The Causes of Nasolabial Folds

Nasolabial folds are the two skin folds on the corner of the nose and the mouth. Facial expressions are the primary cause of these types of folds. Constant muscle contractions caused by laughing or smiling can cause them to develop faster and make them become more prominent as early as the 20’s!

While these folds make the upper cheeks and upper lips more distinctive, over time, they will deepen and become permanent lines. In addition to constant muscle contractions, the aging process, prolonged exposure to the sun, sudden or excessive weight loss, and poor lifestyle habits such as smoking can all lead to the formation of nasolabial folds.

As the folds become more severe, they will become visible even when you aren’t laughing or making expressions that cause them. Traditionally, people thought a face lift was the only way to get rid of nasolabial folds. Fortunately, now there are ways to treat these folds noninvasively with synthetic fillers.

What are Synthetic Fillers? How do they work?

Synthetic Fillers fall into two basic categories: permanent and temporary, according to how long they last. Most cosmetic specialists choose the temporary type for reasons of safety. The most commonly used products are made from Hyaluronic Acids. This is a naturally derived complex sugar molecule in our body.

The hyaluronic acid fillers are smooth clear gels. When placed under the skin, they create fullness and restore hydration to the skin. They can be used to fill in lines, or more globally, in the face to restore youthful fullness. You will be able to see the effects immediately.

The Recovery Process

After the procedure is completed, patients will be advised to avoid extreme cold weather and excessive sun exposure for about two weeks. You can expect the effects to last for about six months to a year for direct fillers, and much longer after full face treatments.

Those with very deep lines may require more than one session to get the truly desired effect. It is common to see a mild amount of swelling or bruising afterward, although, this can be minimized with the use of cannulas, rather than needles for the injection technique. Other side effects less common include bumps, long term swelling, allergic reactions, bluish discoloration, or extremely rare events like inadvertent injection into a blood vessel (this could cause a stroke, loss of vison or facial scarring).

The wonder of this treatment is that it utilizes a substance found naturally in our skin to give it a much-needed natural boost. Since the treatment does not require much downtime, you will be able to carry on with your normal daily activities soon after it is completed. This makes synthetic fillers the preferred treatment for nasolabial folds.

Contact Our Office

As Rhode Island’s leading cosmetic Specialist and board-certified surgeon, Dr. Yoash Enzer can provide the guidance you need to help you acquire the look you desire. Contact us to learn more about facial fillers for nasolabial folds and begin your journey today!