Nasolabial folds are the area most new clients name when they walk in. They're also the area where direct treatment is most often the wrong answer.
The nasolabial fold runs from the nostril to the corner of the mouth. It exists on every face, even young ones, because it marks the boundary between the cheek and the lip. With age, the fold deepens. The cause is usually deflation in the cheek above, not the fold itself.
This is why direct treatment of the fold is often not the right move. We treat the underlying cause when we can.
Clients come in noticing the fold has deepened in photos. They want it softened. They've often been told elsewhere that filler in the fold is the answer. We give a second opinion that usually involves looking at the cheek first.
Three forces deepen nasolabial folds.
Cheek volume loss is the most common cause. As the cheek deflates, the tissue above the fold descends, deepening the crease below.
Skin laxity contributes once the underlying support has changed.
Repeated expression from smiling and speaking compresses the fold across decades.
Most clients first notice the fold in their forties. Photos show creases that weren't there a decade earlier. Makeup settles in the lines. The lower face starts to look heavier.
Some clients have prominent nasolabial folds from genetics rather than aging. The depth is established earlier in life and doesn't progress as significantly.
The fold becomes more visible from the thirties forward, with the most pronounced changes appearing in the forties and fifties. Skin quality and bone resorption add to the deepening.
Sun exposure and smoking accelerate the appearance. Genetics determine the baseline depth.
The industry approach to nasolabial folds is HA filler placed directly along the crease. Juvederm Vollure, Restylane Refyne, and RHA 3 are common choices. Other clinics use Radiesse or heavier products.
The industry problem is over-prescribing direct fold filler. Treating the fold without addressing cheek deflation can leave clients looking heavier or with unnatural smile mechanics. The fold often returns quickly when the underlying cause isn't addressed.
The nasolabial conversation starts with assessment, not product. We look at the cheek first. If volume has been lost above the fold, that's where treatment usually begins.
When the fold itself is the issue, we use soft HA fillers like Juvederm Vollure, Restylane Refyne, or RHA 3, placed superficially along the crease. We avoid heavy fillers in this area, which can blunt the smile or look obvious.
Dosing is conservative. Most fold corrections use less than half a syringe per side when treated directly.
Many clients leave the consult with a plan that addresses the cheek first and revisits the fold in three months if needed.
At RN Esthetics, every treatment starts with listening. We are nurse practitioners, registered nurses and estheticians who treat every client as the hero of their own story.
.png)
Had my first blood draw today with it was INCREDIBLE!!! Also the front desk were all so pleasant especially Kelsie! I highly recommend RN Esthetics!!
I was truly blown away after my appointment here. Every single person I interacted with, from the front desk to the providers who handled my treatments, was incredible! They made me feel so welcomed and cared for, and were both informative and genuinely kind. The space itself is spotless, cozy, and easily the most inviting place I’ve ever been for Botox. Michelle did my Botox and she was amazing! I also had a hydrafacial and dermaplaning, and I already can’t wait to come back again and again.You will not regret booking here!
I highly recommend RN Esthetics! The staff is welcoming, knowledgeable, and helpful without making you feel rushed. The facility is spotless and clean, which made me feel even more comfortable and confident being there. Great experience overall!
