Nasolabial Folds Treatment: Complete Guide to Smoothing Smile Lines

Nasolabial folds — also known as smile lines or laugh lines — are the deep creases that run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. They naturally deepen with age due to volume loss, skin laxity, and midface sagging.

While they’re a normal part of facial anatomy, many people feel they make the face look older, tired, or heavier. The good news: modern aesthetic treatments offer multiple solutions depending on anatomy, severity, and age.

This guide breaks down the top treatments for nasolabial folds and how to choose the right option.

What Causes Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds form and deepen due to:

✔ Volume loss in the midface

Cheek fat pads descend, creating a shadow around the fold.

✔ Skin aging

Collagen and elastin decrease, making folds more visible.

✔ Repetitive expressions

Smiling and laughing contribute over time.

✔ Genética

Some people develop strong folds earlier.

✔ Bone resorption

Aging reduces underlying structural support.

✔ Fat descent

Jowling and lower-face sagging add heaviness.

Understanding the cause helps determine the right treatment.

Best Nasolabial Fold Treatments

Korean and international clinics use a combination approach to treat folds, since lifting, volumizing, and smoothing often work better than a single method.

1. Dermal Fillers (Most Popular)

Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm add volume to soften the folds.

Benefits:

• Immediate results
• Natural softening effect
• Minimally invasive
• Customizable

Best for:

Mild to moderate folds.

Longevity:

6–18 months depending on product.

Note: The best technique is not injecting directly into the fold only — also lifting the midface to reduce downward pull.

2. Midface / Cheek Fillers (Structural Approach)

Instead of filling the fold, adding volume to the cheek and deep midface restores natural lift.

Why it works:

Because many nasolabial folds deepen due to cheek descent, not skin folding itself.

Benefits:

• Lifts the fold
• Restaura el contorno juvenil.
• Evita sobrellenar la zona nasolabial

This technique is widely used in Korea.

3. Fat Grafting (Long-Lasting Volume)

Se inyecta grasa autóloga para suavizar los pliegues y dar soporte a la parte media del rostro.

Benefits:

• De larga duración
• Natural texture
• Excellent for moderate to deep folds
• Improves skin quality

Best for:

Patients in 30s–50s wanting longer-term correction.

4. Lifting con hilos (levantamiento sutil)

Los hilos PDO o PCL levantan los tejidos flácidos hacia arriba.

Benefits:

• Reduces heaviness around folds
• Non-surgical
• Mejora la línea de la mandíbula y la parte media del rostro al mismo tiempo.

Best for:

Mild sagging and early folds.

5. RF Microneedling (Texture + Tightening)

Devices such as Secret RF and Morpheus8 improve deep lines and skin elasticity.

Benefits:

• Stimulates collagen
• Tightens lower face
• Reduces line depth

Best for:

Pliegues finos a moderados.

6. Laser Treatments (Skin Rejuvenation)

Los láseres fraccionados de CO₂, Er:YAG y de rejuvenecimiento ayudan a suavizar la apariencia.

Benefits:

• Improves skin texture
• Smooths superficial wrinkles
• Stimulates collagen

Best for:

Líneas finas envejecimiento general de la piel.

7. Botox (Selective Use)

El Botox se puede utilizar con moderación alrededor del área nasolabial para reducir la tensión muscular, pero debe usarse con mucho cuidado.

Best For:

Softening dynamic wrinkles.

8. Surgical Options (For Severe Folds)

Si los pliegues son profundos debido a un flacidez estructural, la cirugía puede ser la opción más efectiva.

Surgical choices include:

• Deep Plane Facelift (best for severe folds)
• SMAS Facelift
• Midface Lift
• Fat repositioning
• Lower face lift

Benefits:

• Most powerful improvement
• Restores youthful midface
• Long-lasting results

Best for patients 40s–70s with significant sagging.

Which Treatment Is Best for You?

✔ Pliegues suaves:

Fillers, RF microneedling, laser tightening.

✔ Moderate folds:

Midface fillers + nasolabial fillers, thread lifting, fat grafting.

✔ Pliegues profundos:

Fat grafting, structural fillers, or facelift options.

✔ Severe sagging with folds:

Deep plane facelift or SMAS facelift.

Combination Approach (Most Effective)

Most patients see the best results from combining:

• Midface lifting
• Volume replacement
• Skin smoothing

For example:
Cheek filler + nasolabial filler + RF microneedling
or
Fat grafting + thread lift
or
Deep plane facelift + fat repositioning

Korea is known for layered, natural facial rejuvenation.

Reflexiones finales

Los pliegues nasolabiales son una parte normal de la anatomía facial, pero los tratamientos estéticos modernos pueden suavizar, levantar y rejuvenecer significativamente las líneas de expresión. Ya sea que prefiera rellenos, injertos de grasa, hilos tensores, estiramiento de la piel o lifting quirúrgico, el plan adecuado depende de su anatomía y patrón de envejecimiento.