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Nasolabial folds are two deep wrinkles or lines which run from each side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. They are very common but can vary in severity from person to person.
Tagged: Anti - Ageing
Date: 16th December 2020
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Susan Mayou (GMC: 2405092)
Last reviewed: 13th February 2024
Smile lines, or nasolabial folds or laughter lines, are two deep wrinkles or lines which run from each side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Smile lines are a natural facial feature that are commonly associated with facial expressions, such as smiling and laughing, and comprise a normal anatomical facial feature.
Smile lines are very common and tend to become more obvious with age as skin laxity increases in the lower face. Smile lines vary in severity from person to person, with several lifestyle factors such as sun exposure and smoking particularly associated with deepening smile lines. Losing or gaining a lot of weight can also cause them to worsen.
Many people are bothered by the development of laughter lines and decide to have treatment to make their nasolabial folds look less prominent. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular options, with a particular emphasis on dermal fillers and surgical face lifts.
Smile lines are caused by changes to the skin, fat and connective tissues in and around the mouth area that typically develop with age as the skin loses its elasticity and collagen. Losing these makes the skin thinner and more prone to forming wrinkles and lines all over the face, including the mouth area.
Other key factors that cause smile lines are genetic predisposition toward developing laugh lines and exposure to several key lifestyle factors that impact this region of the face. Prolonged exposure to UV rays of the sun accelerates ageing by catalysing the breakdown of collagen and elastin, as do the chemicals in tobacco smoke, leading to the premature development of smile lines.
Loss of facial fat in the cheek area results in a loss of volume and support for sagging skin and the increase of creases and folds in the nasolabial area. This can be exacerbated by rapid weight loss or gain, making the condition worse.
As hinted in the name, smile lines are also closely linked to facial expressions and the repetitive contraction of the facial muscles around the mouth. The muscles around the mouth, mainly the orbicularis oris, zygomaticus major, and levator labii superioris, are all involved in facial expressions like smiling and speaking. Over time, the repetitive stress on these muscles, in combination with increased skin laxity and loss of fat, causes smile or laugh lines to form.
It's essential to understand that the precise relationship between all of these causal factors and the formation of laugh lines is not fully known and varies from person to person. One can maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle, including other elements known to promote good skin health, such as proper hydration, a nutritious diet, and diligent skincare practices, yet still develop smile lines simply with the onset of age.
As such, many people turn toward cosmetic smile line treatments to eliminate their smile lines and get rid of them permanently.
There are several different treatments for reducing or eliminating smile lines including dermal fillers, skin tightening and surgery.
Some of the most popular treatments to reduce smile lines include:
To find out what the best smile line treatment is for you, it is important to seek independent medical advice. Get in touch with our team of world class aesthetic surgeons today.
Getting rid of smile lines fast is a challenging task, because these lines are typically a natural part of facial expression and aging.
For fast, significant and lasting changes for getting rid of smile lines surgical procedures typically represent the best treatment option.
There are 4 main surgeries employed to get rid of smile lines:
As with any elective cosmetic surgery, these invasive procedures require sedation and meaningful downtime. For those looking for something quicker, effective and with less downtime non surgical alternatives may be preferred.
Dermal fillers (“Laugh line fillers”) are quick, injectable treatments which are very popular with those seeking a swift, non-surgical solution for ageing skin and looking to remove smile lines. The active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is naturally found in the skin, tendons and muscles of humans and, therefore, naturally combats an array of natural ageing symptoms.
Dermal fillers for smile lines are a popular ‘gateway’ treatment to remove smile lines as they are not permanent and are not as invasive an option as surgery. Upfront costs are also lower than more invasive options such as face lifts and fat transfer. Dermal fillers are, therefore, an intuitive first step on the journey to remove smile lines.
There are many different types of temporary dermal fillers for smile lines. At the Cadogan Clinic, we only use Juvederm and Restylane, two industry leading filler products with millions of users worldwide.
At the Cadogan Clinic, we only use temporary or 'resorbable' fillers based on naturally occurring hyaluronic acid that dissolves over time, as these are the safest and lower the risk of any long term side effects.
Dermal fillers for smile lines can be applied in just 10 to 15 minutes. There is no need for an anaesthetic, and those who have laugh line fillers can immediately return to work or their daily routine. No recovery time is needed following dermal filler smile line treatment.
Some people believe that facial exercises can get rid of nasolabial folds. You should treat such claims with caution, and pursue medical advice and medical treatment if you want to have any real effect on the appearance of these stubborn folds.
Are smile lines unattractive?
Nasolabial folds are not necessarily unattractive. That said, nasolabial folds can pull at the corners of the mouth and change a persons natural resting facial expression, sometimes in unwanted ways e.g. into a scowl.
If smile lines are uneven or smile lines are deep, they can make a person look many years older than they actually are, which is also a cause for frustration for many individuals.
Where can I see smile line fillers before and after photos?
You can see some examples of smile line before and after photos on our dermal filler treatment page.
Treatments mentioned in this article
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