Marionette Line Fillerin Gangnam, Seoul
Marionette line filler softens the lines that run from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin. These lines sit just below the smile lines and can give the face a downturned look even at rest. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is used along the line and, often, to support the corner of the mouth and the chin area that frame it. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess the lower face first, then decide where to place the HA. A session usually takes about 15–30 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Who it’s for
- Lines from the mouth corners toward the chin that deepen with age
- A downturned or tired look at rest
- Drooping mouth corners you would like to support
- Anyone wanting to soften the lower face without surgery
Marionette lines often improve most when the mouth corner and chin area are supported together, not just the line itself. The mouth is mobile, so softening rather than erasing is the goal. Suitability is confirmed during consultation.
How it works
HA filler adds volume where it is placed and is gradually absorbed over time. For marionette lines, the doctor commonly supports the structures around the line — the corner of the mouth and the chin beside it — because lifting these can ease the downturn at its source, and then places a softer gel along the groove itself, usually with a cannula in a deeper layer. Treating the frame and the line together tends to look more natural than filling the crease alone. Because this area moves, the line is softened rather than fully erased. HA can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if needed. (Results vary by individual.)
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Water-holding volume
Hyaluronic acid binds water and adds soft volume, used both to support the mouth corner and chin that frame the line and to cushion the groove itself.
02Support the frame, then the line
Lifting the drooping mouth corner and the chin beside it can ease the downturn at its source; a softer gel is then placed along the groove, usually with a blunt cannula in a deeper layer.
03Immediate but temporary
Softening shows the same day because the gel fills and cushions the groove; over the following months the body gradually breaks the HA down, so the effect is not permanent.
04Adjustable and reversible
Because it is HA, the result can be added to gradually, or dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase) if an adjustment is ever needed.
Treatment areas
- Marionette groove
- The line from the mouth corner toward the chin, softened along its length.
- Mouth corner (oral commissure)
- Supporting a drooping corner to ease the downturned look.
- Chin-side support
- The chin area beside the line, volumized to frame the mouth.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation and assessment of the lower face
- 2Cleansing, marking and topical numbing for comfort
- 3HA to support the mouth corner and chin and soften the line, by cannula or needle
- 4Review of symmetry and aftercare guidance
Time: A session usually takes about 15–30 minutes.
Recovery & aftercare
- Little downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary swelling, redness, tenderness or bruising may occur and usually settles within about 1–2 weeks.
- Avoid pressing or massaging the area, and skip saunas and intense exercise for a day or two as we advise.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Treatment day
Softening is visible immediately. Mild swelling, redness or tenderness is common, and the area can look fuller than the final result at first.
DAY 1-3 Early settling
Most swelling eases and any bruising begins to fade. Makeup and normal skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 1-2 Settled result
Swelling resolves and the softened line and mouth corner look natural at rest and in movement. (Results vary by individual.)
9-12 MONTHS Duration
Because the mouth area moves often, HA here tends to last around 9–12 months, varying with the product and your metabolism. (Results vary by individual.)
TOP-UP Review & maintenance
Your doctor reviews the result and, if appropriate, discusses timing for a top-up based on your face.
Sessions & results
Softening appears right away and settles over about 1–2 weeks. Because the mouth area moves often, HA here tends to last around 9–12 months, usually less than deep, still areas. A top-up is discussed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
These all address the downturned line or the mouth corner above it, but they work in different ways and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess the lower face.
| Comparison | Marionette Line Filler | Botulinum toxin | Thread lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent | Hyaluronic acid (HA) gel | Botulinum toxin | Absorbable threads (e.g. PDO) |
| What it does | Supports the mouth corner and chin and cushions the groove | Relaxes the muscle that pulls the mouth corner down | Repositions and lifts tissue mechanically |
| Onset | Immediate; settles over about 1–2 weeks | Gradual over several days | Immediate lift; settles over weeks |
| Duration | Around 9–12 months (varies) | Around 3–4 months (varies) | Months, varying with thread type |
| Reversible? | Yes — dissolvable with hyaluronidase | Not dissolvable; wears off over time | Threads absorb; not easily removed early |
| Downtime | Little; temporary swelling or bruising | Little; occasional bruising | Some soreness and swelling for a few days |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary swelling, redness or a feeling of fullness
- Tenderness or bruising at the injection points
- Small lumps or slight unevenness, which usually settle or can be smoothed
- Very rarely, filler affecting a blood vessel — this needs prompt medical attention
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Active skin infection, inflammation or a breakout in the treatment area
- A known allergy to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine
- Previous filler, threads or surgery in the area — tell your doctor so placement can be planned
- A bleeding tendency or blood-thinning medication — tell your doctor
Whether to support the mouth corner and chin, soften the line, or both is confirmed during consultation. Effects and their duration vary by individual, and side effects may occur. We explain the warning signs — unusual pain, or skin turning pale or dusky — so you know to contact us promptly.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified doctor
Your injection is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified doctor.
Frame and line together
The mouth corner and chin that frame the line are assessed with the groove itself, not the line alone.
Reversible HA, softened not erased
We use HA that can be dissolved if needed, and aim to soften the line naturally rather than overfill it.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
Pricing
Pricing depends on the product and the amount used, which are decided after we assess the lower face. Please consult us for a personalized quote.
Frequently asked questions
Smile (nasolabial) lines run from the nose to the mouth corners, while marionette lines run from the mouth corners down toward the chin. They are often treated together but with different placement. (Results vary by individual.)
Supporting the mouth corner and the chin area beside it can ease a downturned look, combined with softening the line itself. It is not a substitute for surgical lifting. (Results vary by individual.)
A topical anesthetic is applied first, and many HA fillers contain a local anesthetic. Most people feel pressure and brief discomfort. Comfort options are discussed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
Often around 9–12 months, usually shorter than deeper areas because the mouth moves so much. A top-up is discussed at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
Yes. HA filler can be adjusted or dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed. We discuss this option during consultation.
Yes. Our doctors consult in English directly, and 中文 / 日本語 can be arranged in advance. Tell us your language on WhatsApp before your visit.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Smile Line Filler
The folds from the nose to the mouth sit just above and are often planned together.
+Chin Filler
Supporting the chin beside the line can frame the mouth and is often combined.
+Botulinum toxin (mouth corner)
Relaxing the muscle that pulls the corner down addresses movement that filler does not; sequencing is decided by your doctor.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST) · card payment.
For International PatientsMedically reviewed by Dr. Sahyeok Hong, board-certified plastic surgeon and Director of QD Clinic.