The right smile lines treatment depends on the cause. Filler suits volume loss, and laser resurfacing improves fine creases in the skin. Subcision releases tethered skin under the fold. Fat transfer adds lasting volume, and a midface lift or facelift repositions sagging cheeks. Botox is rarely used, because relaxing the lip-lifting muscles can flatten your smile.
This guide is part of our smile lines overview. For hyaluronic acid filler in depth, see our smile lines filler guide.
Treatment comparison table
Compare smile lines around mouth treatment options by cost, recovery, how long results last, risks and who each one suits.
| Treatment | US cost guide | Recovery | Lasts | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HA filler | Average $715 (2023) | Days | About 9 to 12 months | Volume loss |
| Laser resurfacing | Average $1,829 (2023) | About 1 to 2 weeks | Long-lasting with sun care | Fine lines, skin texture |
| Subcision | Clinic-dependent | A few days | At least 6 months in one study | Tethered, creased folds |
| Fat transfer | $3,000 to $5,500 (2024 range) | Weeks of swelling | Variable | Volume loss, wanting own tissue |
| Facelift or midface lift | Facelift $12,000 to $19,000 (2024 range) | About 2 weeks | Years | Sagging cheeks, heavy folds |
Costs are physician fees reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US) and exclude anaesthesia and facility fees.
Laser
Laser smile lines removal smooths creased skin around the fold but doesn’t lift sagging cheek tissue or fill a deep groove.
ASPS says laser skin resurfacing can reduce facial wrinkles, scars and blemishes. Healing takes up to two weeks after CO2 resurfacing and about one week after erbium. Treated skin stays pink and fades over two to three months, sometimes taking up to a year. Daily sunscreen afterward is part of the treatment. Laser works well alongside filler, since each fixes a different layer.
Subcision
Subcision and filler for deep nasolabial folds combine releasing the skin’s tethering bands with adding volume underneath.
Subcision passes a fine needle under the fold to cut fibrous bands pulling the skin down. In a 2015 study of 16 patients, 13 (81.25%) had moderate improvement at one month, and 13 kept at least mild improvement at six months. No side effects lasted more than a few days. The authors called for larger, controlled studies. Filler is often added afterward to fill the released space, though the evidence for the combination is limited.
Fat transfer
Autologous fat transfer to smile lines before and after results show fuller cheeks and a softer fold, but some fat is always reabsorbed.
Fat is taken by liposuction, purified and injected. A 2015 study of nine patients aged 55 to 72 found the fold improved immediately, then the deficit gradually returned over six months; adding platelet gel kept more of the result. Swelling, bruising and tenderness were common on the fat-only side. Fat isn’t dissolvable, so overcorrection is harder to fix than with filler. ASPS lists facial fat grafting among the most common procedures in people over 70.
Midface lift
Smile lines surgery (a midface lift or facelift) repositions sagging cheek tissue and suits deep folds that filler can’t correct.
ASPS describes a facelift as improving deep nasolabial folds, fallen fat and jowls. A consultant plastic surgeon at Nuffield Health (UK) recommends a facelift or mid-facelift for overhanging sagging that fillers can’t fix. Endoscopic midface lift for smile lines removal uses small incisions and a camera to lift the cheek; we found no comparative outcome data for it. A 2012 study found nasolabial improvement after facelift held up well at about five years. See our facelift overview.
In my practice, I recommend surgery only when gently lifting the cheek in a mirror clearly erases most of the fold. If it doesn’t, the problem is volume, not sagging.
Cost
Expect smile lines removal costs to range from a few hundred dollars per filler session to five figures for surgery, before facility and anaesthesia fees.
Filler and laser need repeat sessions, so compare five-year costs, not single prices. Surgery costs more at first but lasts longer. For a wider view of non-surgical options across the face, see our facial rejuvenation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on Botox for smile lines, removal cost, laser, non-surgical options and whether face yoga removes smile lines.
Does Botox work for smile lines?
Rarely. US approved uses for Botox Cosmetic include frown lines, crow’s feet, forehead lines and neck bands, not nasolabial folds. Relaxing the muscles that lift the lip can flatten or lengthen the smile, so most doctors use filler or other options instead.
How much does smile lines removal cost?
ASPS 2023 averages were $715 per HA filler treatment and $1,829 for skin resurfacing. A facelift ranged from $12,000 to $19,000 in 2024. Prices exclude anaesthesia and facility fees and vary by country and clinic.
Is laser good for smile lines removal?
Laser helps fine creases and skin texture around the fold. It doesn’t fill volume or lift the cheek, so deep folds usually need filler or surgery as well. Expect one to two weeks of healing and pinkness for months.
Which non-surgical smile lines removal works well?
For most people, hyaluronic acid filler gives the clearest non-surgical change, with laser and retinoids for skin quality. Subcision can help creased folds. The right choice depends on whether the fold comes from volume loss, sagging or muscle pull.
Can face yoga remove smile lines?
There’s no good evidence it does. A small 2018 study of facial exercise reported fuller cheeks, but it had no control group and didn’t measure nasolabial folds. Our exercises guide explains what it can and can’t do.
If you’d like to know which treatment fits your folds, you can book a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For causes and types, return to the smile lines hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Robati RM, Abdollahimajd F, Robati AM. Evaluation of Subcision for the Correction of the Prominent Nasolabial Folds. Dermatol Res Pract. 2015;2015:976153. doaj.org
- Ghasemi B, Tabaie SM, Azizjalali M, et al. Injection of Autologous Fat Alone and in Combination With Autologous Platelet Gel for Nasolabial Fold Augmentation. J Skin Stem Cell. 2015;2(3):e35681. brieflands.com
- Laser skin resurfacing recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). plasticsurgery.org
- Facelift. ASPS. plasticsurgery.org
- Nose to mouth lines: How to correct smile lines both surgically and non-surgically. Nuffield Health. 2026. nuffieldhealth.com
- Journal report finds patients still look younger five years after facelift surgery. ASPS. 2012. plasticsurgery.org
- BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Prescribing Information. AbbVie. rxabbvie.com
- 2023 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. ASPS. 2024. plasticsurgery.org
- 2024 Cosmetic Procedures: Average Cost. ASPS. 2025. plasticsurgery.org
- Alam M, et al. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(3):365-367. jamanetwork.com
