Nasolabial Fold Treatment
The two lines that run from the sides of your nose down to the corners of your mouth are softened and eased, so that when you look in the mirror your face looks fresher and less drawn, while still looking like you.
Is this right for you?
The nasolabial folds are the two lines that run from the sides of your nose down to each corner of your mouth. You may also hear them called smile lines. Almost everyone has them to some degree, and they tend to become more noticeable over time as the face gradually loses its cushion of fat and supporting tissue, as the cheeks settle lower, and as the skin responds to a lifetime of smiling and talking each day. The non-surgical approach to nasolabial folds usually relies on a filler — most often a gel based on hyaluronic acid, a water-holding substance that occurs naturally in your body. It is placed under the skin to replace lost volume and soften the fold. Because there is no incision or surgery, the downtime is short, but the result is temporary. Here is how to tell whether this approach is a good match for you.
This may be a good fit if
- Your main concern is a noticeable nasolabial fold caused by loss of volume, and you want to soften and ease it rather than expecting it to disappear completely.
- You want to avoid surgery and you accept that the result is temporary and will need repeat treatments to maintain.
- You are hoping for a modest, natural change that makes your face look fresher, rather than a dramatic difference.
- Your general health is stable, and you do not have an active infection or inflamed breakouts in the area to be treated.
- Your hopes for the result are clear and realistic, and you want to talk things through carefully with your doctor before you decide.
This may not be right if
- Your nasolabial folds are mainly caused by significant sagging of the cheeks and skin — in that case a facelift or another supporting approach may suit you better, and your doctor will talk this through with you.
- You want a fixed, long-lasting result that you never have to repeat; filler gradually dissolves over time.
- You have an active infection or skin lesion in the area to be treated, an uncontrolled bleeding disorder, or a history of allergy to a component of the filler.
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding; it is usually better to wait.
How it works
Everything begins with a consultation. Your doctor will listen to what you are hoping for, examine both nasolabial folds in person while you look straight ahead, in profile, and while you smile, and look for the reason the folds have become more noticeable — loss of volume in the cheeks, cheeks that have settled lower, loose skin, or several factors at once. Your doctor will also ask about your medical history, the medicines you take, and any allergies. This is the time to spell out your expectations and agree together on where the filler should go — sometimes adding volume to the upper cheek gives better support and softens the fold more effectively than injecting directly into it — how much filler is sensible, and whether filler is the right answer for your concern at all.
Before the injection, your doctor usually applies a layer of numbing cream to the skin to keep you more comfortable; many fillers also come pre-mixed with a local anaesthetic. The treatment is done right in the procedure room, while you are awake, with no general anaesthetic needed.
Your doctor places the filler in the correct layer under the skin at the planned points along the fold or in the supporting cheek above it, using a fine needle or a blunt-tipped tube called a cannula. The filler goes in a little at a time and is gently shaped so the surface sits smooth and the two sides stay balanced. Throughout, your doctor injects while watching your face at rest and as you smile, adjusting as they go. The area around the nasolabial folds has blood vessels lying close by, so your doctor works carefully within the safe anatomical plane.
The overall time varies with how much filler is used and how many points need treating. One advantage of a hyaluronic acid filler is that an enzyme called hyaluronidase can be injected to dissolve some of it if the result is not what you hoped for — your doctor will talk this through with you.
Realistic expectations
The aim of the treatment is to replace lost volume so the nasolabial folds are softened, helping your face look fresher and less drawn — not to create a new face. This is a modest, temporary change, visible almost as soon as the filler is placed, and how long it lasts differs from person to person.
What this will not do
- It will not erase the nasolabial folds completely; the aim is to soften and ease them, and with deep folds the result is limited.
- It will not address significant sagging of the cheeks and skin when that is the main cause of the fold; that is a different problem that may need a different approach, such as a facelift.
- It will not give a long-lasting result; the filler gradually dissolves, so repeat treatments are needed to maintain it.
- It will not turn you into someone else; the aim is to soften your own features in a way that stays in harmony with them.
Recovery
Most people go home right after the injection and return to their usual day-to-day activities the same day. You may notice some swelling, mild redness, or a few needle marks where you were treated, and sometimes a little bruising. The points below are general estimates; everyone heals at their own pace.
- Right after the injection
- The area around the nasolabial folds may feel a little swollen, look red, or feel slightly tight, and there may be a few small bruises at the injection points. You go home the same day and usually do not need a dressing.
- The first one to two days
- You should avoid pressing on or rubbing the treated area firmly, go easy on heavy makeup over the injection points, and avoid saunas, hot workout rooms, and alcohol as directed by your doctor.
- Around a few days to one week
- Mild swelling and any bruising usually fade. The filler settles into the tissue and you see your result more clearly, close to its final look.
- Around a few months to over a year
- The filler gradually dissolves over time. How long it lasts varies with the type of filler, the area treated, and your own body. When the fold begins to show again, you can have a top-up if you wish.
Risks & safety
This approach is generally safe when it is carried out by a doctor with the right training using the correct technique, but as with any injection there are risks. Most problems do not happen, yet they can — especially since the area around the nasolabial folds has blood vessels lying close by. You should understand the points below before you decide, and your doctor will go through them with you in detail.
- Swelling, redness, mild pain, or bruising at the injection points, usually settling within a few days.
- An uneven surface, small lumps, or a firm feeling under the skin, which sometimes needs reshaping or an injection of dissolving enzyme.
- The two sides not yet matching, or a result that is not quite what you hoped for, which may need further adjustment.
- Overfilling can make the cheek look too full or make the fold look heavier rather than softer, which is why it is usually best to go slowly.
- Infection at the injection site, which needs treatment with antibiotics or a procedure.
- An allergic or inflammatory reaction to the filler; a delayed inflamed lump (a granuloma) that appears after some time.
- Rare but serious: filler entering or pressing on a blood vessel, blocking it and leading to skin damage, an ulcer, or, very rarely, an effect on vision — this is why the procedure needs to be carried out by a doctor who is thoroughly trained and understands the blood vessel anatomy of the face.
How we do it
The area around the nasolabial folds has blood vessels lying close by, so placing filler here calls for a clear understanding of the anatomy and for putting the filler into the correct, safe layer. For this reason, at The Gioi Dep, the procedure is carried out in a sterile setting by a specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery who understands the blood vessel and nerve anatomy of the face — an important factor in limiting the rare but serious risks. Before turning to technique, our doctors take the time to find out why your nasolabial folds have become more noticeable, so they can decide whether to add volume right at the fold or to support the cheek above it — a plan built around your own face rather than a one-size-fits-all template.
Our doctors speak plainly with you about what filler can genuinely do for your nasolabial folds — including when the honest answer is that the folds are mainly caused by sagging cheeks and skin, and would be better suited to another supporting approach such as a facelift, rather than steering you toward this treatment. We talk with you beforehand about the type of filler used and how things can be adjusted if needed, including the option of injecting dissolving enzyme, and we arrange for you to come back so we can review the result once the treated area has settled. You can always reach out again if something is worrying you.
Frequently asked questions
Does nasolabial fold filler hurt?
Before the injection, your doctor usually applies numbing cream to the skin, and many fillers also come pre-mixed with a local anaesthetic, so most people feel only a slight prick or mild pressure during treatment. Afterward, the area may feel a little tight or tender for a short while.
Will the result look natural?
The aim is to soften the nasolabial folds discreetly so your face looks fresher, not to make an obvious change. The result usually looks natural when the filler is placed in modest amounts and in the right layer. How natural it looks also depends on your expectations and your own features, so talk through what you want carefully with your doctor.
How much time off do I need?
Most people return to their activities and work the same day, since this is an injection that needs no surgery. If there is mild swelling or a little bruising, it usually fades within a few days. The exact time depends on your own body and the nature of your work.
Will this approach erase the nasolabial folds completely?
Filler helps soften and ease the folds, but with deep nasolabial folds the result is limited and they usually are not erased completely. Your doctor will assess your folds and tell you honestly how much improvement is realistic.
How long does the result last?
Filler is temporary and gradually dissolves over time, usually somewhere from a few months to over a year depending on the type of filler, the area treated, and your own body. When the fold begins to show again, you can have a top-up if you want to maintain it.
Will it leave a scar?
Because the filler goes in through a fine needle or cannula rather than through an incision, the approach usually leaves no scar. There may be tiny needle marks or mild bruising at the injection points, and these usually disappear within a few days.
Why does the doctor sometimes inject the cheek instead of injecting straight into the fold?
The nasolabial folds often become more noticeable as the cheeks lose volume and settle lower. In many cases, adding supporting volume to the upper cheek softens the fold more naturally than injecting straight into it. Your doctor will assess the cause in each person to choose the approach that suits you.
What if I do not like the result?
If a hyaluronic acid filler is used, your doctor can inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase to dissolve some of it and adjust the result. This is one advantage of this type of filler. Your doctor will talk through the right approach with you.
Is filler in the nasolabial fold area dangerous?
Most cases go smoothly, but the area around the nasolabial folds has blood vessels lying close by, so there is a rare risk that filler enters or presses on a blood vessel. This is why the procedure needs to be carried out by a doctor who understands the blood vessel anatomy of the face and knows how to prevent and manage this. Your doctor will go through the risks clearly with you.
Am I too old for this?
Age on its own is not a barrier. What matters more is your general health, the condition of your skin, and the reason your nasolabial folds have become more noticeable. Your doctor will assess these factors during the consultation to see whether the approach suits you.
The next step
Book a consultation to find out if this is right for you.
The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.