What should you know about fine smile lines?

Smile lines, or nasolabial folds, run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth. They are part of normal facial movement and may become more visible as skin elasticity changes or as the cheeks and midface provide less support. Facial Volume Loss can contribute, but the fold's appearance is not determined by volume alone; skin texture, anatomy, expression, and genetics also matter.

The fold may look deeper when you smile and softer when your face is relaxed. A clinician assesses the whole face rather than treating only the visible crease, because changing nearby support can affect balance and expression.

Use sunscreen, moisturiser, and gentle cleansing to protect the skin surface. These measures support skin health but cannot fully change a fold created by facial structure. Avoid choosing a procedure from a photograph alone; an in-person assessment helps identify whether the main issue is skin quality, movement, or support.

Depending on the examination and your preferences, discussion may include Dermal Fillers, a Collagen Biostimulator Injection, or a Thread Lift. Fillers add temporary volume in selected areas, biostimulators aim to encourage the body's own collagen response, and thread lifts use placed threads to provide a lifting effect. Each has different risks, recovery, and suitability.

Seek medical advice if a facial change appears suddenly, is one-sided, or comes with weakness, numbness, severe pain, swelling, or difficulty speaking. For gradual lines without neurological or inflammatory symptoms, a routine consultation is suitable when you want assessment or treatment information.

Ask what is creating the fold in your face, whether volume restoration is appropriate, and how the proposed treatment could affect your features at rest and during smiling. Discuss the material or device, recovery, warning signs, and what happens if you decide not to repeat treatment later.