Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) Treatment

Smile lines can become permanent over time, as they deepen from ageing and loss of skin elasticity. While you may not be able to always eradicate smile lines completely, you can reduce them with aesthetic treatments and skincare.

Typically, 9 to 18 months, depending on the filler used. Touch-up treatments can help maintain results.

Most treatments are tolerated well by patients. They often describe the experience as slightly uncomfortable but not painful.

Prevention isn’t always 100% possible, but you can definitely slow down the ageing process with:

• Sun protection: Daily SPF remains your best anti-ageing investment.
• Hydration: Well-moisturised skin resists fine lines better.
• Healthy sleep habits: Skin repairs itself during sleep.
• Medical skincare: Products containing retinoids, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamin C can support collagen production.
• Prejuvenation treatments: Non-invasive procedures, such as laser- or ultrasound-based skin tightening, can help maintain facial structure before significant ageing occurs.

While these personal methods are helpful, we also offer in-clinic solutions for those concerned about more extensive nasolabial folds.

Most treatments have minimal downtime. You may experience some mild redness, swelling, or tenderness, but these effects usually subside within a few days. 

I promise you: smiling does not cause smile lines. If anything, the world could use more smiles!

Smile lines form because of your bone structure, genetics, and how your skin responds to ageing. While repetitive facial movements such as smiling may temporarily accentuate the fold, they’re not the root cause of permanent lines. The folds tend to become etched deeper into the skin as the underlying support structures weaken with time.

So no, you don’t need to stop smiling to prevent smile lines. And if any article tells you otherwise, close that tab immediately.

Chewing gum won’t reduce smile lines. Excessive repetitive motion from chewing might contribute slightly to muscle overactivity around the mouth over many years, but this isn’t the main culprit behind nasolabial folds.

You may have seen influencers promoting silicone smile line patches that claim to smooth out these folds overnight. Do they work?

Well, yes and no. These patches can help temporarily hydrate and smooth superficial fine lines by preventing skin creasing while you sleep, much like silicone scar sheets. They create an occlusive barrier that locks in moisture and reduces skin folding for short-term benefits.

However, they don’t address the underlying structural causes of smile lines—things like fat loss, collagen depletion, or tissue sagging. So, while they’re harmless as part of your skincare routine, they’re not a substitute for proper in-clinic treatments if you’re looking for more noticeable, long-term improvement.

It’s perfectly okay to seek help if you’re developing deeper folds earlier than expected, as this may indicate changes in facial volume or skin quality that could benefit from early treatment. Also, if your folds are starting to appear asymmetrical, it can sometimes reflect imbalances in facial structure that are worth evaluating professionally.

When skincare and lifestyle changes aren’t improving things as much as you’d hoped, we can help guide you towards more effective in-clinic options. And, of course, if you’re feeling self-conscious or bothered by the way your smile lines look, seeking professional advice is entirely valid and empowering.

Smile lines aren’t dangerous, but there’s no harm in getting a personalised assessment if they bother you. Often, early intervention gives better, more natural-looking results.