What Are Nasolabial Folds and How to Treat Them

We’ve all heard of them: smile lines, laugh lines, those familiar creases that run from the side of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. They’re a completely natural part of your facial anatomy, a beautiful map of a life filled with expression and joy.

Your Guide to Understanding Smile Lines

It’s so important to see these lines not as imperfections, but as a living part of your story. Think of it like a piece of paper that’s been folded in the same spot time and again. With every smile and laugh you share, that gentle crease is reinforced. It’s a sign of a life well-lived.

As the years go by, the underlying support structure of your skin naturally evolves, and these folds can become more permanent. This happens to all of us, and understanding why it's happening is the first real step towards making choices about your appearance that feel right for you.

The Anatomy of a Smile Line

So, what’s actually going on beneath the surface of your skin? Nasolabial folds aren't wrinkles in the way you might think of them. They are more like anatomical landmarks, marking the border between two key facial structures:

• The muscles around your upper lip and cheeks: These are the engines of every expression you make.

• The natural fat pads in your cheeks: These give your face its youthful volume and soft contours.

When you're younger, those fat pads are plump and sit high on your cheekbones, keeping the skin taut and smooth. The folds might appear briefly when you grin, but they disappear just as quickly. As you get older, shifts in this foundational structure cause the folds to become visible even when your face is perfectly still.

Practical Insight: Embracing your facial anatomy is empowering. When you can move beyond seeing ‘lines’ and start understanding the beautiful, complex structure that makes your face unique, you're in a much better position to decide on any aesthetic treatment. This knowledge is your greatest asset.

A Common and Natural Concern

If you've started to feel your smile lines are more prominent than they used to be, you are far from alone. Here in the United Kingdom, nasolabial folds are one of the most common reasons people seek advice about facial ageing, often being the first change they notice in the mirror.

While some of us might see them developing in our late 20s, it’s more typical for them to become more defined from our mid-30s onwards. For a deeper dive, you can learn more about the causes and treatment options for nasolabial folds.

Why Your Smile Lines Become More Noticeable

Ever wondered why those lines around your mouth seem to have deepened over time? It’s a story that’s completely unique to you, written by your facial structure, your genetics, and the life you’ve lived. It's never just one thing, but a fascinating mix of factors that shapes how you look as you get older.

At the very heart of it all are two proteins you’ve likely heard of: collagen and elastin. Think of them as your skin's support system – the very scaffolding that keeps everything looking firm, full, and youthful. The catch is, from your mid-20s onwards, your body naturally starts producing less of them.

When this happens, your skin loses some of its bounce-back. It’s a perfectly normal, universal part of ageing. As that internal support network softens, your skin doesn’t snap back into place as easily after you smile or laugh, which allows those temporary expression lines to gradually set in for good.

It’s Not Just a Line, It’s a Loss of Support

Here’s something many people don’t realise: a big part of the story actually starts higher up, in your cheeks. That lovely, youthful fullness we have in our mid-face comes from fat pads that sit right on top of our cheekbones, propping everything up. As the years go by, these pads can slowly lose volume and shift downwards.

This is a game-changer for how your nasolabial folds look. Without that firm, high support from the cheeks, the skin starts to gently sag, casting a shadow that makes the fold from nose to mouth appear much deeper. So, when you look in the mirror, remember that what you're seeing isn't just about the line itself, but the changing contours of your whole mid-face.

Practical Insight: “Understanding that smile lines are often a symptom of volume loss in the cheeks, not just a crease to be filled, is a true lightbulb moment for my clients. Restoring that gentle support to the mid-face is what creates the most beautifully natural and refreshed results.”

Your Personal Blueprint: Genes, Sun, and Lifestyle

Beyond the natural ageing process, your own story is shaped by a set of factors that are completely personal to you. Think of it as your unique blueprint for how your skin matures.

• Your Genetics: The bone structure and skin type you inherited from your parents can mean you're more likely to develop deeper folds, and perhaps a bit earlier. You can’t change your genes, but knowing this helps you be proactive with your skincare.

• Sun Exposure: This is the big one. All those sunny holidays and afternoons in the garden add up. UV rays are the primary culprits for breaking down precious collagen and elastin, speeding up the entire ageing process.

• Significant Weight Changes: Big shifts in your weight can affect the facial fat pads, changing the volume in your face and contributing to skin laxity.

• Lifestyle Habits: Things like smoking have a real impact. It constricts the tiny blood vessels in your skin, starving it of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to repair itself and stay healthy.

When you start to see how all these pieces fit together, it brings so much clarity. You can move past just seeing a "wrinkle" and begin to appreciate the wonderfully complex structure that makes your face uniquely yours.

How Professional Treatments Can Soften Smile Lines

When you decide it’s time to soften your smile lines, the goal is never to erase your story. It’s about gently refreshing your appearance, restoring a little lost volume, and smoothing the contours of your face so you look as vibrant and energetic as you feel. It's all about achieving a natural, beautiful result that lets your confidence shine through.

The journey from a faint expression line to a more noticeable fold is a gradual one, influenced by ageing, volume loss, and even your daily habits. Thankfully, professional treatments are designed to counteract these very effects, giving back the support your skin has lost over the years.

The Artistry of Dermal Fillers

By far, the most popular and effective way to address nasolabial folds is with dermal fillers. The key is to stop thinking of them as something that just "fills a line." A much better way to see it is as a treatment that restores your skin's underlying support system. It’s like placing a soft, subtle cushion right back where volume has naturally diminished.

Most of the advanced dermal fillers we use today are made from hyaluronic acid (HA). This is a sugar molecule your own body produces to keep your skin plump and hydrated. When an experienced practitioner places HA fillers, they blend seamlessly into your tissue, giving a gentle lift that beautifully softens the fold from within.

The results can be truly inspiring. It’s not about creating a "puffy" or unnatural look. Instead, a skilled practitioner often uses fillers to rebalance your entire mid-face, sometimes by adding a touch of volume back to your cheeks. This clever technique lifts the whole area, which in turn reduces the shadow cast by the nasolabial fold, leaving you looking rested and authentically refreshed. To learn more about the products we trust, take a look at our complete guide to Restylane dermal fillers.

Practical Insight: A beautifully executed treatment is one that nobody notices. Friends might simply say you look well-rested or wonderfully refreshed, without ever being able to pinpoint what’s changed. That is the art of subtle, confidence-boosting aesthetics.

Rejuvenating Your Skin from Within

While fillers are fantastic for restoring lost volume, other treatments work on a different principle: improving your skin's own power to regenerate. These therapies essentially encourage your body to produce brand-new collagen, the very protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity.

Here are a couple of powerful options:

• Microneedling: This treatment uses tiny, sterile needles to create micro-channels in the skin. This controlled process kicks your body’s natural healing response into high gear, flooding the area with new collagen and elastin that helps firm the skin and soften lines over time.

• Laser Resurfacing: By using focused light energy, laser treatments can remove the outer, damaged layers of skin while gently heating the deeper layers. This stimulates significant collagen remodelling, leading to smoother, tighter skin and a less prominent fold.

Below is a table comparing some of the most popular non-surgical options we offer here at the clinic.

Comparing Popular Nasolabial Fold Treatments

Treatment	How It Works	Best For	Average Duration of Results
Dermal Fillers (HA)	Injects hyaluronic acid to restore lost volume and provide structural support beneath the skin.	Moderate to deep folds caused by volume loss in the mid-face; offers immediate results.	9-18 months
Microneedling	Creates micro-injuries to stimulate the body's natural collagen and elastin production.	Early or fine lines; improving overall skin texture and firmness. Best results after a series of treatments.	3-6 months after final session
Laser Resurfacing	Uses focused light energy to remove damaged outer skin layers and heat deeper layers, promoting collagen remodelling.	Fine lines and skin laxity; improving skin tone and texture for a comprehensive rejuvenation.	Can be long-lasting with proper skincare

Each of these treatments offers a unique path to rejuvenation, and the best one for you depends entirely on your individual anatomy and what you want to achieve.

And the science backs this up. Clinical data from the UK has confirmed just how effective these approaches are, especially with fillers. One study showed a dramatic improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe nasolabial folds within the first month. The baseline severity score dropped from 3.23 down to 1.79, and these fantastic results were still well-maintained a full year later.

Ultimately, these treatments are incredible tools. In the right hands, they can help you feel like the very best version of yourself—confident, radiant, and ready to face the world with a smile you love.

What to Expect During Your Treatment Journey

Taking that first step towards refreshing your appearance should be exciting, not intimidating. Think of this as your personal roadmap to the entire process at our Maidenhead clinic. We’re here to make sure you feel understood, confident, and supported from our very first chat all the way through to enjoying your beautiful, natural-looking results. This journey is all about you.

Your experience starts with a warm, in-depth consultation. This isn't a sales pitch; it's a genuine conversation where we listen to your story and what you’d like to achieve. We'll explore your unique facial anatomy, discuss your concerns about nasolabial folds, and co-create a treatment plan that feels absolutely right for you.

Your Dermal Filler Procedure Step by Step

Knowing what to expect on the day can make all the difference, helping you feel relaxed and at ease. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities, and the procedure itself is surprisingly straightforward, usually taking just 15 to 30 minutes.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how your appointment will unfold:

1. Preparation: First, we’ll gently and thoroughly cleanse the treatment area. Then, we apply a high-strength topical numbing cream to your skin, which works wonders to make the treatment as comfortable as possible.

2. The Injections: Using an ultra-fine needle or a delicate cannula, your practitioner will skillfully and precisely place the dermal filler. The premium fillers we use often contain a local anaesthetic, adding another layer of comfort during the process.

3. Final Touches: Once the injections are complete, we’ll gently massage the area. This helps the filler settle beautifully and integrate seamlessly with your own tissue, ensuring a smooth, natural finish.

Practical Insight: The goal is always a result that looks and feels like you, just refreshed. We’re softening shadows and restoring support, not erasing the unique character of your smile. You should walk out feeling rejuvenated, never "done."

After Your Treatment: Downtime and Results

One of the real joys of dermal filler treatments is how little they interrupt your life. Most of our clients head straight back to their usual activities. It is, however, completely normal to experience a few mild and temporary side effects as the filler settles in.

You might see a little bit of swelling, feel some tenderness, or notice slight redness around the injection sites. This is all part of your body's response and typically fades on its own within a few days. Bruising can happen too, but our careful technique and your aftercare can help keep it to a minimum. For a complete picture, our practical guide to dermal filler side effects offers more detailed advice.

The best part? The results are instant. You’ll see a definite softening of your nasolabial folds before you even leave the clinic. Over the next two weeks, the hyaluronic acid filler will fully settle, drawing in moisture and unveiling the final, beautifully smooth and hydrated outcome. To keep you looking and feeling your best, we’ll create a simple maintenance plan, helping your confidence shine for months to come.

At-Home Strategies to Complement Your Results

Professional treatments are fantastic for restoring volume and boosting your confidence, but what you do every day at home truly makes the difference. Your daily habits are the secret to protecting that investment, making your beautiful results last, and looking after your skin's health for the long run.

Think of it as your personal toolkit for keeping that radiant, refreshed glow. Building a consistent routine empowers you to take control of your skin's journey. Simple, dedicated steps can make a remarkable difference, supporting your skin’s structure and vitality and helping to prevent nasolabial folds from deepening prematurely.

Your Skincare Power Players

A targeted skincare routine is your first line of defence. It’s about so much more than a quick cleanse; it’s about feeding your skin the exact ingredients it needs to stay resilient, firm, and healthy. Adding a few powerhouse actives into the mix can seriously enhance and extend the effects of your clinical treatments.

Here are the essentials to have in your skincare arsenal:

• Retinoids (like Retinol): These are the undisputed champions of skin renewal. They work by speeding up your cell turnover and firing up collagen production, which visibly improves skin texture and firmness over time.

• Vitamin C: This is a brilliant antioxidant that acts like a shield, protecting your skin from daily environmental damage. It’s also crucial for synthesising new collagen and brightens your whole complexion for that healthy, lit-from-within radiance.

• Hyaluronic Acid: Just like the hyaluronic acid in our fillers, a topical serum helps your skin grab onto and lock in moisture. This keeps your skin plump, hydrated, and supple, which beautifully softens the appearance of any fine lines.

Practical Insight: Your skincare routine is an act of daily self-care. It’s a quiet moment to nourish your skin and a powerful way to support the beautiful results you’ve achieved, ensuring your confidence shines through day after day.

The Ultimate Anti-Ageing Habit

If there’s one step you should never, ever skip, it’s sun protection. Sun exposure is, without a doubt, the number one cause of premature ageing. Those UV rays actively break down the precious collagen and elastin that give your skin its firmness and bounce.

Making a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher a daily habit—yes, even on those cloudy Maidenhead days—is the single most effective thing you can do. It's your best defence against lines getting deeper and the best way to preserve the integrity of your skin. For a closer look at smoothing your complexion, take a look at our guide on effective ways to reduce fine lines and achieve smoother skin.

Of course, simple lifestyle choices play a massive role too. Staying well-hydrated, eating a diet packed with colourful fruits and vegetables, and avoiding habits like smoking will support your skin’s health from the inside out. This creates a foundation of vitality that makes any treatment look even better.

Your Questions, Answered

Starting any new aesthetic treatment is a big step, and it’s natural to have questions. In fact, we encourage it! It means you’re taking a thoughtful approach to your care. To help you feel completely at ease, we’ve put together some of the most common questions we hear from our clients here in Maidenhead.

Are Nasolabial Fold Treatments Painful?

This is usually the first thing people ask, and we’re always happy to put their minds at rest. Your comfort is our top priority, and most of our clients tell us they feel very little during the procedure.

We start by applying a strong topical numbing cream to the area to make sure you're comfortable from the get-go. On top of that, the premium dermal fillers we use are mixed with a local anaesthetic, lidocaine, which numbs the area from the inside out as we work. You might feel a tiny pinch or a bit of pressure, but it's a very manageable experience. Any tenderness afterwards is typically mild and settles down quickly.

How Long Do Fillers for Smile Lines Last?

You can expect the lovely, softening results from your dermal filler treatment to last anywhere from 9 to 18 months. It's a bit of a range because everyone is different.

Your own metabolism, your age, lifestyle factors, and the specific filler we choose for you all have a part to play in the longevity of your results. When you come in for your consultation, we’ll give you a clearer idea of what to expect and map out a simple maintenance plan to keep you looking and feeling your best.

Practical Insight: The most inspiring results are those that honour your natural beauty. Our philosophy is to soften, not erase. We aim for a refreshed, authentic look that makes you feel like the very best version of yourself—confident and radiant.

Can Skincare Creams Really Get Rid of Nasolabial Folds?

A consistent, high-quality skincare routine is non-negotiable for healthy, glowing skin. It can definitely help to soften the appearance of fine lines over time. But when it comes to deeper nasolabial folds, creams and serums just can’t get the job done on their own.

The issue with these folds is that they’re caused by a loss of volume and structural support deep beneath the skin’s surface. A topical product simply can't penetrate that far. While an ingredient like retinol can improve your skin's texture and make the lines look a little less prominent, you really need a professional treatment like dermal fillers to restore that foundational support and achieve a significant, natural-looking improvement.

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At YOUTHFUL REVIVAL, our passion is helping you celebrate your unique beauty with treatments that deliver subtle, confidence-boosting results. If you’re curious about how we can soften your smile lines and leave you feeling wonderfully refreshed, we'd love to chat. Book a consultation at our Maidenhead clinic and let's discover your path to renewed confidence. Visit us at https://www.youthfulrevival.com.