Treatments for Smile Lines By Nimit D on November 11, 2013

Call them what you want: smile lines, laugh lines, parentheses, brackets. The deep wrinkles than run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth are often the first sign of aging that most people notice. In the field of plastic surgery, we refer to these lines as nasolabial folds. Although these lines are naturally occurring, even in children, the deeper they get the older you look. And when they become a permanent feature of your face, it may be time to consider nasolabial folds treatment at our Ottawa facial surgery center.

What Causes Nasolabial Folds?

The term "smile lines" can be misleading because although smiling can make these wrinkles develop faster, aging is the main culprit. As we age, our skin loses collagen and elasticity, which leads to sagging. Often, sagging skin is most noticeable around the cheeks and corners of the mouth. The cheeks in particular start to sag because the fat pads that make your cheeks look plump and round start to weaken and detach from the cheekbones. When this happens, the nasolabial fold can become even more prominent.

Non-Surgical Treatment with Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can restore lost volume, reduce sagging and hollowness, and diminish the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles to give you a fresher and more youthful look. Injectable fillers are incredibly effective at reducing the appearance of smile lines by plumping up the deep furrows. The goal is to soften the look of these wrinkles, not eliminate them entirely, for the most natural-looking result.

We are proud to offer patients Restylane® SubQ™ for subtle, non-surgical facial rejuvenation. The Restylane® SubQ™ gel is made of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the human body. This safe dermal filler produces immediate results, has a minimal recovery time, and can last for up to six months.

We also offer Juvederm™Voluma™, which is made of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin to restore lost volume and improve skin elasticity. The instant results are natural-looking and can last for up to 18 months.

Patients who choose dermal fillers often achieve even better results by combining it with Thermage® non-invasive facial tightening treatment. The treatment delivers radio frequency to the deepest layers of the skin, stimulating new collagen production to tighten the facial skin without swelling, bruising, or skin crusting. Results are noticed within a month and can last for years.

Surgical Treatment with a Facelift

Although fillers can soften the appearance of nasolabial folds with little or no downtime, some patients opt for surgery for longer-lasting results. Surgery can also address other concerns, such as sagging skin in the neck and jawline. For many of these patients, a facelift is a great way to restore a youthful appearance to the face and neck. Our cosmetic plastic surgeon, Dr. Brownrigg, has devoted his practice exclusively to facial and neck surgery and offers several types of facelift techniques that are minimally invasive and have faster and more comfortable recovery periods.

Learn More about Nasolabial Folds Treatment

Do your smile lines make you frown? Dr. Brownrigg offers several ways to treat nasolabial folds - from non-invasive methods to surgical solutions. If you are interested in nasolabial fold treatment, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brownrigg today.

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