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Smile Lines (Nasolabial Folds)

Target smile lines and nasolabial folds with advanced non surgical treatments at L’Atelier, Harley Street, London.

What are Smile Lines (Nasolabial Folds)?

Smile lines, also known as nasolabial folds, are the natural creases that run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth.

These lines form gradually and become more noticeable as the skin loses elasticity, volume and support. Over time, deeper folds can develop, giving the mid-face a heavier or more tired appearance even when you feel bright and rested.

At L’Atelier Aesthetics, we take a personalised and clinically led approach to treating smile lines. By assessing volume loss, skin laxity, collagen levels and the overall structure of the mid-face, we design a tailored plan that softens the folds, restores balance and enhances natural facial contours.

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What Causes Smile Lines?

Smile lines develop when the deeper support structures of the mid-face begin to change. As we age, the fat pads shift, collagen decreases and the skin gradually becomes less firm. These changes create more visible creases between the nose and mouth.

Common reasons they appear include:

Loss of mid-face volume:
Reduced cheek support causes the fold to appear deeper.

Skin laxity:
As collagen and elastin decline, the skin becomes less able to stay lifted and smooth.

Changes in facial fat distribution:
Shifting fat pads can make the fold more defined.

Reduced hydration and skin thickness:
Thin skin can cause creases to appear more prominent.

Natural facial anatomy:
Some individuals have more defined smile lines from a young age.

Because everyone ages differently, smile lines vary in depth, shape and severity.

Why Consider Treatment for Smile Lines?

While completely normal, deeper smile lines can create a tired or drawn appearance, even when you feel well-rested. Most patients we see at our Harley Street clinic don’t want to remove expression altogether. They simply want to soften the shadow that deeper folds create, so their face better reflects how they actually feel.

Deeper nasolabial folds can also contribute to the appearance of jowling or a downturned mouth, which is why at L’atelier Aesthetics we often address smile lines as part of a wider facial rejuvenation approach rather than in isolation.

Booking a consultation is the best way to understand what is driving the change and which approach may be right for you.

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Our Treatment Options

Every case of smile lines is unique. After your consultation, we will recommend the most suitable treatment or combination to soften the folds, restore support and improve the overall balance of the mid-face.

Juläine Bio-Stimulator

Juläine stimulates long-term collagen production in the mid-face.
It helps strengthen deeper structural support, making it a good option for smile lines caused by reduced elasticity or early tissue descent.

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 uses radiofrequency microneedling to remodel collagen and tighten the mid-face.
It helps improve deeper, more etched-in smile lines and enhances the overall firmness of the skin.

Polynucleotides

Polynucleotides help strengthen the delicate skin around the nose and mouth.
They improve elasticity, hydration and collagen production, making them ideal for softening early smile lines or enhancing overall skin quality in this area.

Salmon DNA Injections

(Polynucleotides) are a great treatment which can be repeated on a regular basis to maintain your desired result.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are the most effective treatment for deeper smile lines.
By restoring subtle volume and support in the mid-face, fillers help smooth the fold and lift the surrounding tissue, creating a fresher and more balanced appearance without overfilling.

Skin Boosters

Skin boosters deliver deep hydration and help improve the appearance of fine creasing around the fold.
They are especially effective for clients with early smile lines or those experiencing dryness or textural changes.

FaceTite Treatment

FaceTite is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency-assisted contouring to tighten and lift sagging tissue.
It is suitable for clients with more significant laxity contributing to deep smile lines.

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Frequently Asked Questions with Smile Lines

Ask us a question
What causes smile lines?

Smile lines form as the skin loses elasticity, mid-face volume decreases and deeper support structures begin to descend. Genetics, collagen decline and hydration levels all play a role in how early and how prominently they appear.

What is the best treatment for smile lines?

It depends on the depth and cause of the folds:

  • Dermal fillers for deeper or more established folds

  • Polynucleotides for strengthening and improving skin quality

  • Skin boosters for hydration and fine creases

  • Juläine® bio-stimulator for deeper collagen support

  • Morpheus8 for etched-in lines and mid-face tightening

  • Microneedling for surface texture and early folds

  • Sofwave for non-invasive tightening

  • FaceTite for moderate to severe laxity

Your clinician will recommend the ideal combination after assessing your facial structure.

  • Anti-wrinkle injections for prominent neck bands

  • Microneedling for surface texture

Your clinician will recommend the most appropriate combination.

Do smile lines always need filler?

No. While dermal fillers are highly effective for deeper folds, some clients benefit more from skin quality treatments, tightening devices or collagen-stimulating injectables. A personalised assessment determines the best option.

Your practitioner will outline a personalised plan.

How long do results last?
  • Dermal fillers: 9–18 months

  • Polynucleotides: 6–12 months

  • Skin boosters: around 6 months

  • Juläine: up to 18 months

  • Morpheus8: 1–2 years

  • Sofwave: around 1 year

  • FaceTite: 1–3 years

  • Microneedling: cumulative results over a course

Maintenance treatments help prolong your results.

Will treatment make my face look overfilled?

No. At L’Atelier, fillers are placed strategically to restore support rather than add bulk. The aim is to refresh the mid-face and soften the fold while keeping your natural facial contours intact.

Is there downtime?

Downtime varies depending on the treatment:

  • Fillers: minor swelling or redness for 24–48 hours

  • Morpheus8 / FaceTite: a few days of sensitivity or swelling

  • Sofwave: no downtime

  • Microneedling: pinkness for up to 48 hours

  • Polynucleotides / skin boosters: small bumps that settle quickly

Most clients return to normal activities on the same day or next day.

Does smiling make smile lines worse?

Smiling itself does not cause wrinkles .
The lines become more visible as structural support naturally declines with age. Treatments focus on restoring volume, elasticity and firmness without affecting your natural expressions.

Can I combine treatments?

Yes. Many clients achieve the best results using a combination such as filler & polynucleotides, Morpheus8 & skin boosters, or Sofwave & Juläine depending on their degree of laxity and skin quality.


Your Harley Street Experience

At L’Atelier, we take a thoughtful and clinically led approach to treating smile lines, looking closely at the changes in skin elasticity, volume support and collagen structure that contribute to the depth of the folds. We also assess hydration levels, mid-face descent, skin quality and natural facial anatomy to understand exactly why the lines have formed and how they behave. With this detailed insight, we create a personalised treatment plan designed to restore support, soften the folds, improve texture and enhance the overall balance of the mid-face. Our aim is to achieve natural, subtle and long lasting rejuvenation while maintaining your unique facial expression and contours.


 

Meet your Expert

Dr Duncan Brennand is the Lead Aesthetic Physician at L’Atelier Aesthetics and has extensive experience in advanced injectable treatments, mid-face rejuvenation and collagen-stimulating therapies. He can specialise in assessing the underlying causes of smile lines, including volume loss, skin laxity and changes in facial structure, allowing him to tailor treatments with precision and natural-looking results.

With a deep understanding of facial anatomy and the dynamics of the mid-face, Dr Brennand carefully evaluates how the cheeks, skin quality and deeper support structures contribute to the depth of the folds. He combines treatments such as dermal fillers, polynucleotides, skin boosters, Morpheus8 and bio-stimulators to restore balance and soften smile lines without altering your natural expression. His personalised, clinically guided approach ensures subtle, refined and long lasting rejuvenation.

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We always value your feedback. You can read all our patient reviews on our Google Profile.

We are delighted to have over 200+ 5 star reviews. Your feedback is always important to us, as it helps us to improve our systems and processes in our continual pursuit of excellence. If you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns please get in touch.

The clinic is welcoming and impeccably run; appointments start on time, the environment is calming, and attention to detail is evident in every touch. I always leave feeling well cared for. As a patient, I truly love this place and wholeheartedly recommend Duncan and his team to anyone seeking compassionate, expert care.
My first time ever getting a facial and it was honestly one of the most relaxing experiences of my life. Highly recommend✨
I first discovered L’Atelier around 3 years ago, it was the first time I had tried aesthetic and skin treatments. I was looking for a clinic where I could feel comfortable to ask questions and achieve tasteful results and I was incredibly happy! It’s been a while since I have been able to have treatments and haven’t even thought of going anywhere else until I can get back to L’Atelier. If you’re looking for tasteful aesthetic treatments, stop looking, you have found your clinic! Emma, Duncan and the team are always so lovely.
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Introducing Regen3 Microneedling.

A new regenerative microneedling treatment designed to support skin repair, recovery and overall skin quality, with each protocol tailored to your individual skin concern.

Regen3 combines SkinPen microneedling with targeted NEWDERM formulas powered by advanced regenerative ingredients, including exosomes, PDRN/polynucleotides and biomimetic peptides.

There are four targeted protocols to choose from:
Age Control | hydration + rejuvenation
Bright | pigmentation + uneven tone
Eye | dark circles + fine lines
Lift | firmness + elasticity

Each protocol includes a course of 4 in-clinic microneedling sessions, alongside a matching take-home serum to support your results between appointments.

Now available at L’Atelier Aesthetics.

To find out which protocol is most suitable for your skin, book a consultation via the link in bio.

#Regen3 #MicroneedlingLondon #SkinPen #ExosomeMicroneedling #Polynucleotides PDRN PeptideSkincare SkinRegeneration CollagenInductionTherapySofwave is our go-to for non-surgical skin tightening, you can’t beat it! If you would like more info, head to our website to see if it’s suitable for you or drop us a DM

#GotLift #GotLiftDay2025 #SofwaveEvery face moves differently, which is why we tailor each treatment to suit your features, muscles, movement and desired result. The goal is always refreshed and balanced results that still look like you 

If you’d like to come in for a consultation feel free to DM us, WhatsApp us or book online as this shows our live availability 💉

#botoxtreatment #botoxbetoreandafter #antiwrinkletreatment #antiwrinkleinjections #antiagainga good routine should feel simple, realistic and easy to stay consistent with.

when your skincare is chosen properly, every step has a purpose 🧴

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How to find us?

Our clinic is located on Harley Street in Marylebone, London, one of the world’s most prestigious and historic medical districts. Situated within 101 Harley Street, our clinic offers a discreet and refined setting in the heart of Central London, renowned for its concentration of leading medical and aesthetic specialists.

We welcome patients from across Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia, Regent’s Park, Soho, Knightsbridge, Belgravia, Chelsea and Kensington, as well as visitors travelling to London for specialist aesthetic and skin treatments. Our location benefits from excellent transport links, with Oxford Circus only a 13 minute walk away, Bond Street and Regent’s Park Underground stations are also both within easy reach. The clinic is also conveniently accessible from major London rail stations and Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports thanks to the Elizabeth line, making visits straightforward for both UK and international patients.

Whether you are travelling from within London or further afield, our Harley Street clinic provides a calm, professional environment for personalised aesthetic and skin health treatments in one of the capital’s most respected medical locations.

Opening hours
Monday
9 am–5 pm
Tuesday
9 am–7 pm
Wednesday
9 am–5 pm
Thursday
9 am–7 pm
Friday
9 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–3 pm
Sunday
Closed
L'Atelier Aesthetics
101 Harley St, London W1G 6AH
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