Question: Will a facelift improve really deep smile lines?
Answer: If the concern is the nasolabial folds (the lines extending from the sides of the nose to the corners of the lips, sometimes called “parentheses” lines), most facelift procedures do not effectively address this deformity. Facelifts better address the lower face (i.e. jowls) and neck. The cause of deep nasolabial folds is descent of the malar (cheek) tissue, and this can be treated various ways. A mid-face lift (a completely different procedure than a facelift) is one technique. Another option is injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, into the fold and/or malar area. Finally, in select patients, the nasolabial fold can be excised (cut out). The scar for this is usually well-hidden, but some patients may not want this.