Nasolabial folds
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The nasolabial folds are natural depressions of the skin running from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth. They are part of the anatomical structure of the face, but with age they can deepen and become more noticeable. Their formation is mainly related to the skin aging process, loss of volume in the subcutaneous tissues, and the gradual descent of facial structures. In youth these folds are usually subtle and visible only during facial expressions, whereas over the years they can become permanent at rest. Deepened nasolabial folds affect the perception of the face – often giving it a more tired or sad appearance.
Nasolabial folds – filling
One of the most commonly used methods for reducing nasolabial folds is filling the tissues with preparations that increase skin volume. In aesthetic medicine, hyaluronic acid is most often used — a natural polysaccharide present in the skin that has the ability to bind large amounts of water.
The mechanism of action involves introducing the preparation into the area of the fold, which causes:
- lifting of sunken tissues,
- improvement of skin volume,
- smoothing of the indentation,
- improvement of skin hydration and elasticity.
Filling can be performed using various techniques, depending on the depth of the fold and the facial anatomy:
- linear technique along the fold,
- fan technique,
- deposits in deeper tissue layers,
- indirect contouring by restoring cheek volume.
Contemporary aesthetic medicine increasingly emphasizes that the nasolabial folds themselves are often merely a symptom of volume loss in the mid-face, which is why in many cases contouring the cheeks or the zygomatic area is more effective and indirectly reduces their visibility.
The effects of the filler usually last from 9 to 18 months, depending on the type of product, the patient's metabolism, and the technique of the procedure.
Nasolabial folds – treatments
Reduction of nasolabial folds does not always require classic fillers. Depending on the cause of their formation, treatments that stimulate the skin, improve tissue tension, or restore facial volume are also used: treatments that stimulate the skin, improve tissue tension, or restore facial volume.
The most commonly used methods include:
Volumetric procedures
- facial contouring with hyaluronic acid,
- rebuilding cheek volume,
- volumetric lifting of the midface.
Biostimulating treatments
- agents that stimulate collagen production,
- calcium hydroxyapatite,
- tissue stimulators.
Their action involves stimulating fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin, which leads to gradual thickening and firming of the skin.
Procedures using energy-based technologies
- laser skin rejuvenation,
- microneedle radiofrequency,
- ultrasound skin lifting.
These procedures cause controlled micro-injuries in the dermis, which initiate regenerative processes and improve skin tension.
In clinical practice, combined therapies are often used, because the deepening of nasolabial folds is the result of multiple processes: loss of tissue volume, decreased skin elasticity, and the effect of gravity.
Nasolabial folds – price of filling
The cost of filling nasolabial folds depends on several medical and technical factors. The greatest impact on the price of the procedure comes from:
- the type and quality of the filler,
- the amount of filler used,
- the severity of the folds,
- the technique of the procedure,
- the experience of the physician performing the procedure.
In clinical practice, filler usage most often ranges from 0.5 to 2 ml, however in the case of deep folds or the need to restore cheek volume the amount of filler may be greater.
In many cases, during the consultation the physician assesses not only the folds themselves but also:
- cheek volume,
- skin tension,
- facial proportions,
- the dynamics of facial expression.
For this reason the final treatment plan may include more than one procedure, and reduction of nasolabial folds is often part of a broader facial rejuvenation treatment.
