Which muscles or underlying structure cause these lines when I smile? How can I minimize their appearance? (photos)

Thank you for submitting your question and photos. Repetitive muscle movements may cause lines that can deepen over time. Botox can be administered to target the muscles causing them to appear when you smile by relaxing muscle movement and smoothing the lines away. The lines you’re referring to are likely associated with the zygomaticus major and minor muscles.

I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon or expert injector. They will be able to assess your concerns and determine the treatment plan that may be right for you.

A combination approach would give the most improvement. Deep wrinkles and smile lines can be improved with a combination of Botox and/or fillers for the lines themselves and to build anatomical support with Sculptra for collagen building. Ultherapy is a great skin tightening device, but works best in combination with other treatments like J Plasma, RF treatments, lasers, microneedling/PRP, salt facials, Cosmelan for skin tightening and improve skin tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

All the muscles involved in smile are creating lines, wrinkles when person is smiling because skin is pulled up and lateral. Skin does not have such an elesticity to compensate and shrink immediatelly, even in the youngest age; whatch a child smiling and you will see the lines. For that reason, it should not be expected that one particular treatment (fat grafting) would improve this phenomenon. However, small lines around eyes, forehead or mouth can be managed with Botox, fillers, laser. dermabrasion, etc. Hope this helps.