DERMAL FILLERS · SMILE & MARIONETTE LINES

Nasolabial & Marionette Filler: Softening Smile Lines — Istanbul

Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose to the mouth corners; marionette lines continue from the mouth corners towards the chin. As they deepen, the face can look tired or sad even when you are not. Hyaluronic acid filler can soften both, but the most natural results often come from restoring support around the lines, not only filling them. Results typically last 6–12 months. Our physicians in Nişantaşı plan it as part of a whole-face dermal filler plan.

Last updated: October 2026

At a Glance

Session

About 20–45 minutes

Swelling

Usually 2–7 days

Lasts

Typically 6–12 months

Reversible

Yes, with hyaluronidase

Age

18+ only

Why Filling the Fold Is Often Not the Answer

Everyone has nasolabial folds; even young faces show them when smiling. They deepen largely because the cheek above loses volume and moves down; marionette lines follow volume loss along the jaw and a muscle that pulls the mouth corners down.

Filling the fold directly can look heavy, especially when you smile. Restoring cheek support first often softens it more naturally, and a small amount in the fold can then finish the result. We treat the cause, not only the line.

What Smile Line Filler Can Treat

Deep nasolabial folds

Softens the crease from nose to mouth corner; a natural fold remains when you smile.

Marionette lines

Supports the lines running down from the mouth corners.

Downturned mouth corners

Often combined with DAO Botox to relax the muscle pulling the corners down.

Pre-jowl hollow

Filling the small dip in front of the jowl can smooth the jawline.

Fine lines in the fold

Often better suited to a softer gel or a skin booster.

Choosing the Right Gel Around the Mouth

The area around the mouth moves all day as you speak, eat and smile, so the gel must be flexible enough to move naturally. Cheek support, by contrast, needs a firmer gel that holds its shape.

We use established ranges such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Teosyal and Belotero; the product and amount are written in your treatment plan. Permanent fillers (silicone, PMMA, paraffin) are not used.

Nasolabial Filler Procedure, Step by Step

Whole-face assessment

We look at the lines at rest and in movement, and at the cheeks and jaw around them.

Written plan

Each area — cheek, fold, mouth corner — is listed with product, amount and price.

Numbing

Numbing cream is applied; many gels also contain lidocaine.

Injection

A fine needle or a blunt cannula is used; the session takes about 20–45 minutes and the lines look softer immediately.

How Much Filler Do Smile Lines Need?

Usually less in the fold than people expect. When the cheek is supported first, the fold often needs only a small finishing amount, and sometimes none.

The total depends on the depth of the lines, the midface volume lost and whether marionette lines are treated too. Average 2026 prices in Turkey are on our prices page.

How Long Does Nasolabial Filler Last?

Day 0Lines look softer immediately; mild swelling and redness are normal.
Days 2–7Swelling usually settles; any bruising can take up to 1–2 weeks to fade.
About 2 weeksThe result has settled and is reviewed.
6–12 monthsFiller around the mouth is gradually broken down; cheek support placed at the same time typically lasts 12–18 months.

Aftercare for Smile and Marionette Lines

First 24 hours: no pressing or massaging the treated lines unless your physician advises it.
Makeup: not on the injection points for about 12–24 hours.
Exercise, sauna and alcohol: avoid for 24–48 hours.
Sleep: on your back for the first nights if your cheeks were also treated.
Treatments: no facial massage, laser or radiofrequency over the area for about 2 weeks; see our filler aftercare guide.

Side Effects and Warning Signs

Swelling, bruising and tenderness are common and temporary. Slight asymmetry or small lumps can occur, and lumps can often be massaged or dissolved; infection and delayed nodules are less common.

The area beside the nose has important blood vessels, so technique matters. The rare but serious risk is vascular occlusion — filler blocking a vessel — treated urgently with hyaluronidase, which we keep on hand. Contact the clinic immediately if you notice:

Severe or increasing pain
Skin turning pale, white, dusky or mottled
Skin that feels cold
Any change in your vision (very rare)

Who Is Nasolabial Filler For?

Age: adults aged 18 and over only.
Good candidates: healthy adults who want softer lines and a natural look, not a face without folds.
Not during: pregnancy or breastfeeding, an infection or cold sore in the area, or with an allergy to any component.
Discuss first: blood thinners, autoimmune conditions and recent isotretinoin.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does nasolabial fold filler last?

Filler in the nasolabial folds and marionette lines typically lasts 6–12 months. The area moves constantly when you talk and smile, and the exact duration also depends on the product and amount. Cheek support placed in the same plan typically lasts longer, around 12–18 months.

Should I fill the nasolabial fold or the cheek?

Often the cheek comes first. Nasolabial folds deepen largely because the cheek above loses volume and descends. Restoring that support softens the fold indirectly and avoids a heavy look around the mouth; a small amount in the fold can then refine the result.

Can filler remove smile lines completely?

No, and filler should not try to. A natural fold is part of every face that smiles. Nasolabial filler aims to soften a deep crease so the face looks rested; filling a fold flat usually looks unnatural in movement, so we prefer a measured approach.

What helps marionette lines besides filler?

Marionette lines often respond to a combination: filler for lost volume, Botox to relax the muscle that pulls the mouth corners down, and skin-quality treatments for fine lines. Our guide Botox or filler? explains the difference. Marked sagging may need skin tightening or a surgical opinion.

Does nasolabial filler hurt?

Discomfort during nasolabial filler is usually mild and brief. Numbing cream is applied first, and many gels contain lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. You may feel pressure and brief stings, and some tenderness around the mouth for a few days. You can ask your physician to pause at any time.

Can I go back to work after nasolabial filler?

Usually, yes: you can return to work on the day of your nasolabial filler. Small marks at the injection points are normal; keep makeup off them for about 12–24 hours. Swelling usually settles within 2–7 days, and any bruising can take up to 1–2 weeks to fade, so plan around important events.

Can nasolabial filler be dissolved?

Yes. Hyaluronic acid filler in the nasolabial folds or marionette lines can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, usually within 24–48 hours, sometimes over more than one session. It is also the emergency treatment for a blocked blood vessel. Read more about filler dissolving.

Who should not have nasolabial or marionette filler?

Nasolabial and marionette filler is only for adults aged 18 and over. It is postponed during pregnancy or breastfeeding and with an infection or cold sore near the mouth, and not done with an allergy to any component. Blood thinners, autoimmune conditions and recent isotretinoin are discussed first.

This page is general information, not a substitute for a medical consultation. Which areas to treat is decided by our physicians after an in-person assessment.

Free Consultation — Smile Line Filler in Istanbul

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