How to get rid of smile lines and prevent them. Here’s my cosmetic health story So, there I was staring in the mirror again, noticing those lines running from my nose to my mouth seem deeper all the time. Maybe you’ve been there too? These smile lines (or “laugh lines” if we’re being kind to ourselves) are totally normal, but that doesn’t stop many of us from wishing they weren’t quite so… obvious.
After my friend dropped $800 on some miracle cream that did absolutely nothing for her fine lines and wrinkles. I went down a research rabbit hole. I’ve talked to three dermatologists, read countless studies, and even guinea-pigged a few treatments myself. No BS promises here – just what I’ve learned actually works and what’s a waste of money trying to get rid of wrinkles.
What’s Actually Going On With These Lines?
Medical dermatologists and a plastic surgeon calls them “nasolabial folds” (fancy, right?), but they’re just the creases that form when your cheeks move. The problem is, as we get older, our skin loses its bounce-back quality. That collagen production and elastin that kept everything tight in our twenties? It starts declining about 1% per year after 30. Throw in all the laughing, talking, and making faces, and those lines start to stick around even when you are relaxed.
It’s not just birthdays making them worse though. Your mom’s front shape? Yeah, you probably inherited those smile line tendencies. And those summers lifeguarding without sunscreen? Those are showing up now too. Even sleeping face-down on your pillow can deepen these bad boys.
Stuff That Actually Works (If You’re Willing to Pay For It)
Let’s talk about the treatments dermatologists actually recommend (not just what celebrities claim they do):
Dermal Fillers: The Quick Fix You’ll Get Addicted To
I was terrified but finally tried this before my cousin’s wedding. They inject this gel (hyaluronic acid – something your body naturally makes anyway) right into those folds. It literally pushes the skin up from underneath and “fills” the lines.
My experience? I walked in with lines, walked out without them. Magic, but expensive magic. And not truly a natural part.
The appointment took maybe 30 minutes. They don’t feel great, but they use numbing cream and it’s way less painful than I imagined. I looked slightly puffy for about a day – nothing crazy, just like I’d had a tiny allergic reaction or something.
Cost me $750 and lasted about 8 months. Worth it? For me, yes, especially for special events or if you want results literally right now. But beware – it’s addictive when you see how much younger you look instantly.
Botox: Not What You Think It Is
Surprise – Botox isn’t just for foreheads and crow’s feet! My dermatologist friend says she uses “baby Botox” around the mouth area to relax the muscles that keep folding your skin in the same places.
It doesn’t fill the aging lines but stops from creating deeper creases every time you talk or smile. Think of it as prevention rather than correction.
The needle is tiny, procedure takes like 10 minutes, and you’ll see results in about 3-5 days. Costs around $400-500 for this area, and lasts 3-4 months. My friend Sarah swears by it – says it’s subtle enough that nobody notices she’s had anything done, but her makeup doesn’t settle into lines anymore.
Lasers: The “I’m Serious About This” Option
I haven’t tried this myself (yet), but my mother did a full facial treatment. These fancy laser machines essentially create controlled damage to your skin, forcing it to heal by making fresh collagen.
Be real about aging and what to expect though – you’ll be RED and possibly crusty for several days (Mom worked from home for a while). You’ll need 3-5 treatments spaced a month apart, and results build gradually. We’re talking a solid $2,500 investment.
The upside? It actually changed her skin quality, not just the lines. 24 months later, she still looks fresher than before treatments. If you are playing the long game and can handle some downtime, this might be worth saving for.
Microneedling: For When Feeling Brave
My coworker Katie does this every few months. They roll this device across your cheeks and all. Sounds medieval, right? But it works by creating thousands of microscopic punctures that trigger your skin to heal itself with fresh collagen.
Katie says it’s uncomfortable but manageable with numbing. She looks like she has a sunburn for about 24 hours afterward. At $300-ish per session, it’s not cheap, but way less than lasers. You need about 3-6 treatments, a month apart.
Her appearance of aging smile lines isn’t gone, but they’re noticeably softer. Plus, it helped with some old acne scars she had. Win-win.
Stuff You Can Try at Home (Temper Your Expectations)
Let me be straight with you about aging – no product is going to give you the same results as needles or lasers. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost if you’re not ready for the big guns. These things actually can help over time with the collagen production process:
Ingredients That Aren’t Complete BS
I’ve tried approximately hundreds of skincare products. Here’s what actually makes a tiny difference for health and reduce the appearance of what you don’t want:
- Retinol: This vitamin A derivative is the closest thing to magic in a bottle. It speeds up cell turnover and boosts collagen. The prescription stuff (tretinoin) works best, but over-the-counter versions help too. Warning: it can make your skin flaky and irritated at first. Start with using it just twice every 7 days. My smile lines are definitely less noticeable after a while of consistent use.
- Peptides: These are like little messengers that tell your skin to make more collagen. They work waaaay more slowly than retinol but don’t cause irritation.
- Vitamin C: It’s not directly for wrinkles, but it brightens your skin and protects existing collagen. I use it every morning – it makes my skin look better overall, which makes the smile lines less obvious.
- Hyaluronic Acid: This super-hydrator temporarily plumps skin, making lines look less deep for a few hours. Great for before events or photos, but effects disappear when it dries.
My Actual Daily Routine That Seems to Help
Morning:
- Splash with water (full cleansing strips natural oils)
- Vitamin C serum (I use SkinCeuticals but The Ordinary makes a decent cheap one)
- Light moisturizer
- SUNSCREEN. Seriously. This is non-negotiable. Most of those lines came from sun damage.
Evening:
- Oil cleanser to dissolve makeup (game changer when I started doing this)
- Gentle foaming cleanser
- Retinol cream (I use it Monday/Wednesday/Friday)
- Heavy-duty moisturizer (I love CeraVe in the tub)
Once a week: I use a chemical exfoliant (like The Ordinary’s AHA/BHA peel) to get rid of dead skin cells. My products absorb so much better afterward.
Face Yoga: Worth a Try?
My sister is OBSESSED with facial exercises. She does them daily while watching TV and swears they’ve kept her “11 lines” at bay. The science is pretty limited, but hey, it’s free.
One she taught me: make an “O” with your mouth, then try to smile while keeping the “O” shape. Hold for 10 seconds while placing slight resistance with your fingers on your smile lines. Feels ridiculous but oddly satisfying.
Those LED Masks That Make You Look Like a Serial Killer
I bought one of those red light therapy masks after seeing approximately 500 influencers promoting them. The science says they might stimulate collagen, but mildly.
After six months of use (3x every 7 days for 10 minutes), I noticed… maybe a tiny improvement? It’s hard to say. For $250, there are probably better investments unless performing already doing everything else right.
The Boring-But-True Stuff That Makes the Biggest Difference
Let’s be real. All the fancy creams in the world won’t help if you’re ignoring these basics:
Sunscreen: The Most Unsexy Yet Important Advice Ever
I cannot stress this enough. Nothing – NOTHING – ages you faster than sun exposure. UVA rays break down collagen and elastin deep in your skin, even when you are not getting burned. They also pass through windows, so yes, you need sunscreen even when driving or sitting by a window at work.
My dermatologist estimates that 80% of facial aging comes from sun exposure. That should terrify you into wearing SPF 30+ daily. (I learned this lesson way too late.)
How You Sleep Matters More Than You Think
I was shocked when my esthetician pointed out that one side had deeper lines – my “sleeping side.” Apparently, crushing your front into a pillow for 8 hours every night can create lines that eventually become permanent.
I’ve been trying to train myself to sleep on my back. Failed miserably until I bought a special pillow with neck support and little walls that discourage side-sleeping. Weirdly effective.
Your Wine Habit Is Showing On You
I never connected my weekend wine nights with my skin until I did a dry January. By near month end, people were asking if I’d had “work done.” Turns out, alcohol is crazy dehydrating and inflammatory and it’s not doing any favors in the weight loss department.
Same goes for smoking – if you need another reason to quit, it destroys collagen and causes lines around the mouth specifically. My aunt quit at 50 and swears her skin looks better at 60 than it did then.
What You’re Eating Shows Up Eventually
Loading up on these foods seems to make a real difference:
- Fatty fish like salmon (the omega-3s maintain your skin’s moisture barrier)
- Colorful berries and vegetables (antioxidants fight the free radicals that break down collagen)
- Bone broth and protein (provides the building blocks for new collagen)
When I eat like garbage, my smile lines are the first place it shows up. Bodies are annoying that way.
Reality Check Before You Drop Serious Cash
Before you max out your credit card on treatments, ask yourself:
- What actually bothers you? Is it how your lines look in photos? In certain lighting? All the time? This helps determine which treatment makes sense.
- What’s your REAL budget? Be honest with yourself. Fillers aren’t a one-and-done thing – they’re a subscription service. Can you afford $1500+ indefinitely?
- How much downtime can you handle? Some treatments require hiding out for days. If you can’t take time off work with a redness, cross lasers off your list.
- Are your expectations reasonable? Nothing will make you look 20 again. The goal is improvement, not perfection.
Don’t Get Botched: Finding Someone You Can Trust
If you decide to go the professional route, please do your homework:
- Check credentials – look for board-certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons, not spas where the person got certified yesterday
- Ask to see THEIR before/after photos, not stock photos
- Read reviews obsessively, especially ones that mention smile lines specifically
- Run if they try to upsell you on treatments you didn’t ask about
- Trust your gut – if something feels off, find another provider
The Perspective Nobody Wants to Hear But Everyone Needs
Here’s the thing, smile lines mean you’ve smiled a lot. That’s actually pretty awesome when you think about it. It means you have facial movements.
My grandmother had the deepest laugh lines I’ve ever seen, and she was the most beautiful woman in any room she entered. It wasn’t despite her lines but somehow because of them – they showed a life fully lived.
I’m not saying don’t treat your lines if they bother you. They are part of the aging process. Do what makes you feel good! I’ve done plenty. But also maybe take a moment to appreciate that your front tells your story. Those lines came from laughing with friends, smiling at your kids, expressing joy.
Whatever you decide to reduce their appearance. Expensive treatments, religious sunscreen use, or total acceptance. Just make sure you keep creating those smile lines by actually smiling. That’s the whole point of all this anyway, right? It’s all cosmetic!