Treatment for Nasolabial Folds: Surgical and Non-Surgical Methods
Nasolabial folds, also known as smile lines, are an early sign of aging that leave people frowning. Thankfully, there are many treatment options available - both surgical and non-surgical - that can restore a more youthful appearance to your face.
Nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the corners of your nose to the corners of your mouth. When we are young, they appear only when we smile. But as we get older, the lines deepen and become permanent fixtures on our faces.
Either injectable fillers or a facelift can ease the appearance of smile lines and restore a refreshed, more youthful appearance. Board certified cosmetic surgeon Gregory T. Mesna in Minneapolis tailors nasolabial folds treatment to the needs of his patients, guiding them through the options and advising them on treatments suited to their issues.
Injectable Fillers
Liquid facelifts is the term used when injectable fillers are used to treat nasolabial folds as well as other facial issues. Fillers improve the appearance of folds, loss of fullness, and sagging that occurs when the production of collagen and elastin slows as we age. Fillers can remove years of aging immediately and avoid the expense and recovery of a surgical facelift.
With nasolabial folds, fillers are injected directly into the crease to replace lost facial volume. The treatment is done with a very fine needle and typically takes only 15 to 30 minutes. Results can last for up to a year or more.
Different types of fillers are available depending on your needs and goals. Dr. Mesna can explain the pros and cons of each injectable and can tailor a custom treatment plan. A liquid facelift is ideal for patients with the beginning signs of aging who are not ready for a facelift.
Facelifts
Though injectable fillers are ideal for early signs of aging, the results are temporary and the filler will need to be replenished. In addition, as we age, nasolabial folds get deeper, requiring more filler to be injected each time. Over time other signs of aging, such as jowls, will appear, adding to the problem of smile lines.
At this point, a facelift may be more appropriate. A facelift can reset the clock to a more youthful look and deal with a number of aging issues, in addition to smile lines. Signs of aging that a facelift can treat include:
- Sagging skin
- Jowls
- Excess fat in the face
- Deep creases under the eyes
- Deep creases in the face
Facelifts today come in a spectrum of options from a full facelift to mini and endoscopic facelifts. These newer techniques target specific areas, allowing you to tailor treatment to your needs. An added benefit is that targeted facelifts cost less, reduce scars, and require less recovery time.
Finding the Goldilocks Solution
If you are concerned about nasolabial folds, or other signs of aging, it’s important to understand your options so you can find the “just right” solution for your issues. A personal consultation will allow Dr. Mesna to examine your face and make recommendations based on your unique needs.
If you would like complete explanations so that you can make an educated decision, please contact us for a personal consultation.