What Are Nasolabial Folds?

Skin aging in individuals is most visibly manifested as facial wrinkles, among which nasolabial folds are the most prominent. These folds run bilaterally along the sides of the mouth. As collagen in the skin gradually diminishes, the nasolabial folds deepen progressively, causing the overall facial contour to sag downward—contributing significantly to an aged appearance. Therefore, timely intervention to lift and tighten the skin becomes essential once nasolabial folds deepen, in order to preserve a youthful look.

What Are Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are two vertical lines extending downward from the sides of the nostrils. They represent a classic sign of cutaneous tissue aging, resulting in visible surface depressions. The two primary causes of nasolabial fold formation are age-related skin laxity and excessive facial expression. Massage techniques may help prevent or reduce nasolabial folds, while advanced technological interventions can effectively eliminate them. Prominent nasolabial folds often impart a stern, aged, or unapproachable appearance, diminishing warmth and approachability.

Since nasolabial folds primarily arise from underlying muscular anatomy, conventional facelift surgery—which focuses on subcutaneous dissection and skin tightening—often yields limited improvement in their appearance. Even when forcibly tightened, such procedures frequently result in an unnaturally taut facial appearance and stiff, unnatural expressions. Moreover, postoperative swelling resolution typically leads to rapid reversion to the preoperative state.

Methods for Nasolabial Fold Correction

The most advanced current approach involves an incision within the scalp combined with minimal incisions in the upper eyelid or lower eyelid (transconjunctival or transcutaneous), enabling subperiosteal dissection of the malar region. For patients with exceptionally deep nasolabial folds, additional intraoral incisions along the upper gingival mucosa allow for muscular release, followed by upward vector traction toward the temporal scalp incision. Because dissection occurs beneath the periosteum, both sagging muscle and overlying skin can be lifted simultaneously without producing an overly tight or “pulled” appearance. Furthermore, the subperiosteal plane contains fewer blood vessels and no motor nerves, thereby minimizing risks of hematoma and nerve injury—and significantly shortening postoperative edema resolution time. Typically, cheek swelling subsides even faster than swelling following eyelid surgery.

Autologous cell injection therapy involves harvesting fibroblasts from the patient’s own dermis, followed by in vitro culture, proliferation, and purification. Cultured cells multiply thousands-fold to achieve a therapeutically effective dose. Once this threshold is reached, the expanded cells are injected into the dermal layer of the targeted wrinkles. Upon reintroduction into the body, these newly proliferated cells resume normal, physiological growth until full maturation. Mature fibroblasts then synthesize new collagen, progressively reducing and ultimately eliminating wrinkles—including nasolabial folds—thereby achieving comprehensive correction.

Currently, surgical intervention remains the most effective method for correcting nasolabial folds. However, patients must allow sufficient recovery time for the skin to heal fully and regain its natural vitality—facilitating optimal correction of nasolabial fold orientation and restoring firm, youthful skin texture.