Nasolabial folds — or smile lines — are a normal part of aging. They show up when you laugh, when you smile, when you feel joy. That is a good thing.
But many Face Yogis come to me when they start noticing them more than before — when the lines feel deeper, or when they see them even when the face is relaxed and neutral. The good news is they do respond to practice — and I want to show you how.
What Are Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds — also called smile lines or laugh lines — are the lines that run from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Some people start noticing them as early as their twenties, others much later. Over time, as the cheek muscles lose tone and start to drop, they can become more visible even when your face is relaxed and neutral.
As we age, the soft tissue above the nasolabial groove shifts downward — pushing into the fold from above and deepening it. This is why face yoga practice for nasolabial folds focuses not just on the fold itself, but on lifting and strengthening the full cheek area. When the cheeks lift, the folds soften.
How Face Yoga Helps
Face yoga works on nasolabial folds in two ways.
First, the exercises lift and strengthen the cheek muscles from the inside — pushing the folds out and lifting the cheek area above them at the same time.
Second, this area tends to hold a lot of tension. Poor posture, repeated expressions, and sleeping position all add up over time. When we release that tension and improve circulation in the area, the skin responds better too.
Some Face Yogis notice a difference after just one session. For most people, visible change builds over the first few weeks of daily practice — and the first thing you usually notice is how the folds look in the morning, before the day’s expressions build up again.
2 Face Yoga Poses for Nasolabial Folds
These two poses work together — the first lifts the fold directly, the second lifts the cheek muscles above it. Do both every day for best results.
Before you start, sit tall and take a deep breath through your nose. Soften your jaw — let it drop a little, unclench your back teeth, and relax the area around your mouth. Starting from that released position means you get the full benefit from every pose.
Pose 1: Nasolabial Folds Hands Lift
This pose uses the weight of your head to gently lift the nasolabial fold area.
- Place the sides of your index fingers along your nasolabial folds and your thumbs along your jawline.
- Bring your elbows together and rest them on your chest.
- Let your head rest fully on your hands.
- Hold for 10 seconds.
- Come out from the pose and relax.
You should feel the difference immediately.
Pose 2: Profile Facelift
This pose lifts the cheek muscles from the side — and when the cheeks lift, the nasolabial folds soften.
- Place your right palm on the side of your face with your thumb under your ear. Place your left hand on your forehead.
- Move your right hand toward your ear at a 45-degree angle and lift your left hand up. Hold for 10 seconds.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Come out from the pose and relax.
Work both sides equally. Nasolabial folds are almost always a little deeper on one side, and practicing both sides helps even that out over time.
Want to see more face yoga techniques for this area? Watch this video for additional nasolabial folds exercise.
The Sleeping Habit That Makes a Big Difference
One thing many people don’t think about is how they sleep. When you sleep on your side, your cheek presses into the pillow for hours every night. Over time, this pushes the nasolabial folds deeper.
Sleeping on your back removes that pressure completely. If you are not used to it, here are a few things that help:
- Start by placing a pillow under your knees — it makes back sleeping feel more natural and comfortable
- Try a specially shaped beauty pillow that supports your neck and keeps your face from pressing into the pillow if you turn in the night
- Put a rolled towel or small pillow on each side of you to stop yourself from rolling over
Even sleeping on your back just a few nights a week can make a noticeable difference in how your face looks in the morning.
Read more tips on how to sleep on your back here.
“My cheeks are much more symmetrical! Before FYM one of my cheeks was gaunt and now it is smoother and fuller like the other cheek! And I have less defined nasolabial lines and less puffiness around my eyes. So happy about this fast turnaround, amazing!” ~ Laura
FAQ
Does face yoga work for nasolabial folds?
Yes — with daily practice. Face yoga lifts and strengthens the cheek muscles that sit above the fold, and improves circulation in the area. The poses push the folds out from the inside while lifting the cheeks above them.
How long does it take to see results?
It depends on the person. Some Face Yogis notice a difference after just one or two sessions — especially how the fold area feels first thing in the morning. For visible, lasting change most people notice results within a few weeks of consistent daily practice. Deeper folds take longer but they do respond.
Can nasolabial folds disappear completely?
Nasolabial folds are a normal part of aging — they will always be there when you smile or make expressions. What face yoga does is make them less deep when the face is neutral and stop them from getting deeper. Many Face Yogis find the folds become noticeably softer over time.
Does sleeping position affect nasolabial folds?
Yes. Sleeping on your side presses your cheek against a pillow for hours every night. Over time this makes the folds deeper. Sleeping on your back removes that pressure and is one of the best habits you can add alongside face yoga.
Ready to Go Deeper?
Do you want to know the 3 real reasons your nasolabial folds keep getting deeper — and how to address them naturally in just 15 minutes a day?
Join us for a free live workshop on July 13 at 9am PT with Tina, Face Yoga Method Coach and Certified Face Yoga Teacher — and learn all the tips and tricks to soften your nasolabial folds naturally, without creams, injections, or surgery.
It is free. It is live. We would love to see you there.
Thank you.