Nasolabial fold filler is a treatment that softens the lines running from the side of the nose down toward the corners of the mouth. Doctors call them nasolabial folds; most people know them as smile lines or laugh lines.

These lines are a natural part of every face and deepen when we smile. With age, they start to look deep even at rest, which can make you look tired or older than you feel.

The main reasons smile lines deepen are:

• Midface volume loss: The fat pads over the cheekbones thin out and slide down, so tissue folds over the line.
• Less bone support: The upper jawbone gradually loses volume with age, so the area has less support underneath.
• Changes in skin quality: As collagen and elastin decrease, the skin loses its elasticity.
• Other factors: Rapid weight loss, sun damage, smoking and sleeping position may make the lines more visible sooner.

Smile lines filler is one of the most commonly requested filler treatments. To see the other options, visit our dermal fillers page.

Filling the line itself is not always the right answer. Because the most common cause is volume loss in the midface, placing filler only in the fold can make the area around the mouth look heavy and overfilled in some faces.

That is why Facial Architecture (Yüz Mimarisi®) starts by looking at the whole face. If the midface has clearly flattened, the cheek area is gently lifted first with supportive filler over the cheekbones. This often softens the nasolabial fold indirectly. Any depth left in the line can then be finished with a small amount of filler.

The benefits of this approach:

• A more natural result with less product.
• No heavy or puffy look around the mouth.
• The proportions of the face are preserved and the lifting effect is clearer.

You can read more about cheek and midface treatment on our facial filler page.

Treatment begins with a facial analysis and examination. The depth of each line, the amount of midface volume loss and any difference between the two sides are assessed to plan the treatment.

1. The area is cleansed and a numbing cream is applied; it is left on for 15–20 minutes.
2. The filler is placed beneath the line at the right depth, using a very fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula.
3. The area is checked and gently shaped if needed.
4. Both sides are compared to check symmetry.

Medium-density hyaluronic acid fillers are usually used in this area. The amount depends on how deep the lines are; for most people, about 1 ml in total for both sides is enough.

The treatment takes about 15–20 minutes and the result is visible right away. Because this area lies close to important facial blood vessels, it matters for safety that the treatment is done by a doctor who knows facial anatomy well, using a cannula when appropriate.

For a few days beforehand, ask your doctor about pausing aspirin, high-dose omega-3 and vitamin E, which may increase bruising. Photos are taken before treatment so the result can be assessed properly at your follow-up visit.

Mild swelling, redness and tenderness are common after treatment and usually settle within 2–3 days. Some people get small bruises, which fade within a few days.

Slight firmness in the treated area is normal in the first days and fades as the filler blends into the tissue.

To support healing:

• Don’t press on or massage the area for the first 24 hours.
• Avoid intense exercise and alcohol on the first day.
• Avoid saunas, Turkish baths and very hot environments for two weeks.
• Try not to sleep face down on the first night.
• Use a cold compress on and off on the first day to ease swelling.

If you notice increasing pain, a change in skin color or paleness in the area, contact your doctor without delay.

Results usually last 9–12 months. This varies with the product, the amount used and your metabolism. Because the area around the mouth is one of the most mobile parts of the face, filler here may break down a little faster than in less mobile areas.

When smile lines filler is planned together with supportive cheek filler, the result is usually maintained for longer. Options that stimulate collagen production, such as HarmonyCA filler, may also be considered for suitable candidates.

Small top-up treatments before the filler has fully dissolved can help maintain the result with less product. Smoking, strong sun exposure and rapid weight changes may shorten how long the effect lasts.