Nasolabial Folds: Causes & Treatments | TRP Hospital

Prominent nasolabial folds.

Prominent nasolabial folds.

Nasolabial folds are the deep creases that extend from the wings of the nose down to the corners of the mouth, significantly impacting the overall appearance of the face. The development of these lines is primarily driven by three factors: changes in fatty tissue and gravity, the natural recession of bone structure, and the environmental destruction of collagen within the skin layers.

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Nasolabial folds Muscles

To understand why these folds become more prominent, we must look at the internal boundaries of the face:
  • Structural barriers: Fibrous tissue acts as a dividing line between the cheek and the mouth area.
  • The formation of deep grooves: When cheek tissue or fat shifts, this fibrous line prevents it from crossing into the mouth area, which causes the tissue to bunch up and creates the clearly visible "fold".

Three Primary Causes of Nasolabial Folds

To effectively address these lines, it is important to identify their specific origin:

1. Fat Distribution and Laxity

  • Excessive fatty tissue: Having surplus fat in the cheeks or overall weight gain can make these folds appear much more prominent.
  • Fluctuating weight: Rapid weight loss can cause the skin to lose its structural support, leading to a sagging or "deflated" appearance.
  • The role of gravity: Over time, gravity pulls cheek fat downward until it hits the fibrous boundary near the mouth, deepening the visible crease.

2. Bone Structure Recession

  • Natural bone loss: Starting as early as age 30, the bone structure around the base of the nose begins to recede and thin out naturally. This recession directly weakens the support for the overlying facial tissue, causing the mid-face to shift and deepen the nasal folds.

3. Decline in Skin Quality

  • Protein degradation: External factors, primarily habitual smoking and chronic sun exposure, are the leading causes of damage to collagen and elastin.
  • Direct impact: The loss of these essential proteins results in a lack of skin elasticity, leading directly to deep, permanent furrows.
Deep nasolabial folds.

Nasolabial folds treatment

Choosing the right treatment requires a professional assessment of the cause and severity of the sagging:

Cause of the Problem

Recommended Treatment Path

Mild fat sagging

The use of non-invasive skin-tightening devices.

Severe fat sagging

The Face-Lock™ Facelift Procedure to effectively reduce deep folds.

Bone recession or volume loss

Dermal fillers or multi-cell fat grafting.

Collagen and elastin deficiency

Focused skin quality care and the prevention of damage from smoking and UV rays.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Nasolabial folds best treatment

Addressing nasolabial folds requires a tailored strategy based on the cause and severity of the problem:

Cause of the Problem

Mechanism

Recommended Treatment Path

Fat sagging and laxity

Fat accumulates above the fibrous tissue due to gravity and aging.

Mild cases: Tightening devices. Severe cases: The Face-Lock™ facelift procedure.

Bone recession

Loss of bone volume at the base of the nose after age 30.

Dermal fillers or multi-cell fat grafting to restore volume.

External factors

UV rays and smoking destroy collagen and elastin.

Focused skin quality care and avoiding environmental damage.

  • Dermal fillers: These are synthetic substances, such as hyaluronic acid, injected directly into the folds to provide immediate lift and hydration.
  • Concentrated multi-cell fat grafting: This technique involves harvesting a patient's own fat, refining it into a concentrated multi-cell state, and reinjecting it to provide a natural and biocompatible volume boost.

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Summary

To slow the progression of nasolabial folds and maintain post-treatment results, we recommend several key lifestyle adjustments:
  1. Sun protection: Avoid direct sun exposure to preserve the collagen within the skin layers.
  2. Smoking cessation: Quitting smoking is essential, as it is a primary factor in destroying the skin's elastic structure.
  3. Proactive monitoring: Bone recession often begins at age 30; pay close attention to facial changes and consult a specialist once significant shifts appear.

Content By

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Dr. Chaiyot

CHAIYOT DENARIYAKUL, M.D.
License No.12095

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Dr. Nutty

Assistant Professor SARINYA URATHAMAKUL, M.D.
License No. 34407

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TRP Hospital Medical Professor Team