What are marionette lines
Cleveland Clinic describes marionette lines, also called melomental folds, as creases that extend from the corners of the mouth to the chin. They differ from nasolabial folds, which run from the nose to the mouth. Most people develop them with age, typically around 40, though faint lines can appear in the 20s and 30s. Cleveland Clinic says they become deeper as you age.
Common causes
- Ageing and family history. Cleveland Clinic names loss of collagen and elastin (proteins that keep skin firm) and family history.
- Sun, smoking, stress and lip pursing. Cleveland Clinic lists sun exposure without sunscreen, smoking (earlier or deeper lines), severe stress and frequent lip pursing.
- Bone, muscle and fat changes. A 2024 narrative review by practitioners of thread lifting cites jaw bone loss, the downward pull of the depressor anguli oris (a muscle that draws the mouth corner down), and drooping jowl and cheek fat.
Treatments clinics in Korea list for marionette lines
Each card shows what the treatment is, its downtime as described in the sources, and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory publishes for it. Cleveland Clinic also lists peels, laser resurfacing and microneedling, which have no page here.
Filler
Injectable gel, most often hyaluronic acid (HA), used to smooth wrinkles and restore volume.
Downtime (per the sources): Swelling and bruising soon after injection; many settle within days to weeks
From ₩29,000 (≈ US$22)Art of Shine Skin Clinic · Body Filler 1cc · VAT excluded
19 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsBotox
Botulinum toxin type A, injected into a muscle to relax it for a few months.
Downtime (per the sources): Effect starts in 1 to 2 days and builds over about a week; labels list side effects such as eyelid drooping
From ₩10,000 (≈ US$8)JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session · VAT excluded
20 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsThread lift
Thin absorbable threads, usually barbed, placed under the skin to hold and lift sagging tissue.
Downtime (per the sources): Swelling, bruising and local pain are expected; swelling lasted 2 to 4 months in some patients
From ₩50,000 (≈ US$38)JRYN Skin Clinic Nampo · Ultra V thread lift, 10 threads · VAT excluded
15 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsFace lift
Surgery that lifts the skin of the face, tightens deeper tissue layers and removes extra skin.
Downtime (per the sources): Stitches out after a few days to about a week; follow-up visits for about two months; no sun on the incisions for three weeks
From ₩1,980,000 (≈ US$1,490)Newline Plastic Surgery · Double Chin Muscle Tightening · VAT not stated
3 clinics in this directory list a regular price
All prices and clinicsWhat the sources say about results and limits
- Filler. Cleveland Clinic says fillers may help mild to moderate lines, may not suit everyone and might create an unnatural look. A review gives about 3 to 12 months for hyaluronic acid, says more severe cases may require surgery, and calls vascular compromise (blocked blood supply) a feared complication.
- Botulinum toxin. Cleveland Clinic lists it, and the 2024 review says it weakens the depressor anguli oris and so reduces the downward force on the mouth corner. As of October 2026, the US BOTOX Cosmetic label lists frown lines, crow's feet, forehead lines and platysma bands, not this area.
- Thread lifts. The 2024 review says knotless absorbable threads suit only a moderate degree of laxity. A systematic review found only a very limited durability of the lift in all but two studies, and those two were sponsored by thread makers.
- Face-lift. Cleveland Clinic says a full or mini face-lift may be recommended for deeper lines, with a longer recovery, and calls surgery the only long-lasting option. StatPearls says minor revisions are commonly needed within 1 to 2 years.
Published prices
The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.
| Clinic | Filler | Botox | Thread lift | Face lift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art of Shine Skin Clinic | ₩29,000 (≈ US$22) VAT excluded · Body Filler 1cc | ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Jaw Botox 50 units, Korean toxin | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT excluded · JAMBER Thread: 1 Thread | — |
| Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo | ₩90,000 (≈ US$68) VAT excluded · Filler · 아띠에르 (Korean brand) · 1 cc | ₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Korean toxin | ₩170,000 (≈ US$128) VAT excluded · MINT nose thread lift · tip, 2 threads | — |
| Bellis Skin Clinic | ₩176,000 (≈ US$133) VAT included · Shoulder filler 1 cc (Korean brand, add-on) | ₩55,000 (≈ US$42) VAT included · Wrinkle Botox 1 area (Coretox) | — | — |
| DAMI Skin Clinic | ₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Korean filler (Byrizn, Rejuviel, YVOIRE) 1 cc | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Botulax — per area | ₩150,000 (≈ US$113) VAT excluded · JAMBER thread lift, per thread 1 thread | — |
| DayBeau Skin Clinic Myeongdong Premium | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT excluded · Filler dissolving injection, high-purity liquid hyaluronidase 1cc | ₩30,000 (≈ US$23) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, 1 area (Korean toxin) | ₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Non-surgical lifting thread, 1 thread (Blue Rose) | — |
| EU:GENES Skin Clinic | — | — | ₩70,000 (≈ US$53) VAT excluded · Thread lift, 1 thread | — |
| JRYN Skin Clinic Nampo | ₩39,000 (≈ US$29) VAT excluded · Chin filler 1 cc (Atiere) | ₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Glabella (frown-line) Botox, Korean high-purity toxin | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Ultra V thread lift, 10 threads | — |
| JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon | ₩39,000 (≈ US$29) VAT excluded · Chin filler 1 cc (Attierre) | ₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox, Korean toxin (Newlux), 1 session | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Ultra V threads, 10 threads | — |
| Kleam Skin Clinic Myeongdong | ₩70,000 (≈ US$53) VAT excluded · Body Filler Korean 1cc (when 200cc or more) | ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (Korean/Excl. Forehead) 1 area | — | — |
| Louave Skin Clinic | ₩150,000 (≈ US$113) VAT included · Filler (starting price, fee notice) | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT included · Botox (starting price, fee notice) | — | — |
| Marble Plastic Surgery | — | ₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Botox, eye area (fee notice starting price) | — | ₩8,000,000 (≈ US$6,040) VAT excluded · Facelift (fee notice starting price) |
| MIN Skin Clinic | ₩290,000 (≈ US$219) VAT excluded · Mouth Corner Filler | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT excluded · Glabella or Nostril Botox — Domestic toxin | ₩600,000 (≈ US$453) VAT excluded · Spiral Thread Lift PDO — V-Line | — |
| Newline Plastic Surgery | ₩90,000 (≈ US$68) VAT excluded · Lip corner filler, S type | ₩24,000 (≈ US$18) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox (forehead, frown lines or crow's feet), Liztox, 12U 12 units | ₩120,000 (≈ US$91) VAT not stated · Mint thread lift, per thread 1 thread | ₩1,980,000 (≈ US$1,490) VAT not stated · Double Chin Muscle Tightening |
| NewRizz Skin Clinic | ₩139,000 (≈ US$105) VAT excluded · Neuramis (Korean filler) 1 cc | ₩10,000 (≈ US$8) VAT excluded · Korean standard toxin "뉴럭스": wrinkle Botox, one area 1 area | ₩80,000 (≈ US$60) VAT excluded · Mono collagen threads, 10 threads | — |
| Oaro Skin Clinic Cheongdam | ₩320,000 (≈ US$242) VAT not stated · Filler (fee notice range) | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Botulinum toxin (fee notice range) | — | — |
| Obliv Seoul Origin Skin Clinic | ₩242,000 (≈ US$183) VAT not stated · HA filler · Korean product | ₩88,000 (≈ US$66) VAT not stated · Botox · Korean toxin | ₩165,000 (≈ US$125) VAT not stated · MINT thread lift | — |
| The Walts Clinic | ₩200,000 (≈ US$151) VAT excluded · Volume filler, Korean (Chaeum Premium / EPTQ) 1 cc | ₩35,000 (≈ US$26) VAT excluded · Neulux Botox, wrinkles, 1 area | ₩63,000 (≈ US$48) VAT excluded · Cavern thread lift (face), 1 thread | — |
| Val:U Skin Clinic Myeongdong | ₩70,000 (≈ US$53) VAT excluded · Filler dissolving (hyaluronidase) · filler done at this clinic · 1 cc | ₩25,000 (≈ US$19) VAT excluded · Wrinkle Botox · 1 area · Newlux (Korean) | — | — |
| Will Be Plastic Surgery | — | — | — | ₩8,000,000 (≈ US$6,040) VAT not stated · Mini facelift |
| YAAN Skin Clinic | ₩290,000 (≈ US$219) VAT excluded · Korean filler · 1 cc | ₩100,000 (≈ US$76) VAT not stated · Wrinkle Botox — Xeomin | ₩590,000 (≈ US$445) VAT not stated · Silhouette Soft · 1 thread | — |
| Youngjong Central Skin Clinic | ₩250,000 (≈ US$189) VAT excluded · Filler · Korean brand · 1 cc (forehead, front cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds, side cheeks) | ₩87,500 (≈ US$66) VAT excluded · Liztox Botox · forehead, crow's feet, frown lines or nose · per area 1 area | ₩55,000 (≈ US$42) VAT excluded · Thread lift · PDO mono (grid lifting) · per thread 1 thread | — |
| YUNO Plastic Surgery | ₩150,000 (≈ US$113) VAT not stated · Filler (starting price) | ₩50,000 (≈ US$38) VAT not stated · Botox (starting price) | ₩2,500,000 (≈ US$1,890) VAT not stated · Thread lift (starting price) | — |
Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.
Questions to ask the clinic
- How would you grade my lines, and which option suits that grade?
- Which product or device will you use, and where is it made? MFDS warns that fillers used outside their approved purposes have caused blindness and infections, so ask whether it is approved for this area.
- How much product or how many threads does the quote cover, and is a touch-up included?
- What happens if the result looks unnatural or is not as planned?
- Does the written quote include VAT and follow-up visits?
FAQ
What is the difference between marionette lines and nasolabial folds?
Cleveland Clinic says marionette lines run from the corners of the mouth to the chin, while nasolabial folds run from the nose to the mouth. It lists some of the same options for both, such as Botox, fillers and face-lift, and a doctor examines the area before proposing a plan.
Can filler remove marionette lines?
Cleveland Clinic says dermal fillers may help mild to moderate marionette lines and might create an unnatural look. A review says more severe cases may require surgery. Cleveland Clinic says the effects of cosmetic treatments wear off, so repeat sessions are needed.
How long do the results last?
Cleveland Clinic says cosmetic treatments wear off and need additional sessions. A review gives about 3 to 12 months for hyaluronic acid filler, and PDO threads are generally absorbed within about 6 months. Cleveland Clinic calls surgery the only long-lasting solution.
Is Botox used for marionette lines?
Cleveland Clinic lists Botox for marionette lines, and a 2024 review describes it as reducing the downward pull of a mouth-corner muscle. The US BOTOX Cosmetic label, as of October 2026, lists other areas. The doctor decides after an examination whether it suits you.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic: Marionette lines
- Skin Research and Technology (PMC): Why do marionette lines appear? Exploring the anatomical perspectives and role of thread-based interventions (2024)
- World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (PMC): Using injectable fillers for chin and jawline rejuvenation (2023)
- DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine: BOTOX Cosmetic label (Allergan/AbbVie)
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PubMed): Thread-lift sutures, still in the lift? A systematic review of the literature (2018)
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open (PMC): Facial thread lifting complications in China, analysis and treatment (2021)
- StatPearls: Cervicofacial rhytidectomy
- Medigate News: check the approved purpose and side effects before using cosmetic fillers (2020-11-15)