NASOLABIAL FOLDS

What are naso-labial folds?

The nasolabial folds are the indentation lines on either side of the mouth that extend from the edge of the nose to the mouth’s outer corners and are one of the earliest signs of aging. They can become more prominent when you smile and tend to deepen with age. Technically, through this natural ageing process, the central part of the face loses soft-tissue volume whilst the fat pads from the lateral parts of the face, thin and drop downwards.

Why have I got nasolabial folds?

The most common factor in the deepening of nasolabial folds is age. Excessive weight loss can also cause the nose to mouth lines to become deeper in appearance.

Why are my nasolabial folds becoming more noticeable?

Nasolabial folds become more noticeable due to a variety of factors, including:

  • Loss of collagen with age, making the skin look weak and thin
  • Loss of fat, which can make the cheeks and nearby regions appear saggy
  • Sun exposure, which damages the skin, causing wrinkles and changes in texture
  • As the skin ages, facial expressions can cause deeper wrinkles. Just as frequent scowling can cause lines near the eyebrows, smiling can make nasolabial folds deeper
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to environmental pollutants
  • Rapid weight loss or frequent fluctuations in weight

What are the benefits of using dermal fillers to treat nose to mouth lines?

Dermal filler injections will make the area look smoother and younger, with less of a separation between the cheeks and the lower face.

Why is there a bit of a debate whether nasolabials folds should be filled with dermal fillers?

The reason there is a bit of debate with this treatment is because there is an argument that the nasolabial area is mostly caused by volume loss in the cheeks, causing loss of structural support for the cheek, causing it to “fall down”, creating the nasolabial fold.

However, this can only be assessed by a face to face consultation as it may well be you are not a candidate for treatment for the nasolabial fold but actually require cheek augmentation to address this volume loss – treating the cause, rather than treating the symptom (deepening nasolabial folds).

What will I look like immediately after treatment?

The area may be a little bit pink but will settle down quite quickly.

Will it hurt?

A numbing cream will be offered to you for comfort. In addition, some of the products Nurse Julie uses have a numbing agent in them so this also helps with any possible discomfort.

What happens during the treatment?

Using several small injections, Nurse Julie will inject the dermal filler in precise areas for your maximum aesthetic effect.

How will the area look immediately after the injection?

Immediately after the injection, the treated area may appear overfilled with mild bruising or swelling. There may also be some transient redness and numbness. These symptoms may be alleviated within a couple of hours or a few days using topical ice application.

Treatment Summary

PRICE

From £350

ANAESTHETIC

Topical and/or local

BACK TO WORK

Immediately – 1 day (depending on areas treated)*

PROCEDURE TIME

30 - 40 mins

DURATION OF RESULTS

18 months to 3 years

RESULTS

Results may vary from person to person

*Assuming no bruising.
**Depending on severity, some patients may require further treatment at the time.

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