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Soften the folds from the nose to the mouth.
The lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth deepen as the mid face loses support. The most natural results come from restoring the cheek above the fold, not from filling the crease itself.
Nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them to some degree, since they mark where the cheek meets the upper lip. They become a concern when they deepen with age and start to look like set creases rather than natural contours.
A nasolabial fold deepens because the cheek above it has lost support, so the most natural results come from lifting the mid face, not from packing filler into the crease.
As the face loses collagen, fat, and bone support, the cheek descends and settles onto the fold, deepening it. That is why treating the fold well means rebuilding the structure above it. Depending on the depth and cause, that may be building collagen, restoring cheek volume, resurfacing the skin, or a combination. We build the plan around what is actually driving yours.
Why they deepen, and what they respond to
Nasolabial folds deepen as the mid face loses support. Knowing what is driving yours points to the right treatment.
What deepens them
- Cheek and mid-face volume loss. As the cheek loses fat and support, it descends onto the fold, and the crease deepens.
- Collagen and elastin loss. The skin’s support network breaks down with age, so it can no longer hold the mid face taut.
- Bone changes. The facial framework remodels over time, reducing the structure the skin drapes over.
- Gravity and repeated movement. Years of expression and the constant downward pull settle the fold deeper.
- Sun exposure and lifestyle. UV damage and smoking accelerate collagen breakdown and deepen the folds.
The fold is a symptom, the cheek is the cause
This distinction changes how the fold is treated. It is tempting to see a nasolabial fold as something to fill directly, but the crease is the visible result of a cheek that has lost its support and dropped. Injecting only the fold, without addressing the cheek above it, tends to look heavy and can flatten the face.
The more natural approach rebuilds the mid face first. Stimulating new collagen restores the skin’s own scaffolding, restoring cheek volume lifts the structure above the fold, and resurfacing refines the skin’s surface. Most people benefit from a combination, which is exactly what we design at your consultation.
How we treat nasolabial folds at Renew
Four complementary approaches, matched to what is driving your folds. Most plans combine two or more, built to layer over time.
Sculptra
Sculptra stimulates your own collagen to gradually rebuild the mid-face support that has been lost, lifting the cheek and softening the fold from underneath. It is our lead choice for a natural, build-and-layer result rather than simply filling a crease.
Learn about Sculptra →Dermal Filler
Placed in the cheek and mid face rather than packed into the crease, hyaluronic acid filler restores lost volume and lifts the structure above the fold. Used to support the cheek, which is what softens the fold naturally.
Learn about dermal filler →Helix CO2 Laser
Our fractional CO2 laser resurfaces the skin and stimulates new collagen, refining the surface and improving the tone and firmness of the mid face. A strong complement to structural treatments for a smoother overall result.
Learn about Helix CO2 laser →Medical-Grade Skincare
Retinoids, antioxidants, growth factors, and daily sun protection support collagen, slow the folds from deepening, and protect the results of your other treatments. The foundation that every plan is built on.
Explore medical-grade skincare →Common myths about nasolabial folds
Just fill the fold and it is gone.
The fold is a symptom of a cheek that has lost support and dropped. Injecting only the crease, without lifting the cheek above it, tends to look heavy. Restoring the mid face first gives a more natural result.
Nasolabial folds and marionette lines are the same.
They are different. Nasolabial folds run from the nose to the corners of the mouth, while marionette lines run from the corners of the mouth toward the chin. They often appear together but are treated as distinct areas.
Facial exercises will smooth them out.
There is no reliable evidence that facial exercises reduce nasolabial folds, and building muscle in the area will not restore lost volume or collagen. The folds respond to rebuilding structure, not exercise.
Only surgery can fix them.
Meaningful improvement is realistic without surgery. Building collagen, restoring cheek volume, and resurfacing the skin can soften nasolabial folds noticeably and refresh the mid face.
Nasolabial folds, answered
Let’s find the right approach for your mid face
Book a complimentary consultation and we will identify what is driving your nasolabial folds and build a plan to soften them, naturally and without surgery.
