It’s healthy to smile a lot. People who exude happiness are naturally more attractive. But that can come at a price. While to some, laughter lines – or smile lines – may be a sign of ‘character’, others simply see them as a sign of ageing.

That’s because, as you age, you lose collagen and fat in your face, both of which are vital to maintaining its structural integrity. And as they diminish, wrinkles appear: something more noticeable in the mobile areas of the face, such as the eyes and mouth.

This can lead to smile lines – the ‘wifi-signal’ lines around the corners of the mouth – or ‘smokers’ lines’, the small vertical wrinkles between the upper lip and nose so-called because of the way smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Dr Joshua approaches this in two stages. The key to treating both is to restore some of the deeper tissue volume and regain that structural integrity.

This is important because it will ensure longevity of the results and help to keep the signs of ageing at bay. Then he adds a finer filler to smooth out the superficial wrinkles, something that can often be done in the same sitting.

Is Botox or filler better for smile and smokers’ lines?
It depends on whether the lines are dynamic – they appear when the lips move – or static. Toxin can be a good choice in the former case but in most, the popular option tends to involve dermal fillers.

What are the best treatments for lines around the mouth?
Given that smile and smokers’ lines are often caused by the repetitive movement of muscles, Botox delivered skilfully in small doses can relax those muscles, significantly reducing the appearance by reducing the movement of those muscles.