The nasolabial folds or laugh lines refer to the line or crease that runs from the corner of the nose to the corner of the lips.
It is normal for people to have nasolabial folds as it depends on facial bone structure. For example, people with high cheek bones or “apple cheeks” may naturally have slightly deeper laugh lines.
During the aging process, laugh lines usually deepen or worsen because of sagging of the cheeks due to loss of collagen and elasticity coupled with migration of the cheek fat pads.
Other common causes include sun exposure, smoking, fat volume loss and genetic factors.
Nasolabial fold fillers help to instantly fill up the laugh line by increasing volume directly in the crease to create a filling effect.
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Depending on the severity and extent of the nasolabial fold, some may require more than 1 syringe (1ml) of filler on each side to effectively improve the appearance of the laugh line. i.e, 1-2 mls in total.
Dr Edwin may also combine the nasolabial fold filler treatment with other types of face lifting treatments such as HIFU, Cheek Fillers or Face Threadlifts.
The aim of combination treatment is to “lift up” the sagging cheeks and tighten skin because sagging cheeks and lax skin worsen the appearance of laugh lines.
Depending on the depth and extent of the laugh lines, Dr Edwin may choose to use different types of fillers from Juvederm, Restylane or Belotero.
For example, a “harder” filler like Restylane Lyft may be injected into the deepest part of the nasolabial fold, the deep pyriform space.
For the middle and lower part of the laugh line, Dr Edwin may recommend a softer filler such as belotero balance.
Dr Edwin will discuss with you about your face shape and plan out the injection points together with you.
He may choose to direct inject with a small needle into the deep pyriform space (deepest part of the laugh line) or adopt the blunt cannula technique to inject the fillers along the middle and bottom part of the nasolabial fold.
Before each injection, an ice pack is applied to the area to reduce discomfort and bruising.
The treatment should take between 15 to 30 minutes and results can be seen immediately after.
Generally, the injections should feel like small pricks.
Certain areas such as injection into the deep pyriform fossa may be more sensitive. Dr Edwin will take every effort to minimize discomfort.
On average, laugh line fillers may last around 12 months.
Swelling and bruising may be observed for 5 to 7 days after treatment. Dr Edwin recommends applying the intensive recovery cream to reduce bruising and speed up recovery.
Serious side effects like vascular occlusion (when the filler blocks a blood vessel) are very rare. Choosing an injector with experience in dermal fillers and facial anatomy will reduce such risks.
Every clinic offers different Laugh Line Filler treatment options. No one clinic is same as the other. If you want to make sure that the Laugh Line Filler treatments are performed safely and effectively, make sure that the clinic is experienced in Laugh Line Filler injections. The clinic should also offer information on the various types of Laugh Line Filler treatments before proceeding.