You may have heard the adage that keeping your expression neutral will prevent smile lines. But where’s the joy in that? It’s possible to look your best without following unrealistic restrictions. At Xage Medical Spa, we show you how.
There is no single miracle product that does everything, but the right combination of skin care and treatment can make all the difference. For many of our patients, the most effective approach involves restoring lost midface volume with a dermal filler or biostimulator, then thickening and tightening the skin with a collagen-building treatment like Morpheus8 or laser resurfacing.
Below, we’ll talk about what causes smile lines, smile line treatments that actually work, and how to get rid of smile lines naturally.
Which Lines Are We Actually Talking About?
When you say “smile lines,” you might mean those folds that appear near your cheek, but another person might be referring to the lines beside their eyes when they laugh. It can be a little confusing because “smile lines” is actually used to describe three different types of facial lines, and each one requires different smile line treatments.
Smile Lines:
- Nasolabial folds: creases running from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Mostly structural, caused by volume loss and skin laxity.
- Crow’s feet: fine lines that fan out from the outer corners of your eyes when you smile, formed by repeated facial muscle movements.
- Marionette lines: lines running from the corners of your mouth down toward the chin. Usually a result of volume loss and laxity.
Understanding which type of smile lines you have is the first step toward finding the right smile lines treatment to address them.
What Causes Smile Lines?
It would be simple to say “smiling” and accept smile lines as inevitable, but there’s a lot more to it than that. That’s why simply avoiding smiling doesn’t work.
For most people, smile lines are the result of several factors working together. Here are a few contributing factors:
- The fat pads in our cheeks naturally descend and deflate with age, leaving the fold without the support they once had underneath.
- Collagen and elastin production slows down, thinning the skin at the fold.
- Facial ligaments loosen over time, allowing tissue to shift downward.
- Sun damage, smoking, and repeated weight fluctuations all speed up that process.
- Genetics and bone structure matter too—some people notice prominent nasolabial folds in their twenties.
- Repeated facial expressions gradually deepen an existing crease over time.
You might be looking at this list of causes and thinking, “I can’t cut out all of these factors! I want to live my life”, and the good news is that you can! We’ve put together some smile line treatments, both in-clinic and at-home, to help reduce smile lines.
Does Botox Work on Smile Lines?
This depends entirely on which smile lines you’re referring to.
- For nasolabial folds: Not usually. Botox works best on smile lines that are muscle-driven—nasolabial folds are not. Injecting in the area risks lip asymmetry or drooping, so we advise against it.
- For crow’s feet: Yes. Neuromodulators like Botox are exactly what crow’s feet respond to.
- For a gummy smile or bunny lines: Yes, when the dosing is small and precise.
Smile Lines Treatments That Actually Work
Now that we’ve uncovered what’s behind those smile lines, let’s talk solutions. Volume loss, skin laxity, and surface texture concerns all require their own targeted approach to achieve the best possible results.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers address volume loss in the problem area using hyaluronic acid. The filler is placed in the midface and cheek to lift the fold from above, rather than placing it directly into the crease.
Avoid filling into the fold itself, as this can create an unnatural, puffy appearance. Lifting from the cheek restores the underlying structure that was lost, reducing the appearance of smile lines.
Best for: Moderate to deep nasolabial folds with visible volume loss.
Biostimulatory Injectables
Rather than filling instantly, biostimulators like dilute Radiesse® encourage your skin to generate more collagen. Results build gradually and feel natural because the improvement comes from your own tissue.
Best for: This is one of the better options if you are exploring how to get rid of smile lines naturally over time, using your body’s own regenerative response. The results are structural, gradual, and long-lasting.
Morpheus8 (Radiofrequency Microneedling)
Morpheus8 combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling to remodel the dermis and tighten laxity around the fold. It does not add volume, but it significantly improves skin quality and firmness.
Best for: Mild to moderate skin laxity, or as a complement to filler for optimal results.
Forma (Non-Invasive Radiofrequency)
Forma delivers gentle radiofrequency energy to the skin with no downtime, making it an ideal option for regular maintenance of your skin’s firmness.
Best for: Mild laxity, or as an ongoing maintenance treatment between other procedures.
Laser Resurfacing and OptimasMAX
Laser resurfacing targets fine lines and addresses the crepey texture around the fold. OptimasMAX combines multiple energy modalities to resurface and stimulate collagen, resulting in a smoother overall skin texture.
Best for: Surface-level fine lines and textural concerns around the fold.
Microneedling
Microneedling uses controlled micro-injuries to stimulate the skin’s natural collagen production. Treatment is typically delivered over the course of a series of sessions.
Best for: Texture improvement and superficial lines. It’s often used to complement other treatments.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve surface texture and skin tone. While they will not reverse a deep fold caused by volume loss, they can make the overall area look healthier and more even.
Best for: Tone, pigmentation, and texture correction.
BBL / Lumecca IPL
BroadBand Light (BBL) and Lumecca IPL are light-based treatments that help address sun damage and pigmentation, which can make the lower face appear older. They do not treat the fold itself, but they improve the overall quality of the surrounding skin.
Best for: Patients with significant sun damage or uneven pigmentation around the fold.
Can Skincare and At-Home Options Really Make a Difference?
Prescription-strength retinoids, daily SPF, and vitamin C serums can make a significant difference in skin quality and preventative skincare. A dedicated routine, when properly followed, can lead to real improvements in overall texture and can even slow the rate at which lines deepen.
What they will not do is reverse an established fold that is caused by volume loss. Once structural support is gone, topical products cannot rebuild it.
Popular At-Home Options:
- Facial exercises
- Face taping
- Gua sha
- Cupping
While clinical evidence for these methods in addressing deep nasolabial folds is still emerging, they can provide some improvements in muscle tone and circulation as part of a broader skincare routine.
If you are serious about how to get rid of smile lines naturally, the most effective “natural” approach is collagen stimulation through biostimulatory injectables or devices like Morpheus8—treatments that work with your body’s own biology rather than replacing it.
Xage Creates Personalized Plan to Make You Smile
We know how important your smile is to you, so at Xage, we create a plan tailor-made to your exact concerns. We begin every smile line treatment plan with a complimentary, in-person consultation. The consultation includes a thorough assessment of whether your fold is driven by volume loss, skin laxity, surface texture, or a combination.
With Xage, your skin is in expert hands. All smile line treatments are led by Dr. Stuart B. Porter, a board-certified physician with over 30 years of experience who personally oversees all patient care. Since 2004, Xage has proudly served Provo, Orem, and the surrounding Utah County area, making us the longest-running medical spa in the region.
For those who prefer to spread the cost of treatment, flexible payment plans are also available.
Smile With Confidence
At Xage Medical Spa, we want to give you something to smile about. That’s why we provide expert, personalized care to get you smiling with confidence.
The right plan depends on your anatomy, your goals, and how your skin has aged. That’s why an in-person assessment matters more than any product recommendation online.
If you’re ready to find out which treatments will actually work for your specific smile lines, schedule a complimentary consultation with Xage Medical Spa today.