Smile Lines, Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines: 8 Free Ways to Prevent and Reduce Them

A person who laughs often will inevitably develop some smile lines. While this is natural, many women still care about them, as they don’t want their appearance to look older than they actually are. Wrinkles are a broad term, and depending on where they appear, they are classified into many types. This article focuses on smile lines—how much do you know about them? Apart from not laughing, are there ways to reduce them? Let’s uncover everything in this post!

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What Are Smile Lines? Version 1: Lines Around the Mouth

Near the corners of the mouth, people can have nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and smile lines. Because these areas are close together, they are easily confused. Smile lines appear right at the corners of the mouth and are usually short. Nasolabial folds extend from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, while marionette lines run from the corners of the mouth down toward the chin. For some people, nasolabial folds may connect with smile or marionette lines, making the face look older and more fatigued.

Smile lines are related to several muscles, such as the orbicularis oris, zygomaticus major, and zygomaticus minor. The orbicularis oris encircles the lips and is involved when we pucker, press, whistle, chew, sip through a straw, or even speak. When the smile moves upward, it activates the zygomaticus major and minor, forming smile lines. If the smile spreads sideways into a “horizontal toothy” grin, lines at the corners of the mouth also appear—these muscles are called the zygomaticus muscles. Knowing which muscle causes your smile lines makes improving them faster and more effective.

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What Are Smile Lines? Version 2: Eye Smile Lines + Muscle-Induced Nasolabial Folds

Smile lines are dynamic wrinkles, meaning they appear only when smiling—even fake smiles can create them. When you smile, your eyes squint, forming crow’s feet. Some people wrinkle their nose when smiling—these lines are also considered smile lines because they appear during smiling.

Muscle-induced nasolabial folds occur due to facial muscle movement during smiling. Over time, dynamic smile lines can turn into static smile lines, meaning prolonged exaggerated expressions can leave lines visible even when not smiling.

• Eye corner lines: Dynamic crow’s feet appear due to frequent facial expressions. Over time, as skin elasticity decreases, these lines become more noticeable. True static crow’s feet exist even without expression. Aging, collagen loss, and poor eye care (like long screen exposure or skipping eye cream) can accelerate their formation.
• Muscle-induced nasolabial folds: Caused by frequent facial expressions like smiling, pouting, or talking. These folds follow the curvature from the nose to the mouth and may involve multiple facial muscles. While young people’s nasolabial folds are mostly this type, they add authenticity to a smile but can still make the face appear older.

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Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Why Are They Harder to Fix Than Smile Lines?

Nasolabial folds are caused by:

1. Aging: As we age, facial tissues such as muscles and fat diminish, and collagen decreases. Gravity causes the skin to sag, deepening nasolabial folds.
2. Collagen & Elastin Damage: Unhealthy habits like smoking, skipping sunscreen, using harsh skincare or makeup, and staying up late accelerate collagen breakdown, leading to early nasolabial folds.
3. Rapid Weight Changes: Quick weight loss reduces collagen, causing sagging skin; weight gain stretches facial tissues, both worsening folds.

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Types of Nasolabial Folds: Identify to Treat Effectively

1. Depressed folds: Caused by fat loss or displacement and reduced collagen and elastin, resulting in thinner, sagging skin in the fold area.
2. Aging folds: Loss of collagen and elastin leads to static folds that appear even without expression. Poor skincare or dehydration accelerates their appearance.
3. Muscle-induced folds: Caused by frequent expressions (grimacing, laughing, fake crying), as well as habits like touching the face, propping the chin, or sleeping on the side. While subtle at rest, they may evolve into depressed or aging folds over time.

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Daily Home Care: Massage Techniques for Smile & Nasolabial Lines

Massage gently—too much pressure worsens skin stress. Wash your face first, then apply facial oil or cream before massaging. Warm your fingers or use a hot towel for better results.

1. Smile Muscle Massage: Gently massage from the nose wing toward the cheekbones, relax the zygomatic muscles. Push marionette lines upward and nasolabial folds outward with your knuckles.
2. Blowing Air Exercise: Fill the mouth with air (like a pufferfish) to stretch nasolabial folds for 10 seconds, then exhale fully and inhale deeply, holding for 10 seconds. Repeat at least 5 times daily.
3. Middle Finger Lift: Lift nasolabial folds upward with your middle finger, hold for a few seconds, then release. Relaxes facial muscles and reduces folds.
4. Finger Pad Tapping: Lightly tap areas with smile, marionette, and nasolabial lines to boost blood circulation and diminish wrinkles.

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Aesthetic Treatments to Reduce Smile Lines

1. Facelift Surgery: Lifts skin, hides scars in natural lines, and smooths smile lines. Provides longer-lasting, natural results.

2. Injectable Fillers:

○ Hyaluronic Acid: Fills in depressions, adds hydration and elasticity. Overuse can cause unevenness.
○ Botulinum Toxin: Temporarily relaxes muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles. Excess can cause unnatural, stiff smiles.

3. Laser Treatments: Non-invasive lasers stimulate collagen production to improve elasticity and reduce lines naturally.

4. Microneedling: Creates microchannels in the skin to trigger collagen and elastin regeneration, reducing wrinkles. Hydration after treatment helps alleviate redness and discomfort.

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8 Daily Ways to Reduce Smile Lines

1. Avoid tugging the eyelids (rubbing or squinting).
2. Limit screen time to reduce squinting and crow’s feet.
3. Skincare: Use gentle application and massage in circular motions for nutrient absorption.
4. Avoid exaggerated expressions: Smile subtly to prevent dynamic lines from becoming static.
5. Diet: Reduce high-sugar, high-salt, and fried foods. Eat antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and stay hydrated.
6. Regular facial treatments: Hydration, anti-wrinkle, or brightening facials support skin health.
7. Maintain healthy habits: Quit smoking and drinking, sleep well, and exercise for better circulation.
8. Sun protection: UV rays accelerate collagen breakdown and can cause depressed folds.

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Deep Smile Lines? Want a Youthful Lift? — Try Thermage FLX 5th Generation Face Lift Treatment

Smile lines make people approachable, but they can also age the face. Daily prevention helps, but after age 25, reversing wrinkles becomes difficult. For fast, effective improvement, try Perfect Medical Thermage FLX 5th Generation Face Lift Treatment.

This cutting-edge treatment uses radiofrequency energy to lift sagging skin and stimulate collagen production. It tightens the skin, smooths smile lines, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, and restores youthful contours. The procedure is non-invasive, painless, and requires no downtime. Depending on skin condition and wrinkle severity, a few sessions can deliver long-lasting results.