Laugh lines, also called nasolabial folds, run from the nose to the corners of the mouth. They deepen with age, sun exposure, and repetitive facial expressions. Whether you want to soften them at home or explore in-office options, the path forward depends on how deep the folds have become.
What Causes Laugh Lines To Form?
Nasolabial folds are a normal part of aging. Collagen and elastin production slows as you get older, so skin loses firmness and volume. Repeated muscle movement from smiling and talking etches those lines deeper over time.
Sun damage and smoking accelerate the process. Mayo Clinic notes that ultraviolet light breaks down collagen, and tobacco use worsens wrinkles around the mouth. Genetics also play a role: some people simply develop deeper folds earlier than others.
Can Daily Skin Care Actually Reduce Laugh Lines?
Yes, but only up to a point. A consistent routine prevents further deepening and can smooth fine lines, though it will not erase deep folds. Mayo Clinic recommends daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, applied generously and reapplied every two hours or more often when swimming or sweating.
Moisturizing matters too. Retinoids are the most potent over-the-counter option, working by speeding cell turnover and stimulating collagen. The trade-off: they take months to show results, and Mayo Clinic warns that retinol or retinoid products are not for use when pregnant. Gentle face washing and daily moisturizer round out the at-home baseline.
Some people swear by facial exercises. This is a home exercise, not a guaranteed medical treatment, but it carries no risk and costs nothing.
What In-Office Treatments Work Best?
When at-home care is not enough, dermatologists turn to several procedures. The right choice depends on fold depth, skin condition, and how long you want results to last.
| Treatment | How It Works | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dermal fillers | Inject gel under skin to plump the fold | 6–12 months |
| Botulinum toxin | Relaxes muscles that deepen expression lines | About 3 months |
| Laser, ultrasound, or radio-frequency | Stimulates collagen to tighten skin | Varies; gradual |
| Cheek lift or facelift | Surgical repositioning of facial tissue | Most permanent option |
For laugh lines specifically, dermal fillers are the most targeted approach. The FDA describes these as injected under facial skin to smooth laugh lines, with effects lasting up to 12 months for Defyne.
Injection-site reactions like redness, swelling, bruising, lumps, and tenderness are usually mild and temporary. Botulinum toxin works differently, relaxing the muscles that deepen the folds; Cleveland Clinic says its effects last roughly three months.
Skin-tightening procedures — lasers, ultrasound, and radio waves — stimulate collagen for a tauter look, though results build gradually. Surgery remains the most permanent answer; Cleveland Clinic notes a cheek lift or facelift can reduce nasolabial folds, with the facelift delivering longer-lasting results.
What Is Realistic To Expect?
Laugh lines are a normal part of aging, and Cleveland Clinic is direct about it: they cannot always be fully eliminated. Treatments reduce their appearance, but no option removes them permanently without surgery.
If you are considering fillers or other procedures, start by talking with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Ask about your specific fold depth, the practitioner’s experience, and realistic outcomes. For milder cases, a solid daily routine with sunscreen, moisturizer, and retinol may be enough to keep lines from deepening further.
When you are ready to compare topical products at home, our tested roundup of creams for laugh lines breaks down which formulas earn their price tag.
FAQs
Do laugh lines ever go away completely?
Fillers, botulinum toxin, and skin-tightening procedures smooth the folds temporarily, while daily sunscreen and retinoids prevent further deepening. Most people find that consistent treatment keeps laugh lines subtle rather than erasing them entirely.
How long do filler results last for nasolabial folds?
Individual metabolism, the specific product used, and the amount injected all influence how quickly the body absorbs the gel.
A daily routine with SPF 30-plus sunscreen, moisturizer, and a retinol product is the best home approach. Cleveland Clinic also describes a face exercise that involves pulling mouth corners back toward the neck and holding for 10 seconds, repeated 10 to 25 times. Results are gradual and modest compared to professional treatments.
References & Sources
- FDA. “Restylane Defyne – P140029/S027.” Confirms approval for laugh lines in adults over 21, with effects lasting up to 12 months.
- Cleveland Clinic. “Nasolabial Folds.” Details treatment categories and realistic expectations for fold reduction.
- Mayo Clinic. “Wrinkles.” Provides prevention guidance including sunscreen SPF 30+ and retinoid use.