Smile lines come with the territory of living your life: smiling, laughing and, yes, aging. For some people, they’re part of the charm. For others, they’re something they’d rather soften. The good news is there’s no one-size-fits-all way to treat them. From subtle surface tweaks to more intensive treatments that target deeper folds, there are plenty of options to address what you want.
Ahead, we tapped two dermatologists to break down the most-requested treatments for smile lines.
Featured Experts
- Steven Curti, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, CA
- Lauren Moy, MD is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Rodeo Derm in Beverly Hills
What Causes Smile Lines?
Nasolabial folds—often referred to as smile lines—are a natural part of facial movement. “They’re formed when we animate the face, whether that’s talking, smiling or a general change in expression,” says Alto, CA facial plastic surgeon Steven Curti, MD. While they’re always present, they tend to become more noticeable over time as the skin and underlying facial structure change.
According to Beverly Hills, CA surgeon Lauren Moy, MD, smile lines develop due to a combination of muscular insertions in the dermis and changes in the skin’s elasticity and subcutaneous fat. “Paired with repeated facial expressions that create mechanical stress, the skin around the nose and mouth will fold over time,” she says. Environmental factors, such as sun exposure and lifestyle habits, can further accelerate the process.
While smile lines are often thought of as a hallmark of aging, Dr. Curti notes they’re more accurately a reflection of how the face evolves with time. With that framing, treatment goals tend to focus on softening lines for a natural-looking result rather than trying to erase them altogether. “Smile lines are a natural part of expression that benefit from conservative treatments rather than aggressive correction,” he adds.
Best In-Office Treatments for Smile Lines
Fillers
When used thoughtfully, fillers around the nose and mouth can be an effective way to soften smile lines. “Boosting the volume in these areas helps support the cheeks and midface, which naturally softens smile lines,” says Dr. Curti.
The key, he notes, is restraint. His pro tip for achieving the most natural-looking result is to use fillers sparingly and with precision. “By placing a small amount in the fold and only when necessary, you’ll avoid unnatural puffiness and maintain facial harmony,” he says.
Neuromodulators
Neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport are best known for smoothing fine lines and helping prevent new wrinkles, but they can also soften nasolabial folds. “Subtle dosing of neuromodulators can help reduce excessive muscle tension,” says Dr. Curti. While they won’t replace lost volume in the area, carefully placed injections can help slow the deepening of smile lines over time.
Morpheus8
Morpheus8 combines microneedling and radiofrequency to stimulate collagen production and encourage new fiber formation. According to Dr. Moy, it can also help improve epidermal thickness, collagen fiber content and skin elasticity. For best results, she recommends pairing Morpheus8 with a fractional laser, which targets surface-level lines and texture—allowing providers to address both deeper laxity and fine lines.
Chemical Peels & Lasers
For superficial lines, skin-quality treatments like chemical peels can be especially effective, improving texture while boosting collagen production. “These treatments are ideal for fine lines around the mouth that appear etched into the skin as opposed to deep-set wrinkles,” says Dr. Curti. Laser resurfacing works in a similar way but can deliver more advanced results, particularly for texture concerns.
