradually over weeks to months, while volume support shows sooner. Deep lines with significant jowling may improve only partly without surgery, and your doctor will discuss this openly.
Is it right for you?
Who is a good candidate for marionette line care?
Often a good fit
- People tell you that you look sad or tired at rest
- Early jowls are forming along your jawline
- You want a balanced lower face, not a filled look
- You are open to a staged, combination plan
Talk to your doctor first
- Heavy jowls or loose neck skin that may need surgery
- Previous filler or threads in the lower face
- Dental work or jaw procedures planned soon
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or autoimmune conditions
Suitability is a medical decision made by your doctor after an in-person consultation and review of your health history.
Step by step
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Your marionette line visit, step by step
Explain the main driver
You learn whether descent, volume loss or muscle pull is the main cause.
Staged plan
A lifting step and a volume step are scheduled in a sensible order for your stay.
Treatment with comfort options
Sedation, AirNox or topical anaesthesia are matched to each procedure.
Aftercare and follow-up
Written aftercare in your language, plus free follow-up for 3 months at home.
Why Celliting
Why patients choose Gangnam Celliting Clinic
01
Pain-managed care
Monitored sleep sedation, AirNox analgesia, the X-injector or local anesthesia, matched to the procedure.
02
Government-designated
Named an Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in June 2026.
03
Care after you fly home
Written aftercare in your language, a 24-hour line and a free 3-month follow-up.
For international patients
A lower-face plan for visitors to Gangnam
For a short trip, lifting can come first because it has minimal downtime, followed by volume support a day or two later if needed. Allow a few days before flying for any swelling or bruising at the mouth corners to settle. Both medical directors, Dr. Ho-chan Kim and Dr. Young-mi Rhee, examine and treat patients themselves. The clinic is in Gangnam, Seoul, about four minutes on foot from Gangnam Station Exit 12.
- Message us first Send photos and travel dates on WhatsApp before you fly.
- Doctor-reviewed plan Get a suggested plan in advance, confirmed in person.
- Your language English, 中文, 日本語 and Tiếng Việt support.
- Follow-up at home Free 3-month follow-up and a 24-hour line.
FAQ
Marionette Line Treatments: your questions, answered
Reviewed by Dr. Ho-chan Kim, MD, PhD · Updated October 2026
Can marionette lines be treated without filler?
Sometimes. When lower-face laxity is the main cause, lifting with ultrasound or radiofrequency may soften the lines on its own. Where the groove is deep or volume has clearly been lost, a small amount of volume support is often added for a balanced result.
Will treating marionette lines also help my jowls?
Often, yes, if the plan includes lifting. Tightening the lower face reduces the jowl weight that deepens the groove. Filler at the line alone does not lift jowls, which is why the two are usually assessed together.
Can the mouth corners be turned up?
They can sometimes look less downturned. Combining lift, small volume support and, in some cases, relaxing the muscle that pulls the corners down may create a more neutral resting mouth. A fixed, lasting upward change should not be expected.
How long until I see the effect of lower-face lifting?
Some tightening may be felt early, but collagen-related change usually develops over the following weeks to months. Volume support shows sooner. Your doctor will explain which part of the plan affects which timeline.
Is surgery ever the better option?
Yes, for some people. When jowls and neck laxity are advanced, non-surgical care may only partly help. Our doctors will tell you honestly if your goals are better met by a surgical opinion.
Explore more
Related pages in Gangnam, Seoul
Cell by cell
Ease the downturned look at your mouth
Share front and side photos on WhatsApp and our doctors in Gangnam, Seoul will suggest a lift-plus-support plan.
Medical information on this page is provided by Gangnam Celliting Clinic and reviewed by our medical directors. It is not a substitute for an in-person medical consultation. Individual results vary, and all procedures carry potential risks and side effects that your doctor will explain before treatment.
