Mouth lines, marionette lines, double chin: how much can ONDA lifting change?

Why do mouth lines, marionette lines, and a double chin appear together?

Mouth lines, marionette lines, and a double chin may look like separate problems, but their causes overlap. With age, the fat pads of the cheeks and jawline move downward, and the supporting ligaments and skin that held them weaken too. Cheek fat then pools beside the mouth corners, deepening the marionette lines that run from the mouth corners to the chin, and the jawline looks broken and uneven.

Something similar happens under the chin. When subcutaneous fat builds up or the skin loosens, the border between chin and neck blurs even without bowing your head. Habitual use of the muscles that pull the mouth corners down, weight changes, and sun damage also speed up changes in the lower face.

The key point is that even with the same "sagging lower face," the main cause differs from person to person. The right treatment depends on whether there is excess fat, loose skin, lost volume, or a small bone structure.

Which parts of the lower face does ONDA lifting address?

ONDA lifting mainly addresses unnecessary fat volume and loose skin. Because ONDA's microwaves are well absorbed by the fat layer, the deep handpiece can concentrate heat in the fat under the chin, below the jawline, and beside the mouth corners. The shallow handpiece heats the dermis to support collagen regeneration and skin tightening.

In the lower face, we split these two handpieces by area. Under the chin and below the jawline, where fat is thick, we give ample energy with the deep handpiece. Near the mouth, where the skin is thin, we work carefully, mainly with the shallow handpiece. Before treatment, we check fat thickness by zone with ultrasound when needed and distribute the energy accordingly.

ONDA lifting does not directly lift the sagging SMAS layer. The jawline looks neater because the volume that weighed down the lower face decreases and the skin tightens.

Does ONDA work differently depending on the type of double chin?

The effect of ONDA lifting varies greatly with the type of double chin. A fat-type double chin, where you can pinch a thick layer of soft fat under the chin, is the case ONDA suits best.

In a laxity-type double chin, where thin, loose skin folds like a wrinkle, reducing fat alone may not be enough. In this case, we also plan Xerf or Ulthera, which address the firmness of the skin and the SMAS layer.

When a double chin comes from a receding chin or a short chin bone, treating fat and skin brings only limited change. In such cases, we explain honestly what can be expected before treatment and may also discuss filler to add volume to the chin.

• Fat type: soft and thick when pinched → mainly ONDA
• Laxity type: thin skin that sags and folds → ONDA + Xerf or Ulthera
• Bone type: short or receding chin → limited effect from ONDA; consider chin filler and other options

Can ONDA also soften marionette lines and mouth lines?

If marionette lines are caused by cheek fat pooled beside the mouth corners, you can expect them to soften with ONDA lifting. As the volume sitting on top of the fold decreases, the area beside the mouth corners looks lighter and the edge of the fold stands out less.

On the other hand, if there is little fat and the marionette line is a groove caused by lost volume, reducing fat further with ONDA can make the mouth area look more hollow. In this case, filler to fill the groove comes first. For this area, where facial expressions and chewing forces constantly act, Serene Clinic mainly uses Neuvia filler, which has high cohesiveness and holds the designed shape well.

Fine surface lines such as thin vertical lines around the lips are not the main target of ONDA lifting. Injectable treatments such as the Gouri fine-line eraser injection, which gradually increases skin thickness, are often a better fit.

Who is ONDA lifting not suitable for?

ONDA lifting may not suit faces where the cheeks and mouth area are already hollow and there is little fat. Because it reduces fat, volume may look even more depleted. This is why, even within the same face, we give ample energy under the chin and distribute it conservatively beside the mouth corners and on the front of the cheeks.

If you have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, are pregnant, or have a metal implant in the treatment area, whether to treat must be assessed separately. If you have filler or threads in your face, please tell us the timing and location in advance.

After treatment, there may be brief redness and warmth, and some people feel soreness or swelling under the chin for a few days. Rarely, blisters, burns, or temporary reduced sensation can occur, so please contact us right away if you notice anything unusual.

How many sessions are needed, and how long does it last?

ONDA lifting usually starts with one session, and whether to add more is decided after seeing the change over 1–3 months. A thick fat-type double chin is sometimes treated in 2–3 sessions about 4 weeks apart, but rather than fixing the number of sessions from the start, we decide based on your response.

Changes in fat volume appear gradually over weeks to months rather than right after treatment. Reduced volume tends to last relatively long, but if you gain weight or aging progresses, the lower face can become heavy again. How long it lasts varies widely with weight changes, skin thickness, and lifestyle.

How is it divided with other lifting treatments?

A sagging lower face rarely has just one cause, so we plan by dividing roles among devices. Xerf and Ulthera handle the position of sagging tissue, ONDA handles unnecessary volume, and OPUS handles the firmness and texture of the skin itself.

For example, if fat under the chin and sagging of the jawline appear together, we may perform ONDA lifting with Xerf or Ulthera on the same day. The principle of ONDA lifting and aftercare are covered in more detail in the related columns below.

Prices (as of the October 2026 menu)

The energy needed depends on whether only the lower face or the whole face is treated and on fat thickness, so it is decided after consultation.

Frequently asked questions