Dermal Fillers treatment
Smile Lines
Soften the lines running from the nose to the corners of the mouth.
- Treatment time
- Around 20–30 minutes
- Results
- Visible immediately; settles over 2 weeks
- Longevity
- Typically 9–12 months
- Downtime
- Minimal — a day or two of swelling
About Smile Lines
Nasolabial folds — smile lines — run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them, but they deepen as the cheeks lose volume and the skin above them slides down. Treating the fold directly with a soft hyaluronic acid filler cushions and softens the crease; treating the cheek first often reduces how much is needed.
John's aim is to soften rather than erase, because a face with no smile lines at all doesn't look natural.
Before & after
Key Benefits
- 01Softens deep creases between nose and mouth
- 02Gives a smoother, more rested lower face
- 03Natural result — the fold is softened, not flattened
- 04Can be combined with cheek support for a longer-lasting lift
- 05Quick treatment with minimal downtime
- 06Reversible if ever needed
Is this treatment right for me?
Smile-line treatment suits people whose folds have deepened enough to show at rest. At consultation John assesses whether the fold itself or the cheek above it is the better place to start — sometimes both.
You may be suitable if…
- Your smile lines are visible at rest, not just when you smile
- The folds make you look tired or older than you feel
- You'd like a softening rather than a dramatic change
- You're not pregnant or breastfeeding
Your consultation will consider…
- The area in proportion to the rest of your face, not in isolation
- Skin quality, volume loss and how the tissues move
- Your medical history, allergies, medication and any previous filler
- How much product is likely to be needed, and a realistic, staged plan if more than one session is sensible
What to expect
Before treatment
Treatment starts with a face-to-face consultation with John. He'll look at the area in the context of your whole face, talk through what you'd like to change and what would look natural for you, and check your medical history. For a week beforehand it helps to avoid alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen and supplements such as fish oil or vitamin E where safe to do so, as they increase bruising. Please don't book within two weeks of a dental procedure.
During treatment
The skin is cleansed and a numbing cream is applied for around 10–15 minutes; many modern fillers also contain a local anaesthetic. John then places the hyaluronic acid gel using a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, depending on the area, shaping and checking symmetry as he goes. You'll feel pressure and the occasional sting rather than pain. Most appointments take 30–45 minutes.
After treatment
You'll see the change straight away, although the area will be a little swollen and the final shape settles over the next one to two weeks. John will go through aftercare, and you're welcome to book a review at two weeks if anything needs refining.
Watch
Results & longevity
The softening is visible immediately and settles over about two weeks. Filler in this area typically lasts nine to twelve months; it's a mobile area, so it breaks down a little faster than the cheeks. Combining with cheek support often extends the result.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
Mild swelling and occasionally a small bruise are the main effects, settling within a few days. The area may feel slightly firm at first as the filler integrates.
Side effects
Swelling, tenderness, redness and bruising are the common, expected effects and settle within days. Small lumps or slight unevenness can be felt in the first couple of weeks as the gel settles and usually resolve; anything persistent can be reviewed. Uncommon risks include infection, an allergic-type reaction, or the filler sitting in an unintended spot. Rarely, filler can affect a blood vessel — John uses techniques that minimise this, checks for warning signs before you leave, and the clinic stocks the enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid so it can be treated immediately.
Aftercare
Avoid touching, pressing or massaging the area for 24–48 hours unless John has asked you to. Skip strenuous exercise, saunas, steam rooms, sunbeds and alcohol for 48 hours, and sleep slightly elevated on the first night to limit swelling. A cool (not frozen) compress helps if the area feels tender. Don't have facials, dental work or other treatments on the area for two weeks, and keep make-up off the injection points for the rest of the day.
Please contact the clinic straight away if you notice unusual or increasing pain, skin that looks blotchy, white or dusky, blistering, spreading redness, or any change to your vision. Ordinary swelling and bruising don't need a call, but you're always welcome to check.
- Downtime
- Minimal — usually a day or two
- Redness
- Mild, settles within hours
- Swelling
- Common for 24–72 hours
- Bruising
- Possible, fades within a week
- Normal activities
- Same day; avoid strenuous exercise for 24–48 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I treat the lines or my cheeks?
Often the cheeks first: restoring support above the fold lifts it naturally, and a small amount in the fold itself finishes the result. John will show you the difference at consultation.
How much filler is used?
Usually 0.5–1 ml across both sides. More isn't better here — over-filling the fold can look heavy.
Will it change my smile?
No. The filler softens the crease at rest; your smile and the natural movement of the mouth are unaffected.
Does it hurt?
A numbing cream is applied first and most fillers contain a local anaesthetic, so you'll feel pressure and the occasional sting rather than pain. The area may feel tender for a day or two afterwards.
Can it be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed, which is one of the reasons we use it. John keeps it in clinic.
Can I go back to work afterwards?
Usually, yes. There may be some swelling and occasionally a bruise, so if you have an important event it's worth allowing a week or two for everything to settle.
Your Practitioner
John Dixon
Founder & Aesthetician
John founded Trusted Touch Aesthetics in Fulham and specialises in facial balancing, wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. He is CPD-regulated and fully insured, and is known for taking the time to assess your face properly, explaining every option honestly and never over-treating — the aim is always a natural result that still looks like you. Clients regularly mention his calm manner, attention to detail and the aftercare follow-up that checks in on how you're healing.