Restylane for Marionette Lines – Smoothing Out Wrinkles

David Fuller

Last Updated On: August 25, 2025

As we age, certain facial lines start to tell stories we didn’t mean to share. One of the most common is the marionette lines. These are the vertical creases that run from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin. These folds can give the face a tired, sagging, or even sad expression, especially as skin loses elasticity and volume naturally decreases over time.

Fortunately, there’s a non-surgical solution that can help smooth things out. Restylane, a trusted hyaluronic acid (HA) filler, is frequently used by aesthetic practitioners to soften marionette lines, restore lost volume, and create a more lifted, refreshed appearance. When injected with precision and care, it can deliver subtle, natural-looking results—without that “overfilled” look many people worry about.

In this article, we’ll explore how Restylane works for treating marionette lines, what techniques practitioners use, what kind of results to expect, and what patients should know before deciding on this treatment.

Key Takeaways

• Marionette lines form between the corners of the mouth and chin as a result of aging, collagen loss, and repeated facial movement. Genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors can also contribute.
• Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler that softens marionette lines by restoring volume, hydration, and structural support in the lower face.
• Restylane Refyne is suitable for moderate lines and allows for natural facial movement. Defyne offers greater support for deeper folds. Lyft provides firmer lift for significant volume loss.
• Effective treatment depends not only on the right product choice but also on precise injection technique. Many practitioners use a combination of needles and cannulas to ensure smooth, natural results.
• Adjacent areas such as the chin or jawline may also be treated to enhance overall facial balance and improve support for the marionette zone.
• Refyne and Defyne typically last 9 to 12 months, while Lyft may last up to 18 months in areas with minimal movement.
• Most patients see immediate improvement with minimal downtime. Mild swelling or bruising is common but temporary.
• Restylane has FDA approval for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including marionette lines, in adults over the age of 21.

About: Operating since 2016, Med Supply Solutions is known for being one of the industry’s top and trusted suppliers of cosmetic and viscosupplementation products. If you’re looking to buy Restylane online, contact our sales department for more information.  

Understanding Marionette Lines and Aging Mechanisms with Restylane

Marionette lines, the vertical creases that stretch from the corners of the mouth down to the chin, often become more prominent with age. These lines can create a downturned or even sad expression, contributing to an overall appearance of fatigue or premature aging. 

Several factors influence their development, including: collagen depletion, loss of skin elasticity, repetitive facial movements, and environmental stressors like sun exposure and pollution. Genetics and lifestyle choices, including smoking or stress, may also accelerate their formation.

Restylane, a family of hyaluronic acid (HA)–based fillers, provides a non-surgical solution to soften marionette lines by restoring volume, smoothing facial contours, and improving skin support. The filler integrates with the body’s natural tissue to replenish hydration and lift the lower face, helping patients look more refreshed without appearing “done.”

Formulations like Restylane Refyne and Defyne are specifically engineered for dynamic areas, adapting to natural expressions while softening wrinkles. Others, like Restylane Lyft, offer stronger support in cases of significant volume loss. This makes Restylane a versatile choice for a wide range of patients, offering both subtle and substantial results depending on the product selected.

Some patients exploring marionette line treatment ask about Radiesse vs Restylane. While Radiesse (CaHA) stimulates collagen and may last 9–18 months, it is not reversible. In contrast, Restylane offers a safety net: as a hyaluronic acid filler, it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed, making it a reassuring option for patients seeking predictable, adjustable outcomes with natural integration into facial tissue.

Restylane Refyne, Defyne, and Lyft for Marionette Line Correction

Because marionette lines can vary in depth and severity, Restylane offers formulations tailored to different patient needs. This product family allows aesthetic practitioners to customize treatment, delivering results that are both natural-looking and functionally effective.

• Restylane Refyne: Engineered for moderate wrinkles, Refyne uses XpresHAn Technology™ (also known as OBT) to maintain flexibility in high-mobility areas. Its soft, elastic gel integrates smoothly with tissue, enabling patients to smile, laugh, and speak naturally without the filler appearing static. It’s ideal for those seeking gentle rejuvenation while preserving facial expressiveness.
  
• Restylane Defyne: For more pronounced folds, Defyne offers a balance of structure and flexibility. Also built with XpresHAn Technology, it provides deeper support while adapting to facial movement. Defyne is particularly helpful in cases where marionette lines extend deeper toward the chin, allowing for correction that feels firm but not rigid.
  
• Restylane Lyft: As the firmest product in the Restylane range, Lyft is ideal for patients with significant sagging, severe folds, or loss of jawline definition. While not as flexible as Refyne or Defyne, it provides the lift and volume needed in structurally compromised areas. Lyft is not designed for high mobility, but its integration into low-movement zones allows for longer-lasting support and visible rejuvenation.

Choosing between these products depends on factors such as skin thickness, wrinkle depth, elasticity, and the patient’s aesthetic goals. In some cases, experts can use a combination approach. This approach involves layering different Restylane products to address multiple levels of volume loss and skin quality. This layered method supports a personalized plan, whether the goal is subtle refinement or full-face rejuvenation.

Injection Techniques Using Restylane for Natural Results

Achieving natural-looking results with Restylane depends not only on choosing the right product, but also on the precision and artistry of the injection technique. The goal is to soften marionette lines, restore balance, and enhance facial expression, not to overfill or freeze movement.

Rather than focusing only on the lines themselves, skilled injectors often treat the entire lower face, supporting nearby structures to create a more harmonious result.

Key techniques include:

• Layered injection approach: Filler is placed gradually in multiple planes to build support while avoiding overcorrection. This technique allows for subtle lift and volume replacement.
  
• Small, precise injections: These help ensure even distribution, reduce the risk of lumps, and maintain smooth facial contours.
  
• Cannula use: Clinicians often prefer using blunt-tipped cannulas when treating marionette lines. They minimize tissue trauma, which reduces swelling and bruising, and are ideal for broader volume application.
  
• Needle use: Fine-gauge needles provide greater precision, particularly for targeting small or deep folds near the corners of the mouth.
  
• Hybrid technique: Many practitioners combine cannulas and needles to maximize both efficiency and control; cannulas for foundational support, needles for precision detail.
  
• Adjacent zone support: In some cases, experts can treat areas such as the chin, jawline, or pre-jowl sulcus in tandem. Supporting these zones improves overall facial balance, not just wrinkle reduction.

Restylane Treatment Duration and Patient Expectations

One of the most common questions patients ask is: “How long will it last?” The answer depends on multiple factors, including the specific Restylane product used, injection technique, facial movement, and the patient’s metabolism.

• Refyne and Defyne generally last 9 to 12 months, offering sustained flexibility and hydration in dynamic areas.
  
• Lyft may last 12 to 18 months, especially in low-mobility zones like the jawline, where its firmer gel maintains lift and structure over time.

With routine maintenance, many patients notice that results become easier to maintain—and some even report cumulative improvements in skin hydration and elasticity. While these changes are often subjective, they reflect the HA-based filler’s ability to attract moisture and support overall skin quality.

Expectations should be grounded in natural enhancement, not total erasure. Restylane is designed to soften, not freeze or overly fill. Most patients see visible improvement immediately, with optimal results appearing once any swelling or bruising subsides—typically within a few days. Downtime is minimal, and side effects are usually mild and temporary.

Conclusion

Restylane remains a trusted and versatile solution for softening marionette lines and restoring youthful harmony to the lower face. With advanced formulations like Refyne, Defyne, and Lyft, practitioners can tailor treatments to match wrinkle severity, skin type, and desired results—whether subtle or more pronounced.

Compared to other options, Restylane stands out for its reversibility, range of flexibility, and ability to integrate naturally with facial tissue. While products like Radiesse may provide longer-lasting collagen stimulation, Restylane offers a predictable, adjustable, and patient-friendly approach to rejuvenation—especially for those seeking natural results with minimal downtime.

FAQs

1. How long does Restylane last for marionette lines?

Refyne and Defyne typically last 9 to 12 months, while Lyft may last up to 18 months in low-mobility areas. Duration varies by product, injection site, and individual metabolism.

2. Which Restylane product is best for marionette lines?

Refyne is ideal for moderate lines, Defyne for deeper folds, and Lyft for severe volume loss or structural sagging in the lower face.

3. Is Restylane reversible if I don’t like the results?

Yes. Because it comes from hyaluronic acid, clinicians can use hyaluronidase to safely dissolve Restylane, offering peace of mind for patients who have concerns about flexibility or outcomes.

References

Hong GW, Kim SB, Park SY, Wan J, Yi KH. Why do marionette lines appear? Exploring the anatomical perspectives and role of thread-based interventions. Skin Res Technol. 2024;30(4):e13676. doi:10.1111/srt.13676

Rosengaus-Leizgold F, Jasso-Ramírez E, Sicilia NC. The Happy Face Treatment: An Anatomical-Based Technique for the Correction of Marionette Lines and the Oral Commissures. J Drugs Dermatol. 2018;17(11):1226-1228.