Marionette lines are the facial wrinkles that run vertically between the mouth and chin, and can also create sagging in the lower half of the face. They get their name from the marionette string puppets which became famous for their split-jaw appearance. Like other fine lines and wrinkles, marionette lines are caused by the natural loss of collagen and elastin that happens as a result of the ageing process – collagen and elastin are both proteins that are found in the skin and keep it healthy, strong and youthful-looking.
Marionette lines tend to develop before other signs of ageing, as the skin around the mouth is the
inner and more susceptible to change. External factors, such as sun exposure, stress and a poor diet and lifestyle, can also accentuate their appearance.