What Are Nasolabial Folds and How Are They Treated?

Nasolabial folds are the natural creases extending from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Over time, these lines can become more pronounced due to factors such as aging, collagen loss, sun exposure, and repetitive facial movements, potentially causing aesthetic concerns. While injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid can provide temporary improvements, surgical interventions may be considered for deeper or more persistent folds. With the correct technique applied to a suitable candidate, results can be both natural-looking and satisfying. Additionally, lifestyle adjustments such as sun protection and quitting smoking can support and prolong the benefits of treatment. A personalized treatment plan ensures safe and effective intervention, promoting a youthful, healthy appearance over the long term. Adhering to medical guidance helps maintain positive outcomes for an extended period.

How Do Lifestyle Choices Affect Nasolabial Folds?

Although nasolabial folds are a natural part of the aging process, lifestyle factors significantly influence how pronounced these lines become. Prolonged sun exposure accelerates collagen and elastin breakdown, leading to faster development of wrinkles and sagging. Using broad-spectrum sunscreen reduces UV damage, helping maintain skin elasticity. Smoking, on the other hand, constricts blood flow in the skin and introduces toxins like nicotine, deepening these folds over time. Quitting smoking not only benefits overall health but also improves the skin’s appearance.

Diet also plays a pivotal role in skin health. A lack of vitamins and proteins reduces collagen production, limiting the skin’s ability to repair itself. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E offers antioxidant benefits that aid in tissue renewal, while adequate protein supports skin repair mechanisms. Staying hydrated keeps skin cells supple and prevents dryness that can accentuate nasolabial lines. Additionally, sufficient, high-quality sleep helps boost collagen synthesis. Chronic stress can speed collagen breakdown, so stress management—through mindfulness or meditation—can improve both general well-being and skin appearance.

Which Non-Surgical Treatments Are Available for Nasolabial Folds?

Moderate nasolabial folds can often be effectively addressed using modern, non-surgical treatment options that provide safe, minimally invasive solutions, helping patients achieve natural, satisfying results.

• Dermal Fillers: Fillers remain one of the most popular treatments for minimizing nasolabial lines. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers restore lost volume in the skin and produce noticeable improvement. Because HA is naturally found in the body, the risk of allergic reactions is relatively low, and outcomes can be quite effective. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers stimulate collagen production over time, while calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) also boosts skin firmness through neocollagenesis, enabling long-lasting, natural results.
• Radiofrequency (RF) Devices: These treatments deliver controlled heat to deeper skin layers, encouraging collagen tightening and remodeling. Non-ablative RF devices can be highly effective in addressing nasolabial folds and mild skin sagging, improving facial contours without the need for surgery.
• Polydioxanone (PDO) Fillers: PDO-based fillers are biodegradable and help tighten and rejuvenate the skin, reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Combining different methods—such as RF with laser therapy—can enhance collagen formation, producing firmer, younger-looking skin. This synergistic approach can address not only nasolabial folds but also other facial wrinkles.

How Effective Are Injection-Based Treatments for Nasolabial Folds?

Injection-based treatments, such as dermal fillers, are frequently used to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid (HA) and poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers correct volume loss and soften deep facial lines. Clinical studies support their efficacy and safety.

HA fillers often produce noticeable improvements in the first few months after treatment. According to a meta-analysis, Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) scores decreased significantly in the first month and maintained effectiveness up to six months. For patients seeking longer-lasting outcomes, PLLA fillers can be used to stimulate collagen production, resulting in more durable effects.

Injection techniques also play a crucial role in achieving successful results. Recent developments in intraoral injection methods can more effectively address deep folds, improving patient comfort and lowering complication risks, although further research is needed for long-term efficacy data.

In terms of safety, major complications are rare when these injectables are administered by qualified professionals. Minor bruising, tenderness, and swelling are the most common side effects, typically resolving within a few days. Many HA-based fillers include lidocaine to reduce pain without diminishing their safety profile.

What Surgical Options Exist for Treating Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are among the most noticeable facial aging signs, and surgical treatments can significantly reduce their appearance. These approaches are chosen according to the patient’s individual requirements, aiming for a natural, lasting outcome:

• Rhytidectomy (Facelift): By targeting loose skin and deep wrinkles, a facelift can effectively diminish nasolabial folds, offering longer-lasting results, especially for older patients.
• SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Lifting: Tightening and repositioning the SMAS layer supports deeper facial structures and yields more natural, durable results, reducing the depth of nasolabial folds while rejuvenating the face.
• Deep-Plane Facelift: Concentrating on midface rejuvenation, deep-plane techniques reposition deeper tissues for significant improvement in pronounced nasolabial folds, often preferred for severe sagging.
• Composite Facelift: This advanced method addresses deeper facial tissues and the eye muscles, offering comprehensive rejuvenation that enhances overall facial harmony and improves nasolabial folds.
• Dermal-Fascial Release and Fat Grafting: Releasing dermal adhesions and injecting autologous fat can smooth deep folds, delivering a minimally invasive yet effective solution.
• Nasolabial Flap Surgery: Though often employed for reconstructive purposes in nearby regions, it demonstrates the versatility of surgical options for addressing complex issues in the nasolabial region.

Dr. Erman Ak

Op. Dr. Erman Ak graduated from Ankara Hacettepe Tıp in 2014 and completed his specialization at Istanbul University Çapa Medical Faculty. He received advanced microsurgery training in Taiwan and, as an ISAPS fellow in Italy, training in facial and breast aesthetics. Dr. Ak holds the European Union Aesthetic Plastic Surgery qualification certificate from EBOPRAS and contributed to the establishment of the Plastic Surgery Department at Başakşehir Çam and Sakura Hospital. He currently accepts patients from Turkey and various other countries at his clinic in Nişantaşı.