All About Nasolabial Folds: Tips, Prevention, Treatment

Nasolabial folds, commonly referred to as “laugh lines”, are among the many effects of aging. Nasolabial folds are the indentation lines on either side of the mouth extending from the edge of the nose to the mouth’s outer corners. These folds deepen with age and become more prominent when people smile. Many people also develop wrinkles next to or nearby the folds, which also become more apparent when smiling.

These folds and wrinkles become more pronounced as people age because the folds are made of dense bundles of fibrous tissue and muscles, and as people grow old, the skin tends to become saggy and thin. For some, the volume loss could also be attributed to fat and muscle atrophy as well as bone loss.

The shape and angulation of nasolabial folds can Nasolabialary a lot from one person to another. The term nasolabial fold can be divided into (a) the nasolabial crease and (b) the true nasolabial fold, a much deeper wrinkle with excess tissue, characterized by visible skin hanging over. Consult Avellina Aesthetics for a full assessment and treatment plan.

We are a technologically advanced skin rejuvenation clinic where you can connect with experienced professionals who put your goals and comfort above all.

Causes Of Nasolabial Folds

• Long-term Exposure to the Sun: Overexposure to UV sunlight throughout your lifetime, especially if you don’t apply sunscreen regularly, speeds the aging process of your delicate facial skin. The result is uneven skin texture, spots of discoloration, wrinkles, and nasolabial folds.
  
•  Loss of Facial Muscle Mass: As we age, our facial muscle mass slowly declines. These are the muscles responsible for adding volume and stimulating circulation to our faces. Facial muscles directly affect surface skin so without them, the plumpness, volume, and tightness of the face is more likely to develop wrinkles.
•  Weight Gain or Fluctuation: Gaining significant weight can enhance the appearance of nasolabial folds if there is also prominent and visible weight gain in the face, specifically the cheeks. Also, sudden loss of significant weight can leave behind loose, sagging skin, which intensified the presence of nasolabial folds.
•  Bone Atrophy: Like facial fat density,as we age, we also lose bone mass. Bone atrophy can occur in the craniofacial skeleton, which means the face also loses bone mass, impacting appearance. If the facial bones lose density, the muscles and skin of the skin loses volume.
• Gradual Depletion of Elastin and Collagen: Over time as we age, the body is no longer able to produce collagen and elastin as quickly or in high quantities. Skin loses smoothness and elasticity. Avellina Aesthetics is an expert provider of solutions for these issues. For example, we have specialists to perform micro-needling, which actually stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen!
• The Loss of Hyaluronic Acid:As with collagen and elastin, our bodies’ ability to produce hyaluronic acid decreases depending on lifestyle factors and age. There are procedures to stimulate the body’s production of hyaluronic acid, as well as many self-care serums your doctor can recommend.

Prevention Of Nasolabial Folds

1. Dermal Fillers– 

Also known as temporary fillers, these are implants placed just under the dermal layer to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. To hide nasolabial folds, a doctor can insert these dermal fillers just under the skin in the upper cheek area to give the cheeks a lift, making the nasolabial folds less noticeable.

However, you must know that these fillers cannot make nasolabial folds disappear completely but can make them less pronounced. Facial fillers can also be used to help the nearby skin look fuller and more youthful. Fat taken from another area of the body can also be injected into the nasolabial fold area to decrease the appearance of nasolabial folds.

1. Surgical removal-

Subcision is another surgical process that doctors use to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds. This procedure is usually used to treat acne marks and scars but also works with nasolabial folds. During subcision, pockets of tissue are broken up.

This can help restructure the area surrounding nasolabial folds, leaving the surrounding skin looking youthful and reducing the depth of the folds. Another surgical option is excision. This involves removing the affected skin and attempting to reshape the surrounding area.

1. Natural Treatments–

Some natural treatments to avoid nasolabial folds include facial exercises that you can practice at home. Using moisturizing skincare products that stimulate collagen, such as hyaluronic acid and retinoids, is another way to prevent facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds early. Using sunscreen every day of the year – even on rainy days, cloudy days, winter days, and days when you are mostly inside- is an excellent way to preserve collagen and elastin in your skin.

Diet also plays a significant role, as you may already know. It is advisable to stay away from junk food, smoking, and increase intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats such as olives, avocado, and nuts, along with carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables. Sleep is also very essential. You can preserve collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin and boost their production with a good night’s sleep.

Avellina Aesthetics has helped many people in getting excellent skin treatments like Dermal Fillers Philadelphia and many other procedures. Our skin rejuvenation professionals can give you safe and effective options.