How to Get Rid of Nasolabial Folds: Top Facial Exercises Recommend

The nasolabial folds are lines that stretch from each side of your mouth running along to the side of your nose. They are typically known as laugh lines or smile lines. Nasolabial folds are usually associated with a person's smile and tend to deepen with aging because of loss of elasticity in that area and volume changes.

Deepening of nasolabial folds can occur due to a variety of reasons:

Aging

Age brings with it a gradual loss that results in a tissue layer that presents with reduced resilience and endurance. This is because the skin gradually begins to produce insufficient amounts of collagen and elastin.

Genetic Factors

The rate or extent of appearance of laugh lines may be determined genetically.

Sun Exposure

Sunlight includes UV radiations that damage elastin and collagen, thus causing the skin to age prematurely.

Lifestyle

Damaging habits such as smoking, poor diets, and inadequate drinking increases the risk of developing nasolabial folds/laugh lines by eroding the health of a person's skin.

Even though there are multiple ways to solve this issue, many people prefer non-surgical treatment like face yoga for Nasolabial Folds, which brings a leaner look by restoring elasticity to the facial muscles, helping to reduce wrinkles around the mouth. By frequently focusing and aiming the facial exercises, the strength and blood flow of the skeletal muscles are strengthened, allowing them to be more elastic, further making the person look younger.

The most visible results will be achieved by the consistent repetition of facial exercises. Consequently, making them part of your everyday life and practicing them regularly is significant for the reduction of nasolabial folds over time.

Understanding Nasolabial Folds

Nasolabial folds, or laughs/smile lines, start as small creases around the corners of the mouth and the sides of the nose, but as time passes, they become more and more pronounced and distinguishable lines. Such lines are a part of a person’s face, and even though they start off as small folds, they get deeper and more noticeable over time.

How Do Nasolabial Folds Develop?

Some factors lead to the development and deepening of nasolabial folds:

Loss of Collagen and Elastin

As people age, their bodies lose elastin and collagen. Collagen is necessary as it is responsible for the firmness of body structures. On the other hand, elastin assists the skin’s normal structure in returning after being stretched. In the absence of these proteins, skin elasticity and firmness reduce, which explains why wrinkles and folds become amplified.

Volume Loss

The face automatically begins to lose a considerable amount of subcutaneous fat, making it more rounded. When that happens, nasolabial folds also become deeper.

Muscle Laxity

The effects of aging can prove to be destructive for the skin muscles that are in charge of supporting it as they would lose mass, And that Would result in the development of deeper folds

Common Causes

The development of nasolabial folds can be hastened by the below common causes:

Aging

It is natural for people to lose collagen, elastin, fat, and muscle with age, all of which contribute to the formation of nasolabial folds.

Facial Expressions

Constant muscle work such as laughing, talking or smiling will overtime cause the skin to fold in the specific boundary of the active muscle movement, hence folds are formed which are permanent.

Smoking

According to today’s research, the collagen and elastin present in the skin suffers damage due to cigarette smoking, hence resulting in an early appearance of nasolabial folds among other wrinkles and signs of aging.

Sun Damage

An environmental factor for the development of nasolabial folds, specifically ultraviolet light present in radiation from the sun, causes structural changes in the skin since it causes the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis.

Most importantly, knowing these elements will give us an insight into the development of possible interventions for nasolabial folds.

Benefits of Facial Exercises for Nasolabial Folds

Facial exercises, otherwise known as face yoga, provide a healthy and more natural way of reducing the nasolabial folds. By performing particular movements, this exercise works out the neck and face muscles, leading to the following benefits:

Muscle Toning and Firming

The nasolabial folds often appear less deep or even absent because more youthful skin is injected with muscle mass due to the expansion of mass in the facial muscles that is achieved through regular exercises.

Improved Circulation

Building muscles around the face through movement creates an adequate supply of new blood. This blood gets pumped around the body ensuring adequate oxygen and nutrients reach the surface of the skin resulting in an overall younger looking skin.

Enhanced Skin Elasticity

Repeated contractions and extensions of the facial muscles during the facial exercises boost collagen production which is responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. When protein levels are boosted, skin texture is smoothed and the depth of nasolabial folds decreased.

Supporting Research

In a trial presented in the Journal of JAMA Dermatology, women in their middle ages took part. Some were assigned the task of stretching their face for twenty weeks. Those who stayed consistent with this routine had a change in their facial contours, and they showed little signs of aging.

Non-Invasive and Cost-Effective

Facial yoga cuts out all medical belts and tears of the level of irritation with all facelifts which dormant injectable or any other costs. They are for people looking for a natural way to get rid of nasolabial folds without using medicine.

Making it a habit to perform facial exercises can help improve the appearance of nasolabial folds and leave you looking younger and healthier.

Try FaceYogi today!

Top Exercises for Nasolabial Folds

You can perform nasolabial folds reduction by practicing facial exercises that can effectively integrate with your daily routine. Try these six exercises that target the muscle surrounding your mouth and cheeks.

1. The 'O' Face Lift

Instructions:

While exercising, always remember to maintain a straight back and sit comfortably.

Purse your lips and form an O shape with your mouth.

Smile while stretching your cheeks and retaining the O shape.

Keep that for 5 seconds.

Wait and do the same for 10 times.

Benefits:

Effective in strengthening and targeting the cheek muscles, this enhances the mouth area while decreasing the nasolabial folds prominence.

2. The Smile Smoother

Instructions:

Put your fingers on the corners of your lips.

Now, slightly press your lips while smiling as hard as possible.

Hold the smile for somewhere around 10 seconds.

Then, you simply get to turn in the result and do this 5 to 10 times.

Benefits:

This specific exercise targets the mouth and the cheeks, therefore increasing the fullness of the skin while decreasing the number of wrinkles, which are also referred to as smile lines.

3. The Cheek Lifter

Instructions:

Open your mouth to form an 'O' shape, covering your teeth with your lips.

Place your fingers lightly on the top part of your cheeks.

In doing a smile, lift your cheeks up towards your eyes.

Do this for 5 seconds, then relax.

Repeat the entire process 10 times.

Benefits:

Regularly performing this workout will help tighten the cheek muscles while increasing the volume of the face, hence making a person look younger.

4. The Lip Pull

Instructions:

Sit or stand with your head in a neutral position.

Now start moving your lower jaw out while raising your lower lip towards the upper one.

You should feel a stretch in the chin muscles and jawline.

Staying like this, count up to 10 and return to the position.

Do it 10 more times.

Benefits:

This exercise strengthens the skin around the lips, thus preventing them from sagging and reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds.

5. The Fish Face

Instructions:

Sucking in your cheeks and lips, make a Fish Face.

Keep this position for 5 seconds.

Rest and repeat 10 times.

Benefits:

This exercise activates and tones the oral and jaw muscles, which makes the face more taut.

Jawline Tightener

Instructions:

Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling.

Lower your lip over the upper lip. In this way, a stretch under the chin can be experienced.

Pause for 10 seconds and then stand still.

Do this 10 times.

Benefits:

This exercise makes the lower face tight as well as reduces wrinkles around lips which improves the contour of the jaw.

How to Perform Facial Exercises

Can we begin by reassuring ourselves that nasolabial folds, while concerning for some people, are natural? That being said, nasolabial exercises can effectively lessen their impact.

Recommended Frequency and Duration

Frequency: It’s better to do facial workouts around 6 or 7 times a week, in order to get a favorable outcome for yourself.

Duration: It is advisable to spend around 10 minutes each day on your facial exercises.

Merging Exercises for Optimal Results

Variety: All Secular Remington targeting various muscles of the face should be performed to ensure suitable toning.

Sequence: Start by removing stiffness from muscles by performing soft and light strokes, then gradually progress to higher-intensity exercises.

Consistency: Stick to a timetable so that muscles grow and become accustomed to the exertion over time.

Posture and Relaxation Tips

Proper Posture: Correct seated posture entails the incorporation of an upright spinal position while keeping your shoulders relaxed to allow for proper muscular efforts.

Relaxation: Before exercising, ensure that your face is free of tension. A massage directed at the facial muscles may be beneficial.

Breathing: Use steady and deep breaths during facial exercises to help relax and supply oxygen to the respective muscles.

If the above guidelines are adopted and observed, facial exercises can be more effective in eliminating the nasolabial folds and giving the face a fresh look.

Additional Tips for Get Rid of Nasolabial Folds

To eliminate nasolabial wrinkles, a complete approach that considers hydration, skincare, nutrition, physical activity, and sleep is needed.

Hydration and Skin Elasticity

The importance of hydration in sustaining skin elasticity cannot be overstated. Carrying out appropriate hydration practices ensures that the skin always remains full of moisture. As a result, nasolabial folds are less pronounced. When the skin becomes dehydrated, it becomes lax which in turn enhances the depth of wrinkles and fine lines.

Skincare Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol

Using moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid and retinol can help significantly reduce nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid is known to absorb moisture, so it is a great humectant and a good skin plumper because it diminishes wrinkles. Vitamin A in the form of Retinol aids in the manufacture of collagen and increases cell turnover, leading to finer lines and skin tightness.

Diet and Exercise for Skin Health

A diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, together with antioxidants, boosts skin health. Vitamin C present in citrus fruit and green vegetables is vital for collagen formation and preventing skin sagging. Chemical nutrients are better dispersed in the body owing to increased blood circulation due to enhanced physical activity. This leads to amazing skin color.

Adequate Sleep for Skin Rejuvenation

There is a close relationship between adequate sleep and skin recovery and enhancement. Remodeling collagen relies on deep sleep’s ability to increase blood flow to the skin, replacing skin protein lost to UV damage.

Not only does a lack of sleep increase the level of cortisol, but it also enhances collagen breakdown, which causes, among other things, sagging skin and deepened nasolabial folds.

With these tips, it is quite easy to reduce the look of nasolabial folds and improve skin health.

When to See a Professional

It is true that facial exercises can help improve the look of the nasolabial folds. But in some cases, it makes sense to get professional help.

When Facial Exercises May Not Suffice

The following might be indicators to contact a skin care clinic for the latest skin assistance procedure as recommended by plastic surgeons:

Severe Sagging: Excessive sagging of skin as folds become etched due to lack of tautness.

Deep Wrinkles: Some creases that do not disappear even when a person is not directing anything.

Volume Loss: A greater depression in the cheeks, resulting in more pronounced folds.

Advanced Treatment Options

For deeper nasolabial folds, specialists can recommend the following:

Dermal fillers: These are injections typically made of hyaluronic acid. They work within about five hours after injection, and clinical studies have shown effects lasting for up to 12 months or more. The product is self-hydrating and offers enhanced wrinkle correction, specifically folds and deep lines.

Botox is mainly used for dynamic wrinkles, though it has limited efficacy around folds, according to filler cosmetic specialists. It focuses primarily on overcoming certain more active facial muscles, which can soften the nasolabial folds. There’s a more effective method to address deeper folds with volume injection fillers.

1. Laser Therapy Treatments such as laser surgery allow the skin to heal gradually as it replaces damaged tissues layer by layer. For better outcomes, more than five sessions are usually needed, which in conjunction boosts collagen generation and by extension enhances skin quality.

2. Thread Lifts In this method, absorbable stitches are put into the skin to inflate certain sunken parts of the face, such as cheek and labial folds, thus enhancing collagen synthesis. In that sense, it’s a very effective collagen booster and is prominent around the nasolabial folds.

Seeing an experienced dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon will help determine your needs and the severity of the folds you want treated, as well as the best course of treatment for each individual.

Conclusion

Various facial exercises are also what plenty of people make use of in reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds by enhancing muscle tone, increasing blood circulation, and augmenting skin elasticity. These easy exercises that one can do regularly, will minimize smile lines and bring about a much more youthful appearance after some time.

Ten simple minutes daily spent executing different exercises, like the O Face Lift or the Cheek Lifter, will bring dividends in due course. All these exercises, combined with a healthy lifestyle of liquid intake, proper nutrition, sun protection, and good sleeping, will provide the best results. Begin your facial exercises now and discover a new you with firmer, healthier skin and more confidence in your natural beauty. Small steps lead to big changes!

We would love to hear about your experiences! Share your results from facial exercises and encourage others to start their journey. Want a complete transformation? Do a full-face yoga routine with FaceYogi that will renew your skin and lift your self-confidence. Try it out today!

References

1. Alam, M., Walter, A. J., Geisler, A., Roongpisuthipong, W., Sikorski, G., Tung, R., & Poon, E. (2018). Association of facial exercise with the appearance of aging. JAMA Dermatology (Chicago, Ill.), 154(3), 365. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5142

2. Does your face need a workout?_ (2019, January 1). Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/does-your-face-need-a-workout

3. Abe, T., & Loenneke, J. P. (2019). The influence of facial muscle training on the facial soft tissue profile: A brief review. Cosmetics, 6(3), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics6030050

4. Nasolabial folds: Causes, treatment, exercises, and prevention. (2018, February 5). Medicalnewstoday.com. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320825

5. Stavrou, D. (2024, June 10). Causes of nasolabial folds: Learn about the causes of nasolabial folds! EIPS. https://eips.com/nasolabial-lines-causes-and-contributing-factors/

6. Taylor, L. L. (2024, November 16). 6 best facial exercises to slim your face & tight skin. Total Shape. https://totalshape.com/training/best-facial-exercises/