Smile Lines

Smile lines run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth and often deepen with volume loss and repeated expression.

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Related Concerns
 concerns
Related Treatments
Treatments
Region
Face
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About this area

Smile Lines Deepen Because The Midface Descended. That's The Part That Matters.

The nasolabial fold runs from the lateral nasal ala to the corner of the mouth, separating the cheek from the upper lip. It's defined by a fibromuscular condensation in the deep dermis — a structural component that means some degree of fold is anatomically normal and present in almost everyone.

The fold deepens with age as the malar fat pad descends, removing the structural support that kept it shallow. The tissue above the fold loses its anchor and drops, increasing the fold depth and creating a shadow that reads as heaviness across the midface.

Related Concerns

When the midface is restored, the fold often takes care of itself.

Treatments for this area

What Can Be Done For Smile Lines.

The nasolabial fold runs from the lateral nasal ala to the corner of the mouth, separating the cheek from the upper lip. It's defined by a fibromuscular condensation in the deep dermis — a structural component that means some degree of fold is anatomically normal and present in almost everyone.

The fold deepens with age as the malar fat pad descends, removing the structural support that kept it shallow. The tissue above the fold loses its anchor and drops, increasing the fold depth and creating a shadow that reads as heaviness across the midface.

Related treatments

When the midface is restored, the fold often takes care of itself.

How It Changes Over Time

The Fold Deepens From What's Above It, Not From Smiling.

20s
30s
40s
50s+

Folds visible only with expression; resting face smooth.

Early fold visibility at rest as malar descent begins.

Established static folds; midface volume loss accelerates depth.

Deep folds with structural creasing; midface and direct treatment typically both needed.

In Your 20s

Nasolabial folds are present only during expression and disappear completely at rest. The midface is full and well-supported.

In Your 30s

Early static fold visibility begins as malar fat pad descends. Faint crease at rest that most patients aren't yet concerned about.

In Your 40s

Established fold at rest. Most patients notice it as a heaviness or aging quality in the midface. Direct midface support is typically the priority.

In Your 50s+

Deep, established fold with a structural crease component. Both upstream midface support and direct fold softening are often needed for optimal results.

Why Patients Treat This Area

Patients come in wanting the fold filled. The conversation usually starts with the cheek.

01

Reduce the fold depth that creates a shadow of heaviness across the midface

02

Restore the cheek volume that's allowing the fold to deepen

03

Look less tired and less aged without looking overfilled

Fix What's Above The Fold Before You Touch The Fold.

At CAMI, smile line assessment starts with the cheek. If the fold is primarily the result of midface descent, we treat the cheek first — restoring the support that's allowing the fold to deepen. For many patients, this alone substantially softens the fold without ever placing product into it.

When direct fold treatment is appropriate, we use mid-to-firm flexible fillers that can soften the crease without creating rigidity on movement. We evaluate and treat in a staged approach when needed, allowing the midface correction to settle before assessing whether direct fold treatment adds value.

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CAMI provider administering dermal filler injection along the smile lines for nasolabial fold treatment

FAQ

Should I fill my smile lines directly or treat my cheeks first?
What if my smile lines are very deep?
Are my smile lines caused by smiling or by aging?