Woman with dark wavy hair on a sunlit coastal terrace beside the headline “Red Light Therapy for Smile Lines” and subtitle “Can LED Help Nasolabial Folds?

Red Light Therapy for Smile Lines: Can LED Help Nasolabial Folds?

Oct 28, 2026
Beauty by Light · The Smile Line File Evidence / Expression / Skin quality
Understanding the lines around your smile

Red Light Therapy for Smile Lines:
Can an LED Face Mask Help Nasolabial Folds?

A closer look at surface lines, deeper folds and what light therapy can realistically offer, with practical guidance for choosing your next step.

By Beauty by Light Editorial · Evidence checked 28 October 2026 · Written for Australian readers

The direct answer

Red light therapy may improve selected measures of skin quality, but an LED face mask is not established as a way to erase deep nasolabial folds. There is limited direct LED research on this region, alongside broader facial-rejuvenation evidence. Improving surface appearance is different from restoring facial volume or repositioning tissue.1,2,3

Identify the line Fine wrinkles, nasolabial folds and marionette lines are different concerns.
Define the goal Smoother texture and a change in facial contour are different outcomes.
Check the evidence The actual device and the area measured matter more than a generic promise.
01 / Start with the anatomy

Smile lines are not all the same thing

“Smile lines” is a loose description. Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. Their visibility can change with expression, age, sun exposure and changes in facial volume or skin support. They can also be a normal feature of a younger face.1

Nasolabial folds

The nose-to-mouth creases. A fold visible at rest involves more than the appearance of a fine surface wrinkle.

Fine lines around the lips

Smaller perioral wrinkles, including lines above the upper lip. A study of one facial area should not automatically be applied to another.9

Marionette lines

Lines extending down from the mouth corners towards the chin. These are separate from nasolabial folds.4

This distinction changes the question to ask of an LED mask. Are you hoping for smoother-looking skin around the fold, or for the fold itself to become substantially shallower? Those outcomes need different evidence.

A useful starting point: compare the area at rest and during a natural smile. This can help you explain your concern during a consultation, but it is not a way to diagnose the tissue changes yourself.
Woman in a graphite sleeveless top smiling naturally outside a contemporary shopping arcade.
02 / What the studies actually tell us

Does red light therapy help nasolabial folds?

There is some directly relevant LED research, but it is small and should be interpreted alongside its setting and design. Broader wrinkle research is useful context; it is not a substitute for a demonstrated change in deep folds.

Direct regional evidence / 2007

A small LED study included the nasolabial region

Thirteen participants with periorbital and nasolabial wrinkles or fine lines received nine treatments using a clinical Omnilux LED system with 633 and 830 nm light. Assessment included photography and participant feedback. The authors reported that treatment was more effective around the eyes than in the nasolabial region.2

What that supports: a signal worth studying further. This small clinical series does not establish that a home mask removes deep folds, and it does not validate the Beauty by Light device. The published abstract is the basis of this summary.

Broader home-device evidence / 2026

Facial rejuvenation is a broader category

A systematic review included eight studies and 365 participants using home LED devices. It found improvements in selected facial-ageing outcomes, including wrinkles, texture and elasticity. Protocols varied, comparative evidence was limited and diverse skin phenotypes were underrepresented.3

What that supports: considering selected devices for cosmetic skin goals. It does not supply a universal nasolabial-fold reduction percentage, prove equivalence between devices or establish restoration of cheek volume.

A commonly confused category / Laser research

A laser study is not an LED-mask trial

A 2022 non randomised study assessed nasolabial folds with ultrasound after treatment using an 810/980 nm, 2-W class IV laser. It involved nine treated women and five younger comparison participants, and reported improvements from baseline.5

What that does not prove: that a consumer LED mask produces the same effect. The technology, exposure, study design and comparison group differ. Its protocol should not be recreated with an at-home device.

Our interpretation: evidence for selected skin-quality outcomes is more developed than evidence that home LED masks substantially correct deep nasolabial folds. A claim such as “collagen support” needs a separate step of proof before it becomes “this device fills smile lines”.
03 / Set the right expectation

Why a skin-quality change is different from a lifting result

A nasolabial fold can reflect changes in skin, cheek fullness and underlying support. Sun damage, smoking and substantial weight changes may also affect its appearance.1

An LED mask has not been established as an equivalent to adding soft-tissue volume or surgically repositioning facial tissues. A smoother surface may still be worthwhile to someone whose goal is skin appearance, but it should not be sold as a predictable correction of the fold's structure.

Before buying, write down the result you want: softer-looking fine lines, improved texture, a less obvious resting crease, or a change in cheek contour. Ask whether the evidence measures that particular outcome rather than simply using the word “rejuvenation”.

For another region where endpoint choice matters, see our guide to red light therapy for forehead wrinkles .

04 / Understand the alternatives

LED, skincare and professional treatment: different jobs

Moisturiser

Retaining water in the skin can make some fine lines look less prominent. This is a useful surface effect, not proof that a moisturiser has replaced lost facial volume or permanently changed a deep fold.6

Retinoids

A suitable retinoid may help fine lines, texture and other signs of photoageing over time. Formulation and tolerance matter; introduce treatment cautiously, maintain moisturiser and sun protection, and seek advice for reactive skin. Retinoids should not be used during pregnancy.7

LED masks

An optional consideration for selected skin-quality goals, with device-specific evidence and instructions. A credible plan does not promise a filler-like effect or a fixed amount of lift.

Clinical options

A qualified clinician can assess whether volume, skin quality or tissue position is the main concern. Depending on the findings, the discussion may include a procedure, skincare or no treatment. Fillers add fullness; other approaches have different targets and recovery requirements.8

These procedures carry their own risks. Injections can cause serious complications, including vascular injury. Review practitioner qualifications, the proposed product and the management of complications before proceeding.9,10

The right comparison is not “which option wins?” but whether an option addresses your goal with acceptable risks, cost and ongoing care. Read red light therapy versus retinol and LED light therapy versus laser  for more context.Create a luxury photorealistic Beauty by Light product editorial photograph, exactly 1122 x 1402 pixels, portrait orientation. Use an attached photograph of the actual Beauty by Light LED face mask as the essential reference. Preserve its exact white shape, eye and mouth openings, straps, controller, proportions and existing branding. Photograph the mask switched off on a clean deep-graphite powder-coated aluminium side table on a sheltered modern rooftop terrace. In the softly blurred background show ordinary contemporary Australian city buildings, a simple silver metal railing and a pale overcast sky. Place all referenced product parts naturally on the table with believable support and accurate contact shadows. Soft diffused daylight, realistic silicone texture, refined citron-yellow details in the outdoor furniture and a restrained silver, graphite and frosted white palette. Airy premium magazine styling with no fabric props. No people, cloths, towels, flowers, food, pool, garden, stone surface, classical architecture, glowing LEDs, invented product parts, extra devices, added text, treatment claims or watermark. If the actual product reference is missing, request it rather than inventing or redesigning the mask.

05 / A considered home routine

How to use an LED mask when smile lines are your concern

If your goal and expectations fit the available evidence, keep the routine simple enough to follow consistently. The schedule belongs to your actual device, not to a research protocol or a social-media challenge.

  1. Prepare skin as directed. Follow your manual's cleansing and product-preparation instructions. Do not apply an unapproved cream beneath the mask because it is marketed for “collagen”.
  2. Fit the mask in its intended position. Check comfortable coverage without pulling it tightly over the nose-to-mouth area, folding the device or shifting the eye openings. A visible gap is a question for the manufacturer, not a reason to improvise.
  3. Use the specified settings and session length. More colours, a stronger headline output or additional cycles do not automatically improve your result.
  4. Coordinate the rest of your skincare. Apply moisturiser and any agreed actives according to your routine and device instructions. Introduce changes gradually so reactions are easier to identify.
  5. Protect against UV exposure. In Australia, use SPF50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen alongside clothing, shade, a hat and sunglasses when UV is 3 or above. Apply 20 minutes before going outside; reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.11

For timing and preparation, see what to apply under an LED mask and our LED frequency and overuse guide .

06 / Measure what matters

How to assess results without misleading yourself

A fold casts a shadow. Changing the angle of a window, camera or chin can alter that shadow without changing the underlying tissue. A broad smile in the first photograph and a relaxed expression in the second is also not a fair comparison.

A more useful progress record

  • Use the same camera, distance, angle and lighting.
  • Photograph a relaxed face and a natural smile separately.
  • Keep makeup, filters and skin preparation consistent.
  • Note changes in moisturiser, active skincare, procedures and weight.
  • Assess texture and the resting fold as separate observations.

This improves the record you can discuss with a clinician, but does not prove causation or measure collagen at home.

There is no validated universal timeline for a home mask to correct nasolabial folds. Agree on a review point appropriate to your device and goals. If the fold remains visible, do not treat that as a reason to exceed the instructions.

07 / Suitability and treatment timing

Safety, sensitive skin and recent procedures

Ask a clinician before use if you have a light-sensitive condition, take photosensitising medicine or have an eye condition. Use the eye protection specified for the device. If you are prone to pigmentation, discuss the actual wavelengths and your skin history rather than assuming every setting is suitable.12

Stop for pain, persistent irritation or eye symptoms. After injections, resurfacing or another procedure, follow your treating clinician's clearance and aftercare. A universal 24- or 48-hour waiting rule is not a substitute for assessment of the treatment and your recovery.

See our LED mask safety guide and guide to LED after cosmetic procedures .

Woman in a citron-yellow one-shoulder top smiling at a contemporary outdoor design market.

08 / Frequently asked questions

Red light therapy for smile lines: FAQs

Can an LED face mask get rid of smile lines?

Complete removal is not established. It may be reasonable to consider LED for selected skin-quality goals, while deep nasolabial folds require a different expectation and sometimes a professional assessment.

Is there any LED research on nasolabial folds?

Yes. The small 2007 clinical series discussed above included the nasolabial region, but it does not establish a predictable home-mask correction of deep folds.

Is red light therapy the same as a “natural filler”?

No equivalent volume-restoring effect has been established. Cosmetic skin improvement should not be described as replacing the function of an injectable filler.

Will smiling more make my routine pointless?

No. Expression and resting appearance are different observations. Smiling is a normal facial movement; compare like-for-like expressions when recording progress rather than trying to keep your face still.

Should I use extra sessions directly over the folds?

No. Follow the intended fit, coverage and schedule. Do not pull the mask tightly, fold it or add sessions to compensate for a disappointing result.

Can I use LED after having dermal fillers?

Ask your treating clinician about your device and the timing of use. The injection sites, product, swelling, healing and mask pressure matter. Do not rely on a generic waiting period.

Can LED help marionette lines too?

Marionette lines are a separate region and concern. General wrinkle results do not automatically demonstrate improvement in the folds running from the mouth towards the chin.

Which LED mask is best for nasolabial folds?

The evidence reviewed does not establish a universal best mask for this outcome. Prioritise credible device-specific information, safe fit and realistic goals over a promise to erase folds.

Choose around your goal, not a promise

If your aim is to support skin appearance and LED is suitable for you, compare the actual product instructions, specifications and evidence before purchase. The research in this article does not establish nasolabial-fold correction with the Beauty by Light mask.

Explore Beauty by Light LED masks

Explore related guides

Red light therapy for forehead wrinkles LED face masks for menopausal skin Red light therapy versus retinol The LED Light Therapy Learning Hub

Research and clinical sources

  1. Cleveland Clinic. Nasolabial folds: causes and treatment. Anatomy, contributing factors and treatment context.
  2. The use of light-emitting diode therapy in the treatment of photoaged skin. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2007. doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00329.x. Summary based on the published abstract.
  3. Das RK et al. Efficacy and Safety of At-Home Light-Emitting Diode Photobiomodulation for Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2026.
  4. Cleveland Clinic. Marionette lines.
  5. Omidi P et al. The Effects of a 2-W Laser on the Nasolabial Fold of Ageing Individuals Investigated by High-Frequency Ultrasonography: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Lasers in Medical Sciences. 2022. doi:10.34172/jlms.2022.71. A laser study, not an LED-mask trial.
  6. American Academy of Dermatology. Wrinkle remedies.
  7. American Academy of Dermatology. Retinoid or retinol?
  8. American Academy of Dermatology. Fillers: overview.
  9. US Food and Drug Administration. Dermal fillers: uses, limitations and risks. US regulatory information; not Australian approval guidance.
  10. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Things to consider before undergoing procedures involving dermal fillers. Australian consumer information.
  11. Cancer Council NSW. Sunscreen.
  12. American Academy of Dermatology. Is red light therapy right for your skin?

Editorial disclosure: Beauty by Light sells LED devices. Evidence involving other devices is identified separately from claims about our products. This is general education, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan, and does not claim independent medical review. Replace image-production panels with final images before publishing.

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