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Kim Ga-eul

Dec 2, 2025

Marionette & forehead wrinkles Sculptra procedure

Marionette & forehead wrinkles Sculptra procedure

Marionette & forehead wrinkles Sculptra procedure

Anatomical Understanding of Marionette


Hello.

This is Chief Director Kim Ga-eul.

Nasolabial folds, Marionette lines

Why do they occur and how should we approach them?


Nasolabial folds are caused by

  1. Loss of fat around the mouth

  2. Drooping of nasolabial fat

  3. Decrease in skin elasticity

These various factors simultaneously contribute to their formation.

So today, I will explain in the simplest way how to use

Sculptra for improving nasolabial folds and marionette lines alongside
lifting

to enhance understanding.




Step 1: First, we organize the drooping fat




When the jowl fat falls down

the lines around the mouth and the marionette lines

appear much deeper.

The most fundamental equipment at this time is

HIFU lifting.

🔸 Basic Principle of HIFU Lifting



Ultrasound creates a ‘thermal coagulation point’ in the deeper layers of the skin (SMAS)

to contract the tissues and lift elasticity.

Its definite effect is an advantage.

It is the most widely used

lifting equipment line in dermatology.

Ulthera: High intensity, verified effects

Shrink: Cost-effective option

It is designed according to the thickness of fat, skin, and line.



The key to HIFU is
‘where and how to shoot’


Many people think

“Is it okay to just target the jowl fat?” but

this is only partially correct.

If you continuously target only one area with lasers

some improvement is possible, but

“If the design is not appropriate,”

side effects occur immediately.


Especially the marionette lines

are HIFU prohibition zones

So the area just above the marionette lines should

avoid HIFU and combine with other procedures.



If you shoot according to the guidelines

there is a risk of hollowness in the cheeks.




So how should we design

to improve without side effects?



Asian faces often have

protruding cheekbones

and plump sides.

Therefore,

it’s essential to start with the cheekbone design so that the nasolabial folds and marionette lines

naturally blend in.

However, in practice,

the important cheekbone line is often omitted.

This can make the lower part look sunken or

the overall contour does not connect smoothly.

Cheekbones aren’t just bone,

but also comprised of fat layers, fascia, and skin

which together create structure, so precise design is very important.






Step 2: Directly fill the sunken cheeks and wrinkle lines



Just solving drooping

does not make the already deep marionette lines

disappear.

Now, volume reinforcement is needed.

This is where Sculptra shines.

Reasons for Sculptra's effectiveness

Sculptra is a typical collagen booster injection that does not provide immediate volume like filler,

but instead gradually creates collagen from within the skin

to naturally fill in volume.

🪄Sculptra Effect Timeline

🪄 6~9 weeks

Collagen generation begins

🪄 3 months

The nasolabial folds and marionette lines begin to fill

🪄 1~2 years maintenance

Newly formed collagen is maintained firmly

In other words,

the longer time passes, the more youthful changes occur,

natural volume that lasts long,

is the type of treatment best suited for those who want both.




Step 3: For wrinkles caused by muscles

use Botox to resolve them


If the DAO muscle pulling down the corners of the mouth

is strong,

the marionette lines become deeper.

Performing Botox on the corners of the mouth will

make the result more natural and tidy.

When getting expression Botox

it’s best to manage it with a feeling of ‘adding one area’.



⭐ Marionette line treatment must
address all three aspects simultaneously



☝️ Solve fat drooping

HIFU + complementary procedures in prohibition zones

✌️ Recover volume

Sculptra

👌 Control muscles

Botox for the corners of the mouth

This composition ensures

that the jawline is not heavy

and a natural youthful line is completed.







💡 Additional Q&A


Q. Will Sculptra make my face unnaturally big?

A. Sculptra does not provide immediate volume like fillers.

As collagen is gradually produced over time,

the face does not suddenly enlarge or appear artificial.





Q. Can Sculptra reduce the jowl fat itself?

A. Sculptra is not a treatment that reduces fat itself.

However, it can realign the volumetric structure around the jowl fat

to lift the collapsed line,

thus softening the impression of prominent jowl fat.






Q. When can I wear makeup after Sculptra?

A. You can apply makeup as soon as bruises or needle marks disappear.

Usually, it’s fine within 1 to 2 days.

​However, it is advisable to avoid hard pressure, strong massages, and saunas

for the first 3 to 5 days.




Thank you for reading.

This is Kim Ga-eul.

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