Aesthetics Services
Laugh Lines and Marionette Lines
Smiling and laughing are one of the greatest joys in life. These can be etched into our faces over time as we age, making it seem like the joy never left our faces. There is nothing wrong with showing how much happiness you’ve had in life, but these lines can make us appear aged well beyond our years. At Zest Clinic, we can help smooth the lines out a little to give you a youthful and vibrant appearance.
What are laugh lines and marionette lines?
Laugh lines, also known as smile lines or nasolabial folds, are the deep lines that run from the sides of our noses down to the corners of our mouth. Marionette lines, also known as melomental folds, are also associated with laughing and smiling; they start at the corners of the mouth and extend down to the chin. When we are young and our skin is still elastic, laugh lines and marionette lines will only appear when we laugh or smile, but as we age the lines become permanent, resulting in deep wrinkles that do not go away. This is because when we get older, our skin loses elasticity, and our muscles start to shrink, causing the malar fat pads to slide down, thus making the lines permanent and obvious.
What causes laugh lines and marionette lines?
Both laugh lines and marionette lines are caused by the following:
- Ageing: our skin starts to lose elasticity and collagen as we age. When this happens, our skin loses the ability to stretch and hold its shape, giving rise to wrinkles such as laugh lines and marionette lines.
- Sun exposure: sun exposure is very damaging to our skin. It causes wrinkles and other skin issues will occur. Applying good quality sunscreen must be part of our daily routine.
- Smoking: the constant pursing of your lips while smoking can cause deep set wrinkles to form. Smoking also destroys collagen and elastin, which also contributes to the formation of wrinkles and deep lines.
- Genetics: laugh lines and marionette lines can also be passed down from your parents.
How are laugh lines and marionette lines treated?
At Zest Clinic, we use a combination of dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections to lift the facial skin and smoothen out these lines.
- Dermal fillers: these fillers contain hyaluronic acid that helps to fill or plump up the skin, resulting in a smooth and wrinkle-free face.
- Anti-wrinkle injections: one common example of anti-wrinkle injections is Botox. These help to relax the muscles at the treatment area, giving you a smooth appearance.
Our doctors will advise you on the best treatment option for your issues.
Benefits of laugh lines and marionette lines removal
- No downtime
- Non-invasive
- Quick procedure
- Safe and effective
- Immediate results
- Youthful looking appearance after treatment
Suitable candidates for laugh lines and marionette lines removal in Singapore
Individuals with the following issues are suitable candidates for laugh lines and marionette lines removal:
- Deep set wrinkles at the nasolabial fold
- Deep set wrinkles at the melomental fold
Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding are not suitable candidates.
To get the best results of your procedure you must:
- Stop smoking: smoking has been known to reduce blood flow to the skin, increasing your chances of tissue damage, and hindering healing and recovery.
- Stop some medications: certain medications such as aspirins and anti-inflammatory drugs thin your blood making you more susceptible to bleeding during and after the procedure.
What results can I expect?
Results of laser hair removal are dependent on a few factors such as treatment area, colour and thickness of the hair, and the colour of your skin. However, you can expect to see some results (approximately 10-25% hair reduction) after your first treatment.
The results of laser hair removal are not uniform amongst everyone, individuals with light skin and dark hair experience the best results. This is because the pigment of the hair should be the one to absorb the laser and not the skin. Darker pigments absorb better and quicker than lighter pigments. Results are also dependent on the colour of your hair; individuals with grey, red, blond, or white hair may experience less effective results.
For the best results, you must observe the following:
- Stop smoking: smoking has been known to reduce blood flow to the skin, increasing your chances of tissue damage, and hindering healing and recovery.
- Stop some medications: certain medications such as aspirins and anti-inflammatory drugs thin your blood making you more susceptible to bleeding during and after the procedure.
Before treatment
- Avoid the sun for two to four weeks before your appointment
- Do not use any skin lightening products on your skin
- Avoid plucking, waxing, or epilating your hair before your appointment
- Gently shave the area to remove all hair before your appointment
- Remove all moisturiser or deodorant used on the area
After treatment
- Use a cold compress to reduce swelling
- Avoid exercise, saunas, and massages for at least one week post-treatment
- Avoid direct sun exposure or tanning beds
- Use good quality sunscreen
How many treatment sessions are required?
Usually, more than one treatment session is required in order to reduce the appearance of your scar. On average, individuals usually require two to five treatment sessions, and more than one type of treatment option may be used each time to get the best possible results. Individuals should leave 1 month between each laser session to allow the skin to heal.
Each laser scar reduction session lasts less than an hour, depending on the location and type of scar. This takes into consideration consultation with our doctors, numbing cream application, laser removal, and after care instructions.
Frequently asked questions
No. laser scar reduction can only improve or reduce the appearance of your scar, it cannot remove your scar completely.
Numbing cream will be applied to the area to minimise discomfort. Additionally, you can consider over the counter, non-aspirin containing painkillers.
At Zest, laser scar reduction starts from $149.
