Which procedure would minimize the appearance of indents near my nose? (photo)

Question

I’m 25 and for several years I’ve noticed I have these two weird indents near my nose on my cheek when I smile. They aren’t noticeable when I relax my face, only noticeable when I smile. Any suggestions on how to improve their appearance?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

I can see exactly what you’re describing, those little indents that only appear when you smile. What you’re noticing is often due to how the underlying facial muscles attach and move when you animate your face. In many cases, this is completely normal anatomy, but I understand how it can feel more noticeable to you.

For treatment, there are a few options depending on how much improvement you’d like:

Dermal fillers: A small amount of filler placed strategically can soften the appearance of those indents and make them less pronounced when you smile.

Skin tightening or collagen-stimulating treatments: Options like radiofrequency microneedling or biostimulatory fillers (such as Sculptra) can gradually improve the contour and fullness of the mid-cheek area.

Fat grafting: A more permanent surgical option, where your own fat is transferred to smooth out hollows.

It’s also important to remember that these indents aren’t a sign of aging or skin damage — they’re simply part of your natural facial movement. That means they can be improved but not always completely erased, especially since they only appear with smiling.

A subtle, conservative approach is usually best so your expressions still look natural.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

The problem here is not that uncommon in my experience. I have found that the use of a low viscosity, cohesive, malleable HA filler works well for smoothing the transition between the uppermost portion of the cheek and the mid-cheek regions that become visible with smiling. You would be wise to consult with a board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler expert. Treatment in experienced hands should take no more than about ten minutes with immediate results and little to no significant downtime. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Which procedure would minimize the appearance of indents near my nose? (photo)

Answers (2)

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