How to Reduce Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds—commonly known as “laugh lines”—are a cosmetic concern many people wish to address. To effectively reduce or eliminate them, it’s essential first to understand their underlying causes and then correct those contributing factors. Once identified, appropriate interventions can be selected accordingly. For instance, if nasolabial folds result from skin dehydration, hydrating face masks may help alleviate them. Additionally, facial massage techniques can further support improvement. Below, we detail practical, evidence-informed methods for reducing nasolabial folds.

How to Reduce Nasolabial Folds
1. Choose the Right Skincare Products
Select products containing ingredients that promote collagen regeneration in the dermis—such as growth factors and low-molecular-weight collagen—to stimulate or replenish dermal tissue, thereby improving wrinkles and enhancing skin firmness. Ingredients that support keratinocyte turnover (e.g., gentle exfoliants) can help diminish superficial wrinkles. Hormone-mimicking or hormone-supportive compounds—including kynurenine (often marketed as “Kynastin”), shanyao (Chinese yam) extract, soy isoflavones, curcumin, and peptides—may help modulate hormonal activity and improve skin tone and elasticity.
2. Facial Massage
Place the four fingers of one hand together and begin at the sides of the nose. Gently glide upward and outward along the natural direction of the facial muscles, applying light lifting pressure. Repeat 10 times on each side.
3. Moderate Facial Expressions
Excessive smiling isn’t the only culprit—habitual lip-pursing, grimacing, squinting, and other exaggerated facial expressions can also contribute to nasolabial fold formation. Those with expressive personalities should aim for natural, relaxed facial movements rather than overly dramatic ones.
4. Oral Muscle Exercises
Fill your mouth with air, tightly seal your lips, and gently shift the air bubble from side to side. Perform this exercise three times daily—morning and evening—for one minute per session. Consistent practice helps strengthen the perioral musculature, both preventing nasolabial fold development and softening existing lines.
5. Optimize Sleep Position and Pillow Material
Sleeping position significantly impacts wrinkle formation. Supine (back) sleeping is ideal; side-sleeping may compress facial tissues and deepen nasolabial folds over time. Additionally, using a silk or mulberry silk pillowcase minimizes friction and pressure on the face during sleep—helping prevent sleep-related creasing and maintaining smoother skin.
6. Use Anti-Aging Eye Creams Strategically
Apply an anti-wrinkle, firming eye cream directly to the nasolabial fold area and gently massage until fully absorbed. Use 2–3 times weekly; consistent application for one month typically yields visible improvement.
The above outlines effective, science-backed approaches to reducing nasolabial folds. We hope this information proves helpful to you.