top treatments for laugh lines
Smile lines and laugh lines sound like reminders of life’s joyful and happy moments, but to you, they may not be a laughing matter. Lines and indentations around the corners of your mouth and/or eyes can make you look older, sadder or more tired than you really are.
If you are bothered by laugh lines or smile lines, Dr. Erwin Bulan and our team can help. Before we explain the available solutions, let’s take a look at what causes these pesky lines and wrinkles.
WHAT CAUSES LAUGH LINES?
The phrases “laugh lines” and “smile lines” are frequently (and often interchangeably) used to describe wrinkles, folds and creases around the eyes and mouth.
Certain laugh lines and smile lines, known as dynamic wrinkles, form from repetitive movements like talking, puckering the lips and smiling. Making these movements causes specific facial muscles to contract; these repeated muscle contractions eventually lead to the formation of permanent indentations in the overlying skin.
Other laugh lines and smile lines fall under the category of static wrinkles, meaning they are still visible when the face is at rest. Static laugh lines and smile lines can form due to age-related changes in the quality of the skin or fat displacement, smoking, overexposure to the sun and genetic factors.
SAFE, EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR LAUGH LINES
Moderate to severe laugh lines and smile lines (including nasolabial folds around the nose and mouth) are often treated with injections of dermal fillers. The dermal fillers provide almost instant volume and support to the skin; as a result, lines and creases become less visible. Dermal fillers can be administered quickly, and the effects usually last six to nine months or more. Touch-up treatments are required to maintain the effects.
The injectable known as Botox is a suitable solution for dynamic wrinkles — particularly those around the corners of the eyes. The neurotoxin temporarily relaxes specific facial muscles to soften the overlying line or crease. Botox typically lasts three to six months.
Laser skin resurfacing is another safe and effective treatment for the reduction of laugh lines and smile lines. Some lasers ablate, or remove, the outer layer of damaged, wrinkled skin to reveal smooth, healthy skin. Others generate a heat response in the deep layers of tissue to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin for smoother, tighter skin. (Some lasers do both.) Depending on the type of laser used, treatment is usually slightly more invasive than dermal filler injections; however, the results last longer.
CONSULT WITH OUR TEAM
No matter which approach you take to treating laugh lines, it is imperative that you find a qualified, experienced provider. The right provider can explore your options with you and determine the right fit for your facial anatomy and goals.
To request an appointment to discuss laugh line treatments with Dr. Bulan and our team, please contact our office today.
