14/10/2026
Those little lines and creases that appear on your cheeks and around your mouth when you smile… sound familiar? 🤍
Often called accordion lines or dynamic cheek lines, these creases become more noticeable with facial movement, particularly smiling.
Why do they develop?
As we age, several changes can make these lines more pronounced:
✨ Loss of collagen and changes in elastin, reducing skin firmness and elasticity.
✨ Age-related skin thinning and cumulative UV damage, weakening the skin’s structural support.
✨ Loss of facial volume and underlying support.
✨ Repeated facial movements, causing the skin to fold and crease over time.
Eventually, some lines can remain visible even when the face is relaxed.
How can we treat them?
One of my favourite approaches is the Fern Pattern Technique, developed by Dr Tom van Eijk.
This is a skin-strengthening technique using carefully placed hyaluronic acid dermal filler to mechanically reinforce and support the skin, helping to improve its structural strength and soften fine lines and creases without adding unnecessary volume.
Look at the improvement in my patient’s cheek lines and creasing around her mouth, particularly when smiling! ✨
Although I’ve focused on these areas, the technique can also be used for suitable fine lines around the eyes and chin.
The aim isn’t necessarily to eliminate every line, but to strengthen and support the skin, soften creasing and preserve natural facial movement and expression.
Depending on skin quality and the severity of the lines, more than one session may be beneficial.
What about downtime?
Temporary swelling and bruising are common with this technique due to the multiple injection points. Swelling usually settles over the following days, while bruising may take a little longer.
Subtle, natural-looking results that still look like you. 🤍
✨ Ready to explore what treatments could work for your skin? Book your consultation at ELM Aesthetics via the link in my bio.
