Smile lines, or Nasolabial Folds, are lines that form on each side of the nose and extend to the corners of the mouth. They are a natural part of aging and become more noticeable after years of repetitive facial expressions like smiling, smoking, and excessive sun damage, causing the skin to lose its elasticity and volume over time. They are often called laugh lines because they can become more apparent when we smile.
Many factors contribute to the appearance and deepening of nasolabial folds. As we age, cheekbones can flatten, and the effects of gravity become more pronounced, pulling down on looser skin. This is because the skin’s supply of collagen and elastin diminishes, which gives it elasticity and the ability to maintain its shape.
Factors like smoking and prolonged exposure to the sun can also destroy collagen and elastin in your skin. Fluctuations in weight can also play a role. Significant weight loss might leave an individual with sagging skin, while weight gain could lead to fuller cheeks. Both scenarios can further highlight the presence of smile lines.
Nasolabial folds can be effectively treated through surgical and non-surgical options, depending on the severity of the wrinkles and if there are any additional areas you would like to correct during the process.
Botox is a purified protein approved by the FDA and Health Canada, which relaxes specific muscles responsible for animation.
Pricing: At SpaMedica, we base our charges on the number of units of wrinkle relaxers used during the treatment. If you want your treatment performed by Dr. Amber Chen, the cost per unit for the first 60 units is $18.00. The injection nurses personally trained by Dr. Chen are between $8.99 and $12.00 per unit injected.
Procedure Time: The typical time for your procedure is roughly 15-30 minutes.
Recovery Time: Recovery is relatively swift, lasting about 3 hours. Most return to work or regular activities immediately after!
While SpaMedica offers many popular dermal fillers, there are ones that are typically used around the mouth. These include Juvederm, Radiesse, Restalyne, and Sculptra. The type of dermal filler used for your smile line treatment will be decided during your consultation.
Average Price: During your consultation, you can discuss different dermal filler options, their costs, and your budget and aesthetic goals.
Procedure Time: The relevant time will depend on your aesthetic goals and treatment but will generally take about an hour.
Recovery Time: The recovery time for a dermal filler treatment usually takes about one to two days, but you can resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure.
Laser skin resurfacing is another popular choice to eliminate pesky smile lines, especially when used with injectables.
Morpheus8 uses 24 silicone-coated needles to deliver radiofrequency pulses that tighten tissue, coagulate fat, and boost collagen production. This non-invasive anti-aging procedure contours the face for a refined appearance.
Average Price: The average Morpheus8 procedure starts at $2,500. Please get in touch with us for a more accurate cost.
Procedure Time: It can take up to an hour to complete, depending on the areas treated.
Recovery Time: With Morpheus8’s non-invasive procedure, there’s minimal recovery, but patients are advised to rest for 3-5 days post-treatment.
Fractora™ is a non-invasive treatment targeting smile lines by using fractional radiofrequency technology. It deploys 24 silicone needles that introduce radiofrequency energy deep into the skin, prompting collagen renewal and skin rejuvenation.
Average Price: A Fractora treatment begins at $2,999, varying based on skin type and treatment area size.
Procedure Time: A single Fractora treatment for patients takes approximately 1 hour.
Recovery Time: After a Fractora session, most patients can resume activities immediately. Though mild redness may last 24 hours, aggressive settings could need 5-7 days of recovery.
You can opt for surgical treatment for a more permanent solution to smile lines and other aging signs on the face.
A facelift, medically known as a rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the face by removing excess skin and tightening the underlying tissues and muscles. It primarily addresses aging signs in the mid to lower face and neck.
Average Price: At SpaMedica in Toronto, a facelift starts at $16,999, while mini facelifts and thread lifts begin at $11,999 and $6,999, respectively.
Procedure Time: While the time of this procedure varies depending on the type of facelift, it typically takes four hours.
Recovery Time: Again, depending on the procedure the recovery time can take anywhere from 4-21 days.
A cheek lift, also known as a mid-facelift, is a surgical procedure that elevates the cheeks to restore youthful fullness. It addresses issues like sunken cheeks, loss of mid-face volume, jowls, loose skin, and under-eye bags.
Average Price: Typically, a cheek lift procedure costs $16,999, varying based on the selected approach.
Procedure Time: Depending on the patient, a cheek lift at SpaMedica takes an hour to complete.
Recovery Time: Recovery from a cheek lift typically takes up to two weeks.
A thread lift, specifically the injection Thread Lift at SpaMedica, is a minimally invasive, Health Canada-approved facelift technique pioneered by Dr. Mulholland. Dr. Bell inserts suspension threads into areas of the face requiring lifting and then pulls on these barbed sutures to elevate and secure the skin. This method tightens sagging skin without removing it, resulting in quicker recovery and natural-looking outcomes.
Average Price: A thread lift cost starts at $8,999 and can be paired with other procedures, such as a facelift or neck lift.
Procedure Time: A thread lift takes anywhere from one to two hours to complete.
Recovery Time: Recovery from this procedure takes approximately two weeks.
Incorporating a comprehensive skincare routine, which ensures hydration and elasticity, can help with skin degradation.
Sun exposure accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, essential proteins for skin structure, so sun protection is vital. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even on cloudy days, and incorporating hats and sunglasses can significantly reduce UV-induced damage.
Additionally, embracing a lifestyle rich in antioxidants through diet or topical treatments can combat free radical damage, another contributor to skin aging.
Showcase before-and-after photos or link to the gallery.
Dimples and smile lines are both facial features but have distinct anatomical differences. Dimples are small, natural indentations on the cheeks or chin, often becoming more pronounced when a person smiles. Dimples are generally caused by a minor defect in the zygomaticus major muscle, leading to the skin being pulled inward during facial movements.
Smile Lines, on the other hand, result from skin laxity and the loss of facial fat and collagen over time, combined with repetitive facial expressions.
Several factors can contribute to the early appearance of nasolabial folds:
Genetic Factors: If your parents or close family members developed nasolabial folds at a younger age, you might be genetically predisposed to have them too.
Lifestyle Choices: Habits like smoking, excessive sun exposure without protection, and poor skincare routines can accelerate skin aging, leading to earlier development of these folds.
Other Reasons: Factors like rapid weight loss, which can cause loss of facial volume, or chronic illnesses can also play a role in their premature appearance.
The longevity of fillers in treating smile lines depends on the type of filler used:
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: Such as Juvederm or Restylane, can last from 6 to 18 months, depending on the specific product and individual factors.
Poly-L-lactic Acid Fillers: Like Sculptra, stimulate your skin to produce more collagen and can last up to two years or more.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers: Such as Radiesse, have a thicker consistency and can last up to 12 to 18 months.
Remember, individual metabolism, the specific product used, the amount injected, and the injector’s skill can all influence the duration of the filler’s effect.
SpaMedica offers a variety of both surgical and nonsurgical solutions for smile lines. In order to determine the best treatment option for you and learn about the risks and considerations for each procedure, contact us today to schedule a consultation!
Works to relax the facial muscles that are responsible for facial movement, reducing and softening signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
A soft tissue dermal filler for facial contour augmentation, for lip enhancement, and improve the appearance of wrinkles.
A soft tissue filler used to create a more youthful appearance by replacing lost collagen to smooth out facial wrinkles and folds.
Juvederm, one of the most popular dermal fillers available, used to soften lines, wrinkles & add volume lost through the aging process.
Morpheus8 treatments are some of the most advanced radiofrequency skin rejuvenation treatments that is available.
Fractora is a fractional skin resurfacing and subdermal tissue coagulation tool that is utilized to enhance the results of fractional lasers and surgical procedures.
For a restored facial appearance with a tight and youthful contour, a facelift will tighten the neck muscles and remove excess facial skin.
