Nasolabial Fold Treatment | Causes, Prevention & Treatment
Nasolabial folds, often termed smile lines or laugh lines, are the creases that stretch from the sides of the nose down to the mouth's corners, framing expressions and emotions. While these folds are part of our facial structure, integral to how we communicate, they tend to draw attention, especially as they deepen over time. Many people view them as signs of aging or stress, and though completely natural, their prominence can cause concern. This article delves into the multifaceted causes of nasolabial folds, why they become creased, ways to prevent their deepening, and treatments available to address them
.
What Are Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds are naturally occurring indentations on the face, running from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them to varying degrees, and their visibility can shift with expressions and age. Despite misconceptions, these folds are not solely markers of aging but are inherent parts of our facial anatomy.
As we move our facial muscles—whether in laughter, talking, or smiling—these lines become more pronounced. Over time, the skin's elasticity diminishes, making it harder for the skin to bounce back after each movement. The result? More defined, permanent folds. While this process is inevitable, it does not mean the appearance of nasolabial folds is inherently negative; rather, it reflects a dynamic history of expression and emotion.
Causes of Heavy Nasolabial Folds
While nasolabial folds are a natural part of the face, certain factors cause them to deepen, making them more pronounced as we age. These causes intertwine biology, behaviour, and environmental conditions, forming a complex web of influences.
1. Aging and Loss of Skin Elasticity
Aging remains the most significant factor in the deepening of nasolabial folds. As we grow older, the skin loses its ability to regenerate elastin and collagen—two key proteins responsible for the skin's firmness and suppleness. This weakening structure causes the skin to sag, drawing attention to folds that were once more subtle.
With less elasticity, the skin becomes less resilient to the daily wear and tear of facial movements. The cumulative effect of years of smiling, laughing, and frowning leads to permanent creases. Aging is an unavoidable reality, but the speed and severity at which nasolabial folds develop can vary widely depending on other factors.
2. Facial Fat Loss
As we age, fat distribution in the face changes significantly. In youth, the cheeks are fuller, and the fat beneath the skin offers natural support. However, as facial fat diminishes, the structure underneath collapses slightly, causing the skin to fold inward and downwards, increasing the depth of nasolabial folds.
Fat loss doesn't occur uniformly across the face. The fat pads in the mid-face, particularly in the cheeks, decrease, while gravity pulls the remaining tissue downward. This shift causes the skin around the folds to droop, exacerbating their depth and giving the appearance of more prominent lines.
3. Genetic Predisposition
Genetics play a vital role in the early development of nasolabial folds. Some individuals may notice deeper folds at a younger age due to the way their facial muscles, skin thickness, and overall structure were inherited. These genetic factors can make some people more prone to heavier nasolabial folds, even when they are young and their skin is still relatively elastic.
In families where nasolabial folds tend to be pronounced, individuals may start noticing them earlier in life. While genetics can't be changed, awareness of predisposition can guide preventive actions.
4. Sun Damage and Environmental Exposure
Prolonged sun exposure accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, weakening its structural integrity. The damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the leading external factors that speed up skin aging, including the formation and deepening of nasolabial folds.
Environmental pollutants also contribute to skin damage by increasing oxidative stress, which weakens the skin over time. The combination of UV radiation and pollutants can lead to an accelerated aging process, making nasolabial folds more noticeable than they might otherwise be.
5. Smoking and Lifestyle Choices
Smoking is notorious for accelerating the skin's aging process, as it directly depletes the skin's ability to regenerate collagen. The repetitive motion of puckering the lips when smoking also contributes to deepening the surrounding lines, including nasolabial folds. Moreover, lifestyle choices like poor diet, inadequate hydration, and stress can further deplete the skin’s resilience, leading to more pronounced facial folds.
Creased Nasolabial Folds | Why Do They Form?
Nasolabial folds, while natural, become creased due to a complex interplay of factors that cause the skin to lose its ability to return to a smooth state after being folded. The skin's youthful elasticity diminishes with age, and as facial fat diminishes, the underlying structure changes.
Repeated facial movements over the years result in creased folds because the skin is no longer able to spring back into place. This repetitive motion creates lines that settle in, and over time, as volume is lost in the cheeks, these folds become more permanent.
Preventing Nasolabial Folds
While nasolabial folds are part of natural aging, there are steps that can be taken to slow their development and minimise their appearance. Prevention isn't about halting the aging process but about maintaining skin health and resilience.
1. Sun Protection
Regular sun protection is one of the most effective ways to prevent the premature deepening of nasolabial folds. Using broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even when indoors or during cloudy weather, helps shield the skin from damaging UV rays. Protective clothing and accessories like hats and sunglasses offer additional layers of defence and will protect your skin.
2. Hydration and Skin Care
Keeping the skin well-hydrated ensures it remains supple and more resistant to the effects of repeated facial movements. Moisturisers rich in hyaluronic acid help retain moisture, while retinoids and peptides support collagen production, improving skin texture and may help reduce the depth of nasolabial folds.
3. Healthy Living
Lifestyle choices play a major role in skin aging. A balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids can boost skin health. Hydration is essential for keeping the skin plump and elastic, reducing the risk of deep creases forming prematurely. Regular exercise improves circulation, nourishing skin cells and promoting healthy skin.
Treatment Options to Improve Appearance of Nasolabial Folds
For those who wish to reduce the appearance of deep nasolabial folds, several treatments are available, ranging from non-invasive procedures to more significant interventions.
1. Dermal Fillers
Dermal filler injections, typically made from hyaluronic acid, are injected into the skin to restore volume and 'lift' the area around the folds. This reduces the appearance of deep creases by supporting the skin's structure. Results are immediate, although temporary, lasting between six months and two years depending on the filler used, and the patient's anatomy and lifestyle.
2. Collagen Stimulator Injections
Poly-l-lactic acid is a collagen-stimulating injectable that works over time to improve skin volume and reduce nasolabial folds. Unlike dermal fillers, which provide instant results, poly-l-lactic acid works gradually as it stimulates the body’s own collagen production, offering a more subtle, long-term improvement.
3. PDO Threads
Polydioxanone (PDO) threads are inserted into the skin to provide a subtle lifting effect. Over time, these threads dissolve, but the stimulation they provide helps the skin produce collagen, leading to longer-lasting firmness and reduction in nasolabial folds.
4. Laser Skin Resurfacing
Laser treatments can help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, including nasolabial folds, by removing damaged skin layers and promoting collagen production. Fractional lasers, in particular, are effective for improving skin texture and reducing the visibility of deeper lines.
5. Surgical Procedure
For those with significant facial sagging and deep nasolabial folds, face lift surgery may be a viable option. By lifting and tightening the skin, a face lift can effectively reduce or eliminate deep nasolabial folds, offering long-lasting results.
Nasolabial folds, though natural, become more pronounced with age, genetics, and environmental exposure. Prevention through skincare, healthy living, and sun protection can slow their development, but for those seeking more immediate solutions, a range of treatments exists.
Understanding the causes and treatment options for nasolabial folds enables individuals to take proactive steps in maintaining a youthful and vibrant appearance.
Q&A
-
Nasolabial folds deepen with age primarily due to the loss of skin elasticity, collagen, and facial fat. As we grow older, our skin produces less collagen and elastin—proteins that keep skin firm and supple.
Additionally, facial fat diminishes and shifts downward, causing the skin to sag. This results in more prominent creases around the nose and mouth.
Aging is also accompanied by years of repeated facial expressions, such as smiling, which further deepens these folds over time.
-
While it’s impossible to prevent nasolabial folds entirely, as they are a natural part of aging, their severity can be minimized with preventive measures.
Consistent use of sun protection, a healthy lifestyle, and a good skincare regimen that includes hydration and collagen-boosting ingredients like retinoids can delay their deepening.
Other factors, like avoiding smoking and maintaining skin hydration, also help preserve skin elasticity, reducing the early onset of pronounced folds.
-
There are several treatments available to reduce the appearance of deep nasolabial folds, depending on the severity and desired results.
Dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid are a popular, non-invasive option that restores lost volume and lifts the skin around the folds.
For a more gradual effect, poly-l-lactic acid injections stimulate collagen production, while PDO thread lifts offer a subtle lift and firming effect. In more advanced cases, laser skin resurfacing or facelift surgery can provide more dramatic and long-lasting results.
It is advised you consult with a cosmetic medical practitioner to discuss your concerns and treatment options.
