How to Treat Smile Lines?

As we age, we may start to notice some pesky smile lines—sometimes superficial, sometimes deeper. But let’s get one thing straight right away: smile lines are completely natural. In fact, even babies have them.

Over time, years of happiness, laughter, and facial expression combined with the natural loss of collagen and volumecause these lines to become more noticeable. What once appeared only when we smiled can eventually become etched into the skin at rest. And just like that… smile lines appear.

Why Do Smile Lines Form?

Smile lines (also known as nasolabial folds) can develop for a few different reasons:

• Volume loss in the cheeks
  The cheeks help support the skin around the mouth. When we lose volume here, the skin can begin to fold inward, deepening smile lines.

• Bone resorption around the nose
  As we age, we also lose bone support—especially in the area beside the nose, known as the piriform aperture. This structural loss can contribute to deeper nasolabial folds.

• Collagen loss and repeated expression
  Superficial smile lines are often caused by thinning skin, reduced collagen, and years of repeated facial movement.

Understanding the cause of your smile lines is key, because treatment should be tailored to what’s really happening beneath the surface.

How Can We Treat Smile Lines?

Treatment options range from least invasive to more invasive, depending on the depth and cause of the lines.

For superficial smile lines (texture and collagen loss):

• Medical-grade topical retinol

• Microneedling, with or without PRF

• PRP or PRF injections to stimulate collagen and improve skin quality

These treatments focus on strengthening the skin itself and softening fine lines over time.

For deeper smile lines caused by volume or structural loss:

• Addressing cheek volume loss

• Treating piriform deficiency

• In some cases, dermal filler may be used as a last resort to restore support and soften deeper folds

The Takeaway

Smile lines are not a flaw—they’re a sign of a life well lived. The goal isn’t to erase them completely, but to restore balance, support, and skin health in a way that still looks natural.