Show patients their result before they treat.
The folds that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, deepening with age and volume loss.
Sarah Jenkins
Plan #4101 • Mid Face
Recommended Protocol
Dermal Filler
Juvéderm Voluma • For Smile Lines
Retinols
At-home maintenance
Smile lines (nasolabial folds) are the creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth, caused by midface volume loss, repeated expressions, and sun damage. They're most effectively softened by restoring cheek support with hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvéderm Voluma or Restylane Lyft, or biostimulators like Sculptra and Radiesse, often paired with skin boosters and resurfacing. HA results are immediate and typically last 12–18 months.
Smile lines, also called nasolabial folds, are the creases that run from the sides of the nose down toward the corners of the mouth. They deepen over time as the midface loses collagen and volume, repeated expressions crease the skin, and sun damage and gravity pull the cheeks downward. As they become more pronounced they can read as tired or aged, and makeup tends to settle into the folds.
Smile lines are one of the most common concerns that brings patients into a consult, but the fix is rarely the fold itself — it is usually restoring midface support above it. The provider's goal is to soften the crease and rebalance the face without an overfilled look, which is exactly the moment a cautious patient hesitates. Showing the projected, natural-looking result on the patient's own photo is what turns that hesitation into a booked plan.
Smile Lines
Where it appears
Cheeks, Mouth
Facial area
Mid Face
Treatment paths
11
From in-clinic procedures to at-home regimens, Afters maps the full range of options — so patients can see what each one would do for them, on their own photo, before they commit.
Professional procedures performed by a provider to target the concern directly.
Branded injectables and medical products providers use for this concern.
Medical-grade products patients use between visits to maintain results.
The named injectables, products, and devices patients search for — each lets them preview the result before they commit.
The most recognized hyaluronic acid filler family — a formulation for the lips, cheeks, jawline, and folds.
View brandGalderma's hyaluronic acid filler family, known for natural movement and a wide formulation range.
View brandResilient Hyaluronic Acid fillers, engineered to stretch and recoil with facial expression.
View brandMerz's soft, evenly-integrating hyaluronic acid filler, favored for fine lines and delicate areas.
View brandA versatile hyaluronic acid filler known for less swelling and a competitive price point.
View brandThe only FDA-approved semi-permanent filler — a collagen gel with PMMA microspheres that lasts up to 5 years.
View brandPatients rarely come in for just one thing. Browse other concerns Afters can visualize.
Restoring volume and lift to flat or sunken cheeks for a refreshed midface.
Explore treatmentsThe vertical folds running from the corners of the mouth toward the chin that create a downturned, tired look.
Explore treatmentsSmall, shallow wrinkles that show up first around the eyes, mouth, and forehead.
Explore treatmentsCommon questions patients ask about smile lines — and what practices should be ready to answer.
Age-related collagen and fat loss in the midface, repeated smiling and facial movement, sun damage, and gravity all combine to deepen the fold between the cheek and mouth over time.
Restoring lost cheek volume with hyaluronic acid filler or a biostimulator like Sculptra usually softens the fold more naturally than filling the line directly. Skin boosters and resurfacing refine surface texture.
Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 12–18 months, while biostimulators such as Sculptra and Radiesse can last up to two years as they stimulate the body's own collagen.
Yes. Collagen-stimulating options like microneedling, RF microneedling, threads, and laser resurfacing can improve the surrounding skin, though volume replacement gives the most direct softening of a deep fold.
Not when the midface is supported conservatively rather than overpacking the fold itself. Previewing a balanced result before treatment helps set expectations and avoid an unnatural look.
Afters simulates the outcome on a patient's own photo and builds a visual 12-month plan — so consults convert and average ticket climbs.