Smile lines — the grooves running from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth (also called nasolabial folds) — are a natural part of facial expression. Over time they can become deeper due to lost volume, collagen breakdown, repetitive movement, and gravity. For many people, enhancing the area with dermal fillers restores a smoother, younger-looking balance while preserving natural expression.
This guide explains everything you need to know about smile line filler: how it works, who’s a good candidate, the different products and techniques, what the treatment feels like, how long results last, common side effects and how to treat them, and practical aftercare tips. If you’re in Newcastle upon Tyne or the surrounding areas and want a professional, tailored approach, My Aesthetics Lounge offers smile line filler treatments performed by qualified advanced aesthetic experts. Book a consultation today.
Quick overview: what are smile lines and why do they form?
Smile lines are caused by a combination of factors:
- Volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face (as fat pads and bone diminish with age).
- Collagen and elastin depletion, which reduces skin thickness and resilience.
- Repeated facial movements (smiling, laughing) that crease the skin over time.
- Lifestyle and environmental factors such as sun exposure, smoking, poor sleep and nutrition.
- Genetics and facial anatomy — some people develop more prominent lines earlier.
Treating smile lines with dermal fillers restores volume and supports the overlying skin, softening the crease without freezing expression.
How do smile line fillers work?
Most modern smile line treatment use hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers. HA is a naturally occurring molecule in the skin that binds water and provides structure. When placed strategically:
- Fillers raise the depressed fold, smoothing the transition between cheek and upper lip.
- Volume restoration in the mid-face can indirectly reduce the prominence of nasolabial folds (lifting from below).
- The filler can act as a scaffold that supports the skin and stimulates a modest local collagen response over time.
A skilled injector evaluates whether the fold should be treated directly (small amounts into the fold) or indirectly (volumising the cheek, temple or mid-face to reduce tension across the line). In many cases a combined approach gives the most natural result with less product.
Types of fillers commonly used for smile lines
Not all fillers are the same. Key differences matter for both safety and aesthetics:
- Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers (most common): reversible with hyaluronidase, versatile, used for both direct fold correction and mid-face volumising. Brands vary in gel firmness (G’) — firmer gels lift better; softer gels integrate smoothly.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA): thicker, provides structural lift and stimulates collagen. Often used for deeper volume restoration but is not reversible with hyaluronidase.
- Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA, e.g., Sculptra): stimulates slow collagen growth — is used for broader volume loss rather than targeted fold correction.
- Permanent fillers (rarely recommended): have higher long-term risk profile and are generally not first-line for nasolabial folds.
At My Aesthetics Lounge we only use quality fillers for smile lines due to their safety, reversibility, and predictable outcomes. Your injector will select the product based on anatomy, desired lift, skin thickness and movement.
Placement strategies and techniques
A natural outcome depends more on technique than on volume:
- Direct (superficial) placement: small boluses just under the skin along the fold to physically fill the crease. Best for early to moderate lines. Risk: lumps or visibility if placed too superficially.
- Deep placement and structural lift: placing firmer filler in the mid-face/cheek malar area to lift the soft tissues that pull on the smile line. Often requires less filler in the fold itself and gives a more harmonious result.
- Cannula vs needle: Many practitioners prefer a blunt cannula for safety and decreased bruising when placing deeper support. Needles can be used for precise superficial placement but carry a slightly higher risk of vessel puncture if not used by experienced clinicians.
- Layered approach: combining deep structural support with superficial refinement provides smoothness and natural movement.
A thorough facial assessment and anatomical mapping are essential to determine the right plan.
How long do smile line fillers last?
Longevity varies depending on:
- Type of filler (HA vs CaHA vs PLLA)
- Product firmness and cross-linking
- Injection depth and placement
- Individual metabolism and lifestyle (smokers/metabolically active people may see earlier breakdown)
- Amount used
Typical ranges:
- HA fillers: 9–18 months in the nasolabial region (firmer gels often last longer).
- CaHA: often 12–18 months or more, with collagen stimulation contributing beyond the product’s resorption.
- PLLA: results develop gradually and can last 2+ years, but requires a treatment course.
At My Aesthetics Lounge, we set realistic expectations and design maintenance plans tailored to your goals.
Does it hurt? pain management explained
Pain levels for smile line filler are generally mild to moderate and manageable. Factors that reduce discomfort:
- Topical numbing cream applied 20–30 minutes before treatment.
- Mixing lidocaine in the filler (many modern fillers include it).
- Use of microcannula reduces multiple needle punctures.
- Calm clinic environment and experienced injector technique.
Most clients describe a pressure sensation or brief stinging during injection. Numbing plus post-treatment cooling makes the experience well tolerated. If you are anxious, discuss additional options (oral analgesics or mild anxiolytics) with your clinician before the appointment.
Common side effects & how long they last
Most side effects are short-lived and predictable:
- Swelling: common, often peaks 24–48 hours and subsides over 7–10 days.
- Bruising: variable; can last 5–14 days depending on individual tendency and medications.
- Tenderness & redness: typically resolve within a few days.
- Minor asymmetry or palpable lumps: often settle as product integrates; sometimes follow-up massage or minor adjustment resolves them.
Serious but rare complications include vascular occlusion (when filler is accidentally injected into an artery), which can cause skin blanching, pain and in severe cases tissue loss. This is why choosing an experienced, medically trained injector and a clinic with emergency protocols (including hyaluronidase on-site) is critical.
At My Aesthetics Lounge we prioritise safety: careful anatomical mapping, conservative volumes, cannula use where appropriate, and immediate access to reversal agents and protocols.
Aftercare: practical, clinic-proven steps
Proper aftercare helps reduce swelling, bruising and complications, and speeds recovery:
Immediately after treatment (first 24–48 hours):
- Apply a cool compress gently to reduce swelling (avoid vigorous massaging).
- Keep head elevated when sleeping the first night.
- Avoid heavy exercise, saunas, hot baths and alcohol for 24–48 hours.
- Skip wearing tight facial garments or masks that press into the treated area for 24 hours.
48–72 hours onward:
- Continue gentle cleansing and moisturising.
- Use SPF daily — sun exposure can worsen inflammation and pigment changes.
- Avoid aggressive facials, peels and abrasive exfoliation for 2 weeks.
- If bruising occurs, makeup concealers are usually okay after the first 24 hours if the skin is intact.
When to contact your clinic:
- Sudden severe pain, worsening pallor or blue-grey discoloration, or signs of infection (spreading redness, fever). These require immediate review.
We provide written aftercare instructions and follow-ups to ensure your recovery and outcomes are optimal.
How much filler is usually needed?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer; treatment is personalised. Typical guidance:
- Early/moderate lines: 0.5–1.0 mL per side may be sufficient when combined with mid-face support.
- Deeper, long-standing folds: 1.0–2.0 mL per side (or staged sessions) might be used depending on anatomy.
- Maintenance top-ups: often 6–12 months after initial treatment, smaller volumes maintain results.
Your injector should avoid over-corrections on the first visit; gradual build-up over two sessions often looks more natural and reduces complication risks.
Who is a good candidate — and who needs caution?
Good candidates:
- Adults with static or dynamic smile lines who want a natural correction.
- People in generally good health without active infections near the mouth.
- Those seeking reversible, non-surgical improvement.
Proceed with caution or delay if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding (most clinics defer elective fillers).
- You’ve had recent isotretinoin (Accutane) — usually advised to wait a period as per medical guidance.
- You have autoimmune conditions, bleeding disorders or are on anticoagulant medication — discuss with your prescriber.
- You have active cold sores or local infection (treat and clear first).
A thorough medical review is part of every consultation at My Aesthetics Lounge.
Realistic timeline & follow-ups
- Day 0: Treatment; immediate improvement but with early swelling.
- Day 1–7: Swelling and bruising may peak then settle.
- Week 2: Most swelling reduced; result starts to look natural.
- Week 4–6: Final assessment; any touch-ups can be scheduled at this point.
- Months 6–12: Monitor for filler longevity; maintenance planned according to product and lifestyle.
We usually schedule a review at 2 weeks and at 6–8 weeks to confirm results and address any refinements.
Cost considerations in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Surrounding
Costs depend on the product used, injector expertise, clinic location and volume required. Smile line filler is commonly priced per syringe; advanced techniques and specialist injectors may carry a premium. Importantly, prioritise safety and experience over the cheapest price — regrettable outcomes from low-cost providers can be costly to correct. My Aesthetics Lounge provides transparent pricing, consultations and tailored packages for Newcastle clients.
Questions clients often ask (FAQs)
Will smile line filler look natural?
Yes — when performed conservatively with attention to facial balance, fillers should restore softness and contour, not create obvious “filled” looks.
Can fillers be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme (hyaluronidase) in the rare event of an unsatisfactory result or complication. This reversibility is a major safety advantage.
Can I combine smile line filler with other treatments?
Yes. Combining mid-face volumisation, skin boosters, or energy-based skin tightening can produce longer-lasting, more harmonious outcomes. Your injector will recommend sequencing and timing.
Is there scarring?
No — filler injections are minimally invasive and rarely cause scarring when performed by trained clinicians.
Why choose My Aesthetics Lounge in Newcastle upon Tyne?
At My Aesthetics Lounge, we offer smile line filler in Newcastle Upon Tyne under qualified advanced aesthetic experts who combine clinical safety with aesthetic sensibility. What sets us apart:
- Personalised assessment tailored to your facial anatomy and goals.
- Medical-grade products and conservative, safety-first techniques (including cannula use when appropriate).
- Reversal protocols and emergency readiness.
- Aftercare and follow-up included as part of your treatment plan.
Convenient, professional clinic serving Newcastle upon Tyne and surrounding areas.
If you’re considering softening your smile lines with a natural-looking, long-lasting solution, book a free consultation with us
Final thoughts
Smile lines are a normal sign of life and expression — but when they become more pronounced than you’d like, modern dermal fillers offer a safe, reversible and effective way to restore balance. The best results come from a thoughtful plan: correct the underlying volume loss where necessary, use the right filler in the right place, manage discomfort, and follow sensible aftercare.
At My Aesthetics Lounge we focus on natural outcomes, safety, and ongoing skin health, ensuring your smile still looks like you — just refreshed. If you’re ready to take the next step, book a consultation and let our expert team design a bespoke smile line treatment plan for you.
