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While fine lines near the corners of your mouth are usually known as laugh lines, there’s nothing funny about dealing with unwanted wrinkles. For a few easy methods to achieve smoother skin, Bazaar asked top skin professionals—like dermatologists Cindy Yoon-Soon Bae and Morgan Rabach, plastic surgeon David Shafer, and facialist Yolanda Mata—for expert tips. Read on for a breakdown on how to get rid of laugh lines, according to the pros, along with what causes them to develop in the first place.
What are laugh lines?
We understand it can sometimes feel like you’re the only one who has them, but developing laugh lines is actually a very common skincare concern. They often appear as vertical lines extending from the sides of the nose and curving around the mouth—hence the “laugh” connotation—and sometimes stretch toward the chin.
Plastic surgeon Shafer tells Bazaar there are actually two types of laugh lines: nasolabial creases and nasolabial folds. The nasolabial crease is the line you see between the upper lip and cheek, while the fold is described as tissue that hangs over the crease. Both types can develop over time due to aging and lifestyle factors.
“If you look back in your high school yearbook, probably half the people have a nasolabial crease—so it is not necessarily a sign of aging,” Shafer says. “People develop deeper creases with age, weight gain, and with recession of the dentition or dental problems. The teeth are no longer supporting the overlying tissue, which makes the crease deeper.”
What is the most effective way to treat them?
According to professionals, the most effective treatment for fine lines is using dermal fillers that work to plump skin and improve its contour—but ultimately, it depends on the type of facial creasing you have. There are dynamic wrinkles (those that become noticeable with facial movement) and static wrinkles (fine lines you still see even when your face doesn’t move). “We want to prevent the static wrinkles, because they can become more difficult to treat over time,” dermatologist Bae explains. “They’re pretty common, as we use the muscles around our eyes and lips all the time when blinking, smiling, and animating.”
Fellow derm Rabach often recommends fillers, as opposed to Botox, to her clients, as the line-plumping results are almost immediate. “Fillers are made up of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar molecule found under the skin,” she says. “Unlike Botox, which takes roughly a week to kick in, the improvement with fillers is seen immediately.”
No matter which injectable method you choose, Shafer also recommends finding a board-certified expert who understands the nuances of facial anatomy. “If too much filler is placed in the wrinkle, you may be very smooth, but you may also look puffy—this can look odd around the mouth,” he says.
Can you minimize the appearance of lines without needles?
While fillers and other injectables make targeting and treating laugh lines simple, there are other wrinkle-reducing treatments you can administer at home without the help of a professional.
Choose the right skincare ingredients
Look for products with key ingredients like retinol or vitamin C to stimulate collagen production, which helps minimize wrinkles over time. Shafer recommends SkinMedica’s TNS Advanced+ Serum and the Senté Dermal Repair Cream in particular, as both work at the cellular level to enhance collagen and hydrate the skin. Bae adds that retinoids can also reduce or prevent laugh lines that may appear near the eyes.
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
SkinMedica TNS Advanced+ Serum
Regularly exfoliate
Since gentle exfoliation can make a major difference in the overall smoothness of your skin, Bae encourages the regular use of cleansers featuring physical or chemical exfoliants, or topical alpha hydroxy acid products. Shafer agrees, suggesting staples such as Skinbetter’s AlphaRet Exfoliating Peel Pads containing glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acid.
Try a facial massage
Mata, a facialist and creator of the Yoliglo experience, recommends retraining your facial muscles at home with daily massage, either with your hands or a tool. “You always want to massage the skin up—never down—to lift the face,” she says. “A technique I love to use around the mouth and jaw is creating fists with both hands, placing them at the corners of each side of the mouth, and then gliding them upwards with moderate pressure along the cheekbones, until you reach your temples.” Mata notes that while facial massage can be beneficial in evening the skin’s texture and keeping muscles taut, you shouldn’t expect it to make fine lines completely disappear.
Make small lifestyle changes
Consistently practicing good habits—such as getting enough rest, drinking in moderation, and staying hydrated—is essential to keeping skin looking and feeling its healthiest. Just like most skin experts, Bae stresses the importance of wearing sunscreen every day to guard against damaging UV rays. “Daily sunscreen can help preserve your natural collagen and help prevent worsening lines,” she adds.
