No, smile lines exercises haven’t been shown to reduce nasolabial folds. The only published trial of facial exercise reported fuller cheeks after 20 weeks, which might soften the fold slightly, but it was small, uncontrolled and didn’t measure folds. Massage, gua sha and rollers can briefly reduce puffiness. They don’t change the fat, ligaments and bone that shape the fold.
This guide is part of our smile lines overview, which explains why folds form.
Short answer
Exercise can build muscle under the cheek, but folds come mostly from sagging, volume loss and skin changes that exercise can’t reverse.
A 2024 anatomy review describes three causes of nasolabial folds: volume loss beside the nose, sagging cheek tissue over a firmly attached lower edge, and muscles that pull the skin when you smile. Working those same lip-lifting muscles harder doesn’t relax that pull. Mayo Clinic notes that repeated expressions help turn grooves into lasting lines as skin loses flexibility.
| Method | Real effect | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Face yoga or facial exercise | Possibly fuller cheeks | One small study without a control group |
| Massage | Short-term reduced puffiness | No fold studies found |
| Gua sha or jade roller | Short-term reduced puffiness | No fold studies found |
| Sunscreen and retinoid | Better skin quality over months | Clinical trials for wrinkles |
| Filler or lift | Visible softening of the fold | Clinical trials |
Exercises
Facial exercises for smile lines are low-risk, and one study found fuller cheeks, but nobody has shown that they flatten a fold.
In a 2018 JAMA Dermatology study, women aged 40 to 65 did 32 facial exercises for 30 minutes daily for eight weeks, then on alternate days to week 20. Of 27 who enrolled, 16 finished. Dermatologists rated upper and lower cheek fullness as improved, and estimated age fell from 50.8 to 48.1 years. A co-author founded the exercise program, there was no control group, and the folds themselves weren’t scored.
Popular smile lines face yoga routines, including branded programs such as Koko face yoga smile lines videos, usually include:
- Cheek puff: fill the cheeks with air and move it side to side for 30 seconds.
- Cheek lift: smile with closed lips while pressing fingertips gently upward on the cheekbones.
- Fish face: suck in the cheeks and hold for a few seconds.
If you enjoy a smile lines workout, there’s little harm. Just don’t expect face yoga to remove smile lines. In my practice, patients who do daily face yoga often report fresher-looking skin, but I don’t see a measurable change in their folds.
Gua sha and jade roller
Smile lines gua sha, jade rollers and facial massage may move fluid and ease puffiness, but the effect lasts hours, not months.
We found no clinical study showing that gua sha or a jade roller for smile lines changes fold depth. A smile lines facial massage can feel pleasant and may reduce morning swelling. Use light pressure, a slippery oil or serum, and strokes from the centre of the face outward. Pressing hard can bruise thin skin, and dragging skin downward does no good.
Limits
Exercises won’t fix sagging, bone shape or deep volume loss; filler, laser or surgery address those causes directly.
For lasting change, see our guide on how to get rid of smile lines. Better habits include daily SPF 30 sunscreen, a retinoid and not smoking, covered in skincare for smile lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on gua sha for smile lines, massage techniques, how long face yoga takes and whether exercise can make lines worse.
Does gua sha help smile lines?
Not in a lasting way. Gua sha may reduce puffiness for a few hours by moving fluid, which can make the fold look slightly softer in the morning. No study we found shows it changes fold depth. Use gentle pressure to avoid bruising.
What smile lines massage techniques are safe?
Use clean hands or tools, a facial oil or serum for glide, light pressure and strokes from the nose outward toward the ears. Avoid broken skin, active acne or recent filler areas. Stop if it hurts or leaves redness that lasts.
How long does face yoga take to work?
In the one published study, participants exercised 30 minutes daily for eight weeks, then every other day to 20 weeks, before raters saw fuller cheeks. Folds weren’t measured, so there’s no timeline for smile lines specifically.
Can facial exercises make smile lines worse?
There’s no evidence they deepen folds. Repeated expressions do contribute to lines over many years, according to Mayo Clinic, so exercises that involve exaggerated smiling aren’t likely to help. Gentle routines are unlikely to cause harm.
If you’d like to know what would actually soften 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
- Alam M, et al. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(3):365-367. jamanetwork.com
- Hong GW, Song S, Park SY, et al. Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Exploring the Anatomical Perspectives and the Role of Thread-Based Interventions. Diagnostics. 2024;14(7):716. mdpi.com
- Wrinkles: Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. 2023. mayoclinic.org
- Kafi R, Kwak HSR, Schumacher WE, et al. Improvement of naturally aged skin with vitamin A (retinol). Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(5):606-612. pure.johnshopkins.edu
- Li MY, Chien WY, Kang YN, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Fillers for the Treatment of Nasolabial Folds: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2024. link.springer.com
