Why Do Nasolabial Folds (Smile Lines) Look Deeper in Dim Lighting? Causes, Ways to Reduce Shadows, and Treatments Explained by a Doctor

Why Do Smile Lines Look More Pronounced in Dim Lighting?

First, look at the two photo comparisons below. In each, the nasolabial folds appear deeper in the image taken under darker lighting conditions.

With bright light coming from the front, the face is illuminated more evenly, softening shadows where the cheek meets the nasolabial fold. In dim lighting, or when light comes from above or the side, shadows follow the contours of the face and accentuate creases and changes in surface height. In addition to brightness, the light source’s direction, softness, distance, the angle of the face, and the camera’s exposure and color settings can all affect the result.

Train windows are a common example: the surrounding area is often dark, while overhead carriage lights illuminate the face from above.

▶Watch: Tips for making smile lines look less pronounced in photos

→Learn about different types of nasolabial folds

→Four main categories of causes of smile lines

Four Factors That Make Smile-Line Shadows Look Darker

Uneven Skin Tone, Dryness, and Visible Pores

Dullness or uneven pigmentation around the nasolabial folds can increase the contrast with the crease and make the shadow look darker. Enlarged pores and tiny irregularities caused by dryness may also become more noticeable when light strikes from an angle.

For makeup, a thin, well-moisturized base with a small amount of concealer blended into shadowed areas often looks more natural than applying a thick layer over the crease. Heavy foundation may settle into the fold over time and make the line look more pronounced.

Cheek Fullness, Fat, and Facial Bone Structure

When the cheeks are full or the area beside the base of the nose is recessed, a difference in height forms on either side of the nasolabial fold. Light coming from the side or above casts a shadow into this contour, making the fold appear darker.

Cheek fullness and sagging depend on facial bone structure, skin elasticity, and the amount and distribution of cheek fat. Excessive fat reduction may hollow the cheeks or make loose skin more noticeable. Therefore, removing cheek fat does not always improve nasolabial folds.

→How facial structure affects nasolabial folds

→How cheek fat affects nasolabial folds

→Depressions beside the nose and upper nasolabial folds

Temporary Facial Puffiness

Facial puffiness can temporarily increase cheek volume, making the transition into the nasolabial fold appear more pronounced. If swelling is related to factors such as high salt intake, alcohol, or insufficient sleep, improving these habits may reduce the puffiness and soften the shadow.

→Asymmetry of nasolabial folds

The Crease Itself and Sagging Cheek Skin

Shadows play a major role under dim lighting. However, if a distinct crease is visible even in bright light, reduced skin elasticity, cheek sagging, and depressions beside the nose may also be contributing.

In such cases, it is important to assess the actual depth of the fold, cheek sagging, and the hollow beside the nose rather than relying on lighting or makeup changes alone.

→What causes nasolabial folds?

At-Home Tips to Make Shadows Less Noticeable

Medical Treatments for Smile-Line Shadows

Even when two people both notice their smile lines in dim lighting, the right treatment may differ. Someone with uneven pigmentation may need a different approach from someone with fuller cheeks or hollows beside the nose. At our clinic, we examine the folds in bright lighting, along with cheek volume, nasal-base hollows, and skin condition before recommending treatment.

When Sagging or Heaviness of the Cheeks Makes Shadows More Pronounced

Hyaluronic Acid and Growth Factors Work Differently

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are injected into depressions beside the nose or along nasolabial folds to restore volume and lift recessed areas directly. Improvements are often visible immediately, but too much product can make the area around the mouth look heavy or unnaturally full. Injection location, depth, and amount are therefore important.

At our clinic, growth factor treatment involves injecting growth factors into the dermis with the aim of stimulating collagen production and gradually reducing the appearance of smile lines. Unlike HA fillers, the effect is not immediate; we generally assess the result at around six months. Concentration, dose, depth, and injection technique are selected according to skin condition and fold depth.

→Compare injection treatments for nasolabial folds

→Differences between hyaluronic acid and growth factors

→Nasolabial fold treatment costs

Before-and-After Treatment Cases

The following cases illustrate results from different treatments. Please also refer to the before-and-after labels within the original clinical photographs.

Nasolabial folds

Case with Cheek Fullness and Asymmetry

A patient with deep nasolabial folds, cheek fullness, and facial asymmetry underwent growth factor treatment.

Main risks: swelling, bruising, discomfort, asymmetry, and uneven skin texture, among others.

→Learn about growth factor treatment

Cheek fat

Fat-Dissolving Injection Case

Fat-dissolving injections were administered to an area with noticeable cheek fat. Because reducing cheek fat alone is not always appropriate, treatment was planned after evaluating cheek volume and skin laxity.

Main risks: swelling, redness, pain, bruising, and asymmetry, among others.

→View treatment details, follow-up, and fees

Cheek sagging

Medical HIFU Case

HIFU was used to address mild cheek sagging and reduced jawline definition.

Main risks: pain, redness, swelling, and numbness; rare burns or nerve-related symptoms.

→View treatment details, follow-up, and fees

Immediately after treatment

Hyaluronic Acid: Woman in Her 40s

Hyaluronic acid was injected from beside the nose to the upper nasolabial fold. The photos compare the appearance before treatment and immediately afterward.

Main risks: pain, swelling, bruising, asymmetry, lumps, infection, and vascular complications, among others.

→View treatment details, follow-up, and fees

At six months

Growth Factors: Woman in Her 40s

This patient received growth factor injections for nasolabial folds. The photos compare the appearance before treatment and six months afterward.

Main risks: swelling, bruising, discomfort, asymmetry, and uneven skin texture, among others.

→View treatment details, follow-up, and fees

At six months

Growth Factors: Man in His 50s

Growth factor injections were used to treat deep nasolabial folds. The photos compare the results before treatment and six months afterward.

Main risks: swelling, bruising, discomfort, asymmetry, and uneven skin texture, among others.

→View treatment details, follow-up, and fees

Results and recovery vary from person to person. Because this article discusses the impact of lighting, clinical photographs should ideally be compared under consistent conditions, including lighting, exposure, camera angle, and facial expression. Please see the individual case pages for treatment details, session counts, prices, and major risks and side effects.

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Summary: If Your Smile Lines Look Darker Only in Dim Light, Check the Lighting First

• Looking deeper in low light does not necessarily mean your wrinkles have suddenly worsened.
• Lighting direction, skin tone and texture, cheek contours, and puffiness can intensify shadows.
• Start by assessing your appearance under consistent lighting and reviewing skincare, makeup, and daily habits.
• Choose medical treatments based on what is actually creating the shadow, rather than treating every crease the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions