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Whenever you view a treatment option for wrinkles and encounter the words “nasolabial folds,” what comes to your mind? Most of the time, we just gloss over the technical parts of aesthetic procedures and do not bother finding out what it is they exactly mean. This post will go to the lengths of discussing what nasolabial folds are, what causes them, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.
Let’s begin.
What are Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds are the lines that form and become permanent at the sides of the nose and mouth. They extend from the sides of the nostrils down to the corners of the mouth. Younger people can only see the nasolabial folds when they smile or laugh, but as we age, those lines become more noticeable even if while not smiling.
Nasolabial folds are one of the signs of aging because they become more permanently etched as we age. While they do not pose any risk to your health, they can be aesthetically frustrating.
What Causes Nasolabial Folds?
Several factors cause nasolabial folds, but the two biggest reasons are the loss of collagen and elastin as we age and the constant movement of facial muscles.
The Decrease in Collagen and Elastin
Collagen and elastin are the two types of proteins critical for maintaining the healthy structure, smoothness, firmness, and elasticity of the skin. They are also essential for repairing damage to the skin when wounds or injuries happen. But as we age, we lose our supply of these proteins.
When we lose these proteins gradually, the skin loses its ability to maintain its youthful smoothness and shape. Many signs of aging begin forming, such as fine lines and wrinkles. Nasolabial folds are just one of the many kinds of fine lines and wrinkles.
The Constant Movement of Facial Muscles
The facial muscles control the expressions of the face. But over time, as these muscles incessantly move and skin loses its ability to elastically bounce back to its youthful form, the ridges that facial muscles create become more permanent.
Each time we smile or laugh, we form the lines extending from the sides of the nostrils down to the corners of the mouth. As we age and our collagen and elastin production slows down, each smile or laugh slowly sets those lines permanently. Over time, the nasolabial folds become more noticeable and permanent.
These two, the decrease in collagen and elastin and the constant movements of facial muscles, are the two biggest culprits responsible for the development of nasolabial folds.
What Treatments are Available for Nasolabial Folds?
There are many cosmetic treatment options for nasolabial folds. The most popular ones are:
- Dermal fillers
- Microneedling
- Facials
- Wrinkle relaxers
Let’s further discuss these treatments.
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable gels that generally use hyaluronic acid as their primary active ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring compound in the human body that attracts and keeps moisture within its immediate vicinity. When injected beneath the skin, dermal fillers fill the spaces between the muscles and the skin with water.
Dermal fillers give volume to the skin by plumpening it with moisture. It will also reduce wrinkles by filling the ridges in the skin with water.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a minimally-invasive treatment that uses minuscule needles to create controlled injuries in the skin. The micro-injuries are just severe enough to trigger the skin’s healing processes without causing bleeding or scarring. Part of the skin’s healing process is to produce collagen and elastin, the two proteins necessary for the firm and elastic skin.
Microneedling is an excellent option for reducing fine lines, wrinkles, scars, hyperpigmentation, and other minor skin conditions.
Facials
Facials cover a wide range of treatments; each facial treatment can be vastly different from other facials. A facial can focus on cleaning or exfoliating the skin, or it can only try to rejuvenate the skin with serums that enhance collagen and elastin production. There’s a lot that medical aesthetics can do for you using facial; reducing fine lines and wrinkles is one.
Wrinkle Relaxers
Wrinkle relaxers are one of the most sought-after cosmetic treatments worldwide. Most wrinkle relaxers use botulinum toxin to help soften the appearance of wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds.
Botulinum toxin, dubbed the miracle poison, is one of the most dangerous biological compounds; it causes botulism. However, if injected at the right place and with the perfect amount, botulinum toxin can paralyze the muscles that cause nasolabial folds.
How to Prevent Nasolabial Folds from Forming?
There is no absolute way to prevent nasolabial folds from forming unless you can prevent aging and keep yourself from smiling ever again. But there are ways to keep them at bay for as long as possible.
We’ve already discussed some of the Aesthetic House treatments for treating nasolabial folds. But some of those treatment options also help prevent the lines from appearing in the first place. Prevention is better than cure, so it might be helpful to know which cosmetic options are suitable for avoiding nasolabial folds.
Microneedling, facials, and wrinkle relaxers are all suitable for delaying the formation of nasolabial folds.
As already explained above, microneedling triggers the production of collagen and elastin. Such a quality is helpful in both reversing and preventing nasolabial folds.
Facials can also help increase collagen and elastin levels before they become too scarce. At the Aesthetic House, we offer the Diamond Glow Facial, which can be customized to suit your specific needs, including the need for collagen or elastin.
Wrinkle relaxers can paralyze facial muscles before they create ridges on the skin.
The Aesthetic House for Your Aesthetic Problems
The Aesthetic House, based in Florida, offers the best reversal and preventive treatment options for nasolabial folds. Get in touch with our skilled and professional staff by phone at (352) 601-1990, email at [email protected] or [email protected], or by sending us a message through our contact forms. You can find us at 6001 West Nordling Loop, Crystal River, FL 34229. We offer free consultations.
