Do smile lines put a frown on your face? Also known as ‘laugh lines’, smile lines are creases that develop from the corners of your nose down to the corners of your mouth. This is a natural sign of aging, but it can also be a confidence buster for many.
If you’re also one of those who are getting frustrated over their smile lines, Pure Skin Laser Center is here to help! In this post, we discussed how to remove smile lines, what causes them, and what we can do for you. Keep reading to see the options you can explore!
What are smile lines?
Smile lines are also called ‘laugh lines’ or ‘nasolabial lines’. This crease extends from the sides of the nose down to the mouth, which gets deeper as we age.
However, some factors may cause the early development of these wrinkles, which we discussed in a separate section below.
In general, smile lines form from repetitive facial expressions combined with the gradual decrease of your skin’s elasticity associated with age. Such a decline in skin elasticity is caused by our body’s reduced ability to produce enough collagen to keep up with the repair process.
But can smile lines go away on its own? Just like any wrinkles and fine lines, your laugh lines are here to stay. It’s a sign of aging that you can wear proudly, but if it’s ruining your confidence, you can always explore various methods to get rid of smile lines.
How do you get smile lines?
Nasolabial lines are due to a variety of things. So, why do I have smile lines? Here are some of the most common causes of deep smile lines for both men and women:
- Aging. Once we reach our 20s and 30s, our bodies’ collagen production decreases by 1% for each year that follows. And by the time we hit our 40s, our skin’s elasticity will dwindle even more, leading to the formation of wrinkles, including the dreaded laugh lines.
- Repetitive facial expressions. Our skin isn’t immune to the universal concept of wear and tear. Smiling, talking, and other facial expressions lead to the formation of dynamic wrinkles, which could eventually become static.
- Sun damage. Sun exposure is your skin’s enemy number one. The harmful UV rays cause photoaging, which weakens the skin’ and triggers premature wrinkles.
- Changes in weight. Losing a lot of weight will leave your facial skin saggy, which will make your facial lines more visible. And if you gain more weight, your cheeks will be plump, which also accentuates your laugh lines.
- Smoking. Tobacco smoke has over 200 harmful chemicals that are dangerous not only for your lungs but also for your skin. In fact, a 2019 study found that nasolabial folds are deeper among smokers.
- Dehydration. Dehydration will directly impact your skin health, making it dry and prone to wrinkling. This alone should be enough to make you take a large sip!
- Sleep deprivation. Sleep is our bodies’ way of regenerating and repairing. But if you’re not clocking in at least 7 hours a night, you’re bound to develop deep wrinkles, especially in the nasolabial area.
5 methods on how to get rid of smile lines
Knowing how to remove smile lines has gotten easier nowadays, thanks to the advanced treatments available in medical spas like ours.
Unlike facelifts or fat grafting, there are non-surgical smile line treatments that you can consider. These procedures let you remove smile lines without long downtime.
So, how can I get rid of smile lines? At Pure Skin Laser Center, here’s how we can reduce smile lines and ‘erase’ years off your face without going under the knife:
1. Botox
When clients ask us how to reduce smile lines, one of our first recommendations is always Botox injections. Botox is a derivative of the botulinum toxin, which is purified for various cosmetic and medical purposes.
Nowadays, face Botox is widely known as the ‘wrinkle eraser’. Once injected to your smile lines, or any facial wrinkle, it will relax the muscles and prevent it from contracting and creating deep creases.
By targeting your nasolabial folds, we can reduce the appearance of your smile lines with about 5 to 10 Botox units. The actual dosage depends on the depth of your wrinkle and your desired results, which will be discussed during the consultation before we start the procedure.
For most smile lines treatments, our session usually lasts for about 20 to 30 minutes. Also, you’ll enjoy your youthful smile for about 3 to 4 months, but you can always sustain the results with touch-up injections.
Aside from smile lines Botox, we also offer this treatment for the chin, jaw, lips, forehead, eye area, neck, and full-face slimming. All our Botox treatments are suitable for both ladies and gents who want to eliminate their facial wrinkles temporarily!
If you want to know more about how to get rid of laugh lines with our Botox injections, contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center to schedule a consultation in North Hollywood!
2. Facial fillers
Do you have static laugh lines or those that stay visible even if you’re not moving your face? In that case, we recommend dermal fillers instead.
Unlike Botox, which relaxes the muscles, fillers ‘fill’ the loose skin so it won’t fold and create a crease around your mouth. Aside from how to fix smile lines, we can also use fillers to restore lost volume on your lips, cheeks, and chin!
The best part is that, like Botox injections, dermal fillers are FDA-approved for a variety of cosmetic treatments. With our licensed and experienced injectors, you’ll have natural-looking results that match your facial features.
For most of our clients who want to treat their smile wrinkles, we use 0.5 to 1 syringe of fillers. Still, it depends on the depth of the wrinkle and how saggy your cheeks are. As with any treatment, we will have a one-on-one consultation with you to discuss what you can expect from the procedure.
Overall, fillers offer temporary results that will last for about 6 to 12 months. It will dissolve on its own, but you can always get touch-ups from us to sustain your wrinkle-free smile.
3. Laser facial
For mild to moderate laugh lines, our laser facial can be a great solution. We use the Candela laser technology to stimulate collagen production on and around your nasolabial lines to lighten the wrinkles.
Moreover, our laser facial is a good option if you’re needle-averse or not yet ready to commit to injectable treatments. You’ll only feel a sensation similar to a rubber band snapping on your skin during the treatment.
Aside from wrinkles, our laser facial is also popular for treating sun spots, removing permanent makeup, and lightening hyperpigmentation. It’s an all-around treatment that can target multiple blemishes, giving you a younger and smooth skin.
However, as we’ve mentioned earlier, laser is best to get rid of laugh lines if it’s only mild. If you have deeper nasolabial folds, you’ll get better results with smile line Botox or fillers.
If you’re unsure about what treatment is best for your smile lines removal, contact us, and our licensed aesthetician will help. We’ll give you a one-on-one consultation to ensure that you’ll achieve the best results.
4. Microneedling
Another way of how to get rid laugh lines is through microneedling. This treatment involves pricking your skin with tiny needles to create small injuries that will trigger your body’s natural healing process.
Such healing process include the increased production of collagen and elastin, which are crucial in keeping your skin’s elasticity. And the more elastic your skin is, the fewer wrinkles there will be!
During this procedure, we use a needle roller to create tiny tears on your skin. After that, we will refresh your skin with a nutrient-packed serum and moisturizer.
Aside from smile lines, microneedling is also effective in minimizing enlarged pores, sun damage, scars, and dark spots. Just take note that your skin will be slightly reddish, swollen, and tender right after the treatment, which will resolve on its own after a few days.
And like our laser facial, microneedling will only lighten your wrinkles. If you want a more drastic result, nothing beats our Botox and filler injections. But whatever treatment you like, you can count on us to give you the best experience in North Hollywood.
5. Chemical peel
One of our newest offers on how to reduce smile lines is through the Perfect Derma Peel. It’s medium-depth and medical-grade peel will reveal a younger and smoother skin in as little as 7 days.
Unlike traditional peels that take weeks to take full effect, Perfect Derma Peel offers a faster and gentler version for almost all skin types. The peel itself is packed with salicylic acid, kojic acid, glutathione, retinoic acid, vitamin C, and more to rejuvenate your aging skin.
Overall, this treatment will only take about 30 minutes, and we’ll give you a home kit to use in the following days. And to maintain the results, you can get boosters from us every 3 months.
Aside from lightening wrinkles, the Perfect Derma Peel is also effective in reducing acne scars, enlarged pores, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and more.
How to prevent smile lines
Can you get rid of smile lines? You can do so temporarily, but there are also ways to prevent them from forming early or getting deeper. Here are some tips that our licensed aestheticians swear by:
- Avoid UV exposure. As we’ve mentioned earlier, UV rays are harmful to the skin. And if you want to delay wrinkles, it’s best to minimize the use of tanning beds or basking in the sun for too long. Also, you should always wear sunscreen.
- Quit smoking. Your laugh lines treatment will not be effective if you keep smoking just the same. So, if you want to prevent having more or deeper smile lines, you should quit your vice as early as now. Aside from your skin, your lungs will also thank you.
- Sleep on your back. If possible, try to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on your nasolabial area. But if you can’t avoid being a side sleeper, try switching sides regularly.
- Keep your skin moisturized. Sticking to a healthy skincare regimen will reduce your risk of having premature smile lines. It will also prevent other problems, such as acne, excessive oiliness, dryness, sensitivity, and other skin issues.
Don’t let laugh lines ruin your smile. Contact Pure Skin Laser Center today!
If you want to know how to make smile lines go away, simply contact us at Pure Skin Laser Center! We offer various treatment options that will lighten and reduce your wrinkles, so you’ll have a fresher and younger look without surgery.
Our licensed aesthetician has 10+ years of cosmetic experience, so your face will be in the best hands. With us, you’ll get a personalized treatment plan that suits your skin type and the results you want to achieve.
If you’re still undecided about what treatment will eliminate your laugh lines, you can schedule a consultation with us. Our North Hollywood specialist will assess your skin and advise you about the best solution in our medical spa.
Contact us today, and let our beauty team give you more reasons to smile!
