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.

✔ Genetics

Some people develop strong folds earlier.

✔ Tiêu xương

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
• Khôi phục đường nét trẻ trung
• Avoids overfilling the nasolabial area

This technique is widely used in Korea.

3. Fat Grafting (Long-Lasting Volume)

Autologous fat is injected to soften folds and support the midface.

Benefits:

• Lâu dài
• Natural texture
• Excellent for moderate to deep folds
• Improves skin quality

Best for:

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

4. Thread Lifting (Subtle Lift)

PDO or PCL threads lift sagging tissues upward.

Benefits:

• Reduces heaviness around folds
• Non-surgical
• Cải thiện đường viền hàm và vùng giữa mặt cùng một lúc

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:

Nếp gấp từ mịn đến vừa phải.

6. Laser Treatments (Skin Rejuvenation)

Laser CO₂ phân đoạn, Er:YAG và laser tái tạo bề mặt giúp làm mềm mại bề mặt da.

Benefits:

• Improves skin texture
• Làm phẳng nếp nhăn nông
• Stimulates collagen

Best for:

Nếp nhăn nhỏ lão hóa da nói chung.

7. Botox (Selective Use)

Botox can be used sparingly around the nasolabial area to reduce muscle pull, but it must be used very carefully.

Best For:

Softening dynamic wrinkles.

8. Surgical Options (For Severe Folds)

If folds are deep due to structural sagging, surgery may be the most effective option.

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?

✔ Mild folds:

Chất làm đầy, vi kim RF, làm săn chắc bằng laser.

✔ Moderate folds:

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

✔ Deep folds:

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.

Suy nghĩ cuối cùng

Nếp gấp mũi má là một phần bình thường của giải phẫu khuôn mặt, nhưng các phương pháp thẩm mỹ hiện đại có thể làm mềm, nâng và trẻ hóa đáng kể các nếp nhăn khi cười. Cho dù bạn chọn tiêm chất làm đầy, cấy mỡ, căng da bằng chỉ, căng da mặt hay phẫu thuật, phương pháp phù hợp sẽ phụ thuộc vào cấu trúc khuôn mặt và quá trình lão hóa của bạn.