By Sonia Singh, certified face yoga instructor
The lines around the mouth frustrate a lot of people, but most routines go about them the wrong way. They drill the lines directly, when the real cause is usually higher up: the cheeks losing volume and drifting down. Fix the support and the lines soften. Chase the lines alone and you’ll struggle.
Let me explain the difference between the two lines people mean here, then give you a routine that works from the right place.
Marionette lines vs nasolabial folds
They’re often confused, so quickly:
- Nasolabial folds run from the sides of your nose down to the corners of your mouth. Everyone has these to some degree, they deepen when you smile, and they’re completely normal. The goal is softening them, not erasing them, because a face without any is not a natural face.
- Marionette lines run from the corners of your mouth down toward the chin. These come more from ageing, gravity and sagging, and can give the mouth a downturned, tired look.
Both share the same underlying story, so the same routine helps both.
What actually causes them
The big one people miss: loss of cheek volume and mid-face support. As the cheeks flatten and drift down with age, that weight presses into the fold below and deepens it. Add to that:
- Natural collagen and elastin loss with age
- Gravity’s steady downward pull
- Repeated expressions and, for nasolabial folds, smiling
- Genetics
- Lifestyle: sun, smoking, poor sleep, dehydration
- Sleeping position (constant pressure from side or stomach sleeping creases the skin)
The key idea: lift the support, not just the line
Here’s what sets this routine apart. Because these folds are largely held down by sagging mid-face, the most useful thing you can do is lift and tone the cheeks that sit above them. Strong, lifted cheeks take the weight off the fold. Working only the mouth corners, while ignoring the cheeks, is why so many people feel like face yoga “isn’t working” for these lines.
So this routine leads with the cheeks, then works the mouth area.
Your routine (cheeks first)
Clean hands and face, a drop of oil or serum, and keep the skin smooth, never crease it.
1. Cheek lifter (repeat 5 times) Make an “O” with your mouth and fold your top lip over your teeth. Smile to lift the cheeks, hold a few seconds, release. This is the centrepiece: lifting the cheeks supports the folds from above.
2. Puffy cheeks (30 seconds each side) Fill your mouth with air and puff your cheeks. Rest one palm lightly over your lips, and gently tap the puffed cheek with your other hand. Switch sides. Plumps and boosts circulation in the mid-face.
3. Smile lifter (repeat 5 times) Curl your lips over your teeth, move your jaw slightly forward, and lift the corners of your mouth into a soft smile, keeping both corners level. Hold 10 seconds. Trains the muscles that lift the mouth corners upward.
4. The Big O (30 seconds) Make an “O” shape with your mouth. With your index fingers, tap gently from the corners of your mouth up along the cheeks. Works the ring of muscle around the mouth and smooths the fold area.
5. Mouth-corner lift and smooth (repeat 5 times) Place index fingers lightly at the corners of your mouth to anchor the skin smooth, then gently lift the corners up. Hold, release. Keep the surface uncreased throughout.
6. Finish (30 seconds) Rest warm palms over the lower face, breathe, and gently smooth outward and upward along the cheeks and jaw.
Habits that make a real difference
- Sleep on your back. Side and stomach sleeping press and crease the face night after night, which deepens these lines over years.
- Don’t crease during exercises. Smooth, not scrunched.
- Sunscreen daily. Sun breaks down the collagen that keeps the mid-face supported.
- Hydrate and eat well. Skin quality shows in these folds.
Face yoga versus fillers
Honest comparison, because many people weigh this up. Fillers physically fill the crease and restore lost cheek volume, so they work fast and noticeably, especially for deep folds. Face yoga is slower and subtler; it tones and supports the muscle so the area looks lifted over time, at no cost and with no needles. They’re not mutually exclusive. If your folds are deep and you want a quick change, a cosmetic professional is the right call, and face yoga can help maintain the result.
How long until you see a difference
Expect subtle softening from around 8 to 12 weeks of near-daily practice, more for deep folds. Because you’re rebuilding cheek support, progress is gradual. Consistency and the cheek focus are what make it work.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between marionette lines and nasolabial folds?
Nasolabial folds run from the nose to the mouth corners and are normal; marionette lines run from the mouth corners down to the chin and are more about sagging. The same routine helps both.
Can face yoga get rid of marionette lines?
It can soften them and slow their progression by toning and lifting the cheeks and mouth area. Deep, established lines respond partially rather than disappearing.
Does sleeping position cause these lines?
It can contribute. Sleeping on your side or stomach presses and creases the face repeatedly; sleeping on your back avoids that pressure.
Face yoga or fillers, which is better?
Fillers are faster and stronger for deep folds; face yoga is natural, free and better for prevention and mild softening. Many people use both.
How long until I see results?
Around 8 to 12 weeks of consistent practice for subtle softening, longer for deep folds.
Want a routine that targets your lines correctly?
Because the fix is really about lifting your cheeks, getting the technique right matters. In a one-on-one online session I’ll assess your mid-face and build you a routine that works from the right place. Online, Australia-wide.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice.