Nasolabial Folds Overview

Nasolabial Folds Treatment

What is Nasolabial Folds Treatment?

Nasolabial Folds Treatment

Dermal Fillers

Nasolabial folds are a cosmetic issue but are not a risk factor for any health condition and do not necessarily require treatment.

Some people who find that their nasolabial folds are especially pronounced may prefer to eliminate them. Some cosmetic procedures can reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds or eliminate them.

Treatment options include:

Dermal fillers are implants that are placed just under the skin. They can plump up the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

A doctor can apply dermal fillers just under the skin in the nasolabial fold area or the upper cheek area to give the cheeks a lift, making the nasolabial folds less noticeable. The procedure can take place in a doctor's office.

Fillers cannot make nasolabial folds disappear, but they can make them less pronounced. They can also be used to help nearby skin look fuller and more youthful.

Doctors can also inject fat into the nasolabial fold area to decrease their appearance. The fat is taken from another area of the body and injected to fill the area, similarly to the dermal filler.

Skin resurfacing treatments

Some skin resurfacing treatments can help the skin surrounding nasolabial folds look more youthful. Laser skin resurfacing, for example, can reduce the appearance of scars and age spots.

Microdermabrasion offers deep exfoliation that makes the skin look younger and thicker. These treatments can help offset the appearance of nasolabial folds, but they will not remove the folds.

Surgical removal

A doctor can greatly reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds using a surgical process called subcision.

This procedure is typically used to treat scars and acne marks but may also help with nasolabial folds.

During subcision, a doctor uses a needle to break up pockets of tissue. This can help restructure the area surrounding nasolabial folds, reducing the depth of the folds, and leaving the surrounding skin looking more youthful.

Another option called excision involves removing the affected skin and attempting to reshape the surrounding area. This approach requires the use of a scalpel but can offer more dramatic results.

Nasolabial Folds Treatment

Experimental treatments

Doctors are continually trying new strategies to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds without surgery.

One option is the use of growth factor, a chemical that stimulates cell growth. A 2015 study evaluated growth factor concentrate injections in 80 people with nasolabial folds.

Exercises for nasolabial folds

The muscles of the face can be toned just like any other group of muscles. Strong facial muscles make it easier to control facial expressions. Just as a toned stomach may look less saggy, a toned face may look tighter.

While frequent smiling can worsen nasolabial folds, a person should not try to refrain from smiling. Laughter and smiling have positive effects on a person's mental health and are important social cues.

Some people claim that facial exercises can strengthen the muscles surrounding nasolabial folds, potentially making them less noticeable.

There is little or no scientific research on the effectiveness of these exercises, but they are not harmful. Anyone who wishes to try them can do so safely and may find them beneficial.

Exercises for nasolabial folds include:

• Puckering the lips in an upward motion, as if kissing the ceiling. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4–5 times.

• Puckering the lips into a pouting motion, then pulling the corners of the mouth out. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 4–5 times.

• With the mouth slightly open, pull on its corners with both index fingers, pulling the corners of the mouth further apart. Hold for 2–3 seconds, and repeat 25–50 times.A person can do these exercises every day.

Prevention

There is no method for preventing nasolabial folds — even children have them when they smile.Those who would like to prevent them from getting deeper or more pronounced should wear sunscreen and protect their face from the sun. This can slow the damage of the sun's harmful UV rays.

Takeaway

Nasolabial folds are a normal part of the face, not a defect. Although they can grow or deepen over time and as a result of smiling, there is no medical need to treat them.

People who are bothered by their nasolabial folds should speak with a skilled plastic surgeon or physician who specializes in aesthetic treatments.

The right treatment will depend on many personal factors, and what works for one person might not work for another. Anyone considering cosmetic procedures should ask their healthcare professional a lot of questions and be clear about their expectations.