Smile Lines and Nasolabial Folds Treatment in Albuquerque, NM
What Are Smile Lines and Nasolabial Folds?
Smile lines, also called nasolabial folds, are the creases that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, and they’re one of the most common concerns behind requests for smile line treatment. They become more visible as facial volume decreases and skin loses elasticity, and they often deepen with smiling and other repeated expressions. At Enhanced Wellness NM in Albuquerque, we assess how much of your pattern is driven by volume loss, skin quality, or both before recommending a plan.
What Causes Smile Lines and Nasolabial Folds?
Smile lines and nasolabial folds usually develop from a combination of the following factors, and your plan depends on which are most active in your case.
Midface Volume Loss
As the fat pads beneath the cheeks thin with age, the skin above them settles, deepening the fold between the nose and mouth.
Collagen and Elastin Decline
Less structural support in the skin means the fold creases more easily and takes longer to soften between expressions.
Repeated Expression
Smiling and other facial movements can accentuate an already-present fold.
Cumulative Sun Exposure
UV damage weakens the collagen matrix that otherwise keeps midface skin resilient.
Reduced Cellular Energy in Skin Cells
Ongoing collagen repair depends on adequate mitochondrial function.
What Body Systems Do We Evaluate?
- Facial volume and fat-pad distribution in the midface
- Skin structure and quality (collagen, elastin, hydration, and sun damage)
- Circulation to the treatment area
- Cellular energy production in skin cells, relevant to light-based and regenerative options
Appropriate Testing for Smile Lines and Nasolabial Folds
Visual assessment of fold depth at rest and during expression
Evaluation of midface volume and skin quality
Fitzpatrick skin type assessment to guide product and device selection
Review of your health history and any medications that could affect candidacy for filler or regenerative options
Dermal Filler
A consultation to evaluate whether a dermal filler is appropriate to restore volume beneath the crease, using a filler for smile lines or a nasolabial fold filler suited to your goals. Your provider will review candidacy, technique, and expected outcomes, including other anti-aging fillers that may fit your broader plan.
The Restore Facial
Uses your own platelet-rich plasma to support the skin’s natural collagen production around the nasolabial fold, improving texture and firmness over a series of sessions.
Exosome and Stem Cell Skin Rejuvenation
A regenerative option that uses growth factor signaling to support skin cell renewal and collagen production in the midface, as part of a broader facial rejuvenation treatment plan. Your provider will confirm whether this fits your goals.
°CRYO Wave Aesthetics
Alternates cold and heat to stimulate circulation in the midface, supporting skin tone and texture around the fold as part of a broader plan.
TheraLight 360+®
Red and near-infrared light therapy that supports mitochondrial energy production in skin cells, helping rebuild collagen that supports the nasolabial area.
Peptides
Certain peptides may be incorporated into your plan to support collagen production and tissue repair around the fold.
What Your First Visit Involves
A conversation about your goals for the midface and nasolabial area, including which fold concerns you most and whether you’re looking to soften an existing crease or prevent it from deepening further.
A comprehensive evaluation of your fold pattern, facial volume, and health history.
A tailored treatment plan outlining your recommended filler placement, regenerative options, or a combination of both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may benefit from smile lines and nasolabial folds treatment?
Patients noticing a deepening fold between the nose and mouth, especially when smiling, may benefit from an assessment, whether they’re seeking smile line treatment for the first time or addressing nasolabial folds as part of an existing plan.
How does treatment for smile lines and nasolabial folds work?
Most plans address the underlying volume loss, most often with filler, and support the skin’s own collagen production with a regenerative or light-based option. Your specific combination depends on your assessment.
What does a session feel like?
Filler consultations and injections typically take well under an hour, with a topical numbing option available if needed. Regenerative and light-based sessions are generally well tolerated, and your provider will walk you through what each option involves before you begin.
How often is treatment recommended?
Filler results are typically maintained with a repeat visit. Regenerative and light-based options are often recommended in a series, with maintenance visits spaced further apart once your goals are met.
What results can I expect?
Most patients notice a visible softening of the fold, though the degree of change depends on your starting volume and the options included in your plan. Your provider will walk through what’s realistic for your specific case at your consultation.
Can these options be combined?
Yes. Filler is frequently paired with a regenerative or light-based option, since one restores volume and the other supports the skin’s own collagen production.
Are there any contraindications?
Certain medications, pregnancy or breastfeeding, active skin infection, and some medical conditions can affect which options are appropriate for you. A full medical history review at your consultation confirms candidacy before any plan is finalized.
How much does treatment cost?
Pricing depends on the amount of filler or number of sessions needed. Our team can walk you through current pricing during your consultation.
What is the next step?
Request a consultation so we can assess your fold pattern and volume, then build a plan aligned with your goals.
Ready to Address Your Smile Lines and Nasolabial Folds?
Request a new patient consultation with Enhanced Wellness NM, and we’ll evaluate your fold pattern, facial volume, and skin quality together before building a treatment plan specific to your goals.
This form is not monitored for medical emergencies. If you are currently in an urgent medical emergency, please call 911. A member of the Enhanced Wellness NM team will follow up with you within one business day of your request.
book an appointment
Use the form below to request an appointment with our team. Once your request is submitted, we’ll review your information and contact you to confirm your appointment date and time. You will receive a confirmation by phone or email once your appointment has been scheduled.
Important Notice: Contact and appointment request forms are not monitored for medical emergencies. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
Have questions or are you ready to get started?
Call us at (505) 323 – 8100 to schedule your consultation. Our team will review your history, current concerns, and available options so you can make an informed decision about where to begin.