These are the creases that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Nasolabial folds — also called smile lines — are often the first pronounced wrinkles on the face. They appear around the age of 30-35 and deepen gradually with age.
Surgery is not the only option. Targeted exercises, combined with lymphatic drainage specific to the area, can significantly soften these folds. The results are not immediate — they take consistency and patience. But they are real, visible and lasting.
This article gives you 6 precise exercises, a dedicated drainage protocol and realistic expectations about the results.
Contents
Anatomy of the nasolabial fold
Understanding the nasolabial fold means understanding why it forms and how to act on it. It is not a simple surface crease — it is a deep anatomical structure involving several layers of tissue.
The layers involved
The surface skin. The epidermis and dermis in the nasolabial area are relatively thin. With age, the dermis thins out (collagen loss is estimated at 1% a year after 30), and the skin loses its ability to resist gravity.
The subcutaneous fat. The face has distinct fat compartments. The cheek fat compartment (malar fat pad) sits above the nasolabial fold. With age, that compartment slides downwards under the effect of gravity. It "stacks up" at the fold, deepening it further.
The muscles. The levator labii superioris and the zygomatic muscle are directly connected to the fold. Their tone largely determines the depth of the crease. A toned muscle keeps the cheek high and the fold faint. A weakened muscle lets gravity do its work.
The local lymphatic system. The nasolabial area is rich in lymphatic vessels. When drainage is efficient, the tissues stay slim and the skin taut. When lymph stagnates — stress, lack of sleep, a sedentary lifestyle — the tissues fill with fluid and the fold deepens.
Why this wrinkle and not another?
The nasolabial fold is a natural junction between two anatomical structures: the cheek (mobile) and the upper lip (relatively fixed). It is a movement crease. Every smile, every expression calls on it. Over the years and thousands of repetitions, the crease sets.
It is also an area particularly exposed to gravity. The cheek fat presses directly on the fold. The more elasticity the skin loses, the less it can resist that weight.
Why these wrinkles form: the 5 factors
1. Loss of collagen and elastin
From the age of 25, collagen production declines. At 40, you have 20% less than at 20. At 60, 40% less. This loss of collagen is the number one factor in deepening nasolabial folds.
2. Fat migration
The fat compartments of the face do not melt away with age — they migrate. The malar fat drops, gathers above the fold and deepens the crease. That is why nasolabial folds deepen even in people who do not lose weight.
3. Loss of bone volume
The facial skeleton resorbs with age. The maxilla loses volume, reducing the support the soft tissues rest on. The face literally collapses inwards and downwards.
4. Lymphatic stagnation
Insufficient lymphatic drainage in the cheek-to-nose area causes chronic tissue swelling. That swelling adds to the weight pressing on the fold and visually amplifies its depth.
5. Repeated facial expressions
Smiling, talking, chewing — every one of these expressions calls on the nasolabial fold. That is obviously no reason to smile less. But understanding the mechanism explains why muscle-strengthening exercises make sense.
Also worth reading: our complete guide to anti-wrinkle facial massage.
6 targeted exercises to soften nasolabial folds
These exercises target the muscles that support the fold area. Practised daily, they strengthen muscular support and reduce the visible depth of the crease. Each exercise takes 30 to 60 seconds.
Exercise 1: The alternating puff
Puff out your right cheek as far as it will go. Hold for 5 seconds. Transfer the air to the left cheek. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times on each side.
This exercise stretches the nasolabial fold from the inside and strengthens the buccinator (the cheek muscle). The puffing creates internal pressure that "pushes back" the crease and stimulates circulation in the area.
Exercise 2: The resisted smile
Place your index fingers on either side of your mouth, on the nasolabial folds. Press lightly to create resistance. Then smile as wide as you can, working against the pressure of your fingers. Hold for 5 seconds. Release. Repeat 10 times.
The resistance forces the zygomatic muscle to work harder than in a normal smile. It is the principle of strength training applied to the face — resistance creates strengthening.
Exercise 3: The cheek suck
Suck your cheeks inwards, as if making a "fish face". Hold for 10 seconds. Release. Repeat 8 times.
This exercise engages the buccinator and the upper lip muscles in a movement that "smooths" the fold from the inside. The deep contraction stimulates local blood flow and builds muscle tone.
Exercise 4: The tongue smoother
Close your mouth. Place the tip of your tongue against the inside of the right nasolabial fold, level with the side of the nose. Slide your tongue slowly downwards along the fold, all the way to the corner of the mouth. Repeat 10 times on each side.
The pressure your tongue applies from the inside creates a mechanical "ironing" of the crease. It is one of the most targeted and most effective exercises for this specific wrinkle. You will feel the muscle working from the very first reps.
Exercise 5: The surprised O
Form a big "O" with your mouth, stretching your lips outwards as far as possible. Hold the position while trying to smile — without closing the O. You will feel tension in your cheeks and along the folds. Hold for 10 seconds. Release. Repeat 5 times.
This exercise engages the orbicularis oris and the zygomatic muscle at the same time in an antagonistic movement. That dual demand strengthens the area thoroughly.
Exercise 6: The palm press
Place your palms on your cheeks, fingers pointing towards your ears. Press moderately to lift the cheek tissue towards the cheekbones. Hold that position while slowly opening and closing your mouth, 10 times. The jaw movement against the resistance of your hands strengthens the whole area around the mouth.
This exercise combines muscle strengthening with mechanical repositioning of the tissues. It gives you a preview of what regular facial gymnastics can achieve over the long term.
Lymphatic drainage specific to the nasolabial area
The exercises strengthen the muscles. Drainage clears stagnant lymph and reduces the swelling that visually deepens the fold. The two approaches are complementary — it is combining them that gives the best results.
The nasolabial drainage protocol (2 minutes)
Step 1: Opening the lymph nodes. Place the brush under each ear. 5 gentle rotations on each side. Then move down the neck towards the collarbones, 3 passes.
Step 2: Draining the cheeks towards the ears. Place the brush on the cheek, along the nasolabial fold. Glide slowly from the side of the nose towards the ear, following the line of the cheekbone. 5 passes on each side, with feather-light pressure. This move drains the lymph that has built up around the fold towards the parotid nodes.
Step 3: Draining the fold itself. With the tip of the brush, follow the nasolabial fold from the top (side of the nose) down to the bottom (corner of the mouth). Then continue towards the jaw and back up towards the ear. 3 passes on each side. This is the most targeted move — it follows exactly the natural drainage path of the area.
Step 4: Closing. Go back down the neck, from the ears towards the collarbones. 3 passes on each side.
When to do nasolabial drainage
Ideally after the exercises. The optimal sequence is: exercises (3 minutes) then drainage (2 minutes). The exercises mobilise the tissues and activate local circulation. The drainage clears the fluid they have mobilised.
Morning is the best time — overnight stagnation makes the folds more pronounced. But an evening session before bed is beneficial too.
You might also be interested in this article: redefining the jawline.
Realistic results: what to expect
Transparency matters here. Facial exercises and drainage are not cosmetic surgery. They will not erase a deep fold that has been there for 20 years. But they can produce significant, visible improvements — provided you are consistent and patient.
Weeks 1 to 2: the immediate effects
From the very first days, you will notice a less puffy face in the morning. Drainage reduces the lymphatic stagnation that visually deepens the fold. The skin looks firmer and more toned. That is an immediate cosmetic effect — not yet a structural change.
Weeks 3 to 6: muscle strengthening
The muscles targeted by the exercises gain tone. The muscular support beneath the fold improves. The crease is slightly shallower at rest. Local circulation is lastingly improved, giving the skin a better supply of oxygen and nutrients.
Weeks 6 to 12: visible results
This is the stage where results start showing up in photos. A study published in JAMA Dermatology in 2018 showed that a facial exercise programme of 30 minutes a day for 20 weeks significantly improved the appearance of cheek fullness and reduced apparent age by an average of 3 years.
By this point, nasolabial folds are softened — not erased. The cheek sits higher and firmer, and the crease is less pronounced, especially at the end of the day (when gravity would normally have deepened it).
Beyond 3 months: maintenance
The results hold as long as the practice stays regular. As with exercise, stopping brings a gradual return to the starting point within 4 to 8 weeks. The ideal is to scale back to a daily 3-minute session (exercises + drainage combined) for maintenance.
What amplifies the results
Hydration. Well-hydrated skin looks plumper and wrinkles show less. Hyaluronic acid serum is particularly effective on the nasolabial area.
Sun protection. UV rays break down collagen. Every minute of unprotected exposure undoes part of the strengthening work.
Sleep. It is during sleep that collagen regenerates and tissues recover. Less than 7 hours a night compromises the results.
The drainage that completes your exercises
After your 6 exercises, the ORVOVA lymphatic brush drains the nasolabial area with precision. Its ultra-soft bristles glide along the fold and clear the lymph that deepens the crease. Two minutes for a visibly smoother face.
Discover the brushTo continue reading, discover neck and décolleté drainage.
FAQ — Nasolabial folds
Can facial exercises really soften nasolabial folds?
Yes, and the studies confirm it. A study published in JAMA Dermatology (2018) showed that a regular facial exercise programme significantly improved cheek fullness and reduced apparent age. The exercises strengthen the underlying muscles that support the skin and reduce the depth of the fold at rest. Results are gradual and require 6 to 12 weeks of daily practice.
At what age should you start preventing nasolabial folds?
From the age of 25-30, the first signs can appear — especially in people who are very expressive or who smile a lot. Prevention is always more effective than correction. Starting exercises and drainage at 30 maintains muscle tone and significantly delays the deepening of the fold.
What role does lymphatic drainage play in nasolabial folds?
Drainage works on two levels. First, it clears the stagnant lymph in the cheek-to-nose area, reducing the swelling that visually deepens the fold. Second, it improves local microcirculation, which supports collagen production and tissue oxygenation. Drainage alone does not strengthen the muscles — it complements the exercises by optimising the tissue environment.
Are anti-wrinkle creams effective on nasolabial folds?
Creams can improve the surface appearance — especially those containing retinol (collagen stimulation), hyaluronic acid (hydration and plumping) or peptides (repair signals). But they act on the superficial dermis, not on the deeper causes (fat migration, loss of muscle tone). Creams optimise the quality of the skin; exercises and drainage act on the structure.
How much time a day do the exercises take?
The complete protocol (6 exercises + drainage) takes 5 minutes a day. That is the effective minimum. Studies show significant results with 20 to 30 minutes a day, but 5 minutes focused on the right exercises already produces a visible improvement in 6 to 8 weeks. The key is daily consistency, not duration.
