What nasolabial folds are
Nasolabial folds — sometimes called smile lines or laugh lines — run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them to some degree; they are part of how the cheek meets the lip. They become a concern when they deepen into a shadowed groove that makes the face look tired or older, especially in overhead lighting or photos. People often notice them first in their thirties, and they tend to become more pronounced over time.
Why they deepen and which layers are involved
It is tempting to think of the fold as a line that needs filling, but in most cases the fold is a result of changes above it. At Obliv we explain facial ageing as an inside-out process, and our 8-layer Skin Architecture model shows how:
- Bone. The bone of the midface gradually loses projection, so there is less scaffolding underneath the cheek.
- Deep fat and support tissue. Deep fat pads shrink and the ligaments that hold the cheek in place loosen.
- Subcutaneous fat. With less support, the cheek fat slides down and forward, piling up against the fold.
- Fascia and dermis. The SMAS (fascia) layer and the dermis lose firmness, and collagen declines by roughly 1% a year from around 20.
The result is hollowing above and heaviness alongside the fold. Treating only the line can look unnatural; restoring support higher up often softens it more convincingly.
How Obliv approaches nasolabial folds
- Diagnosis first. A director assesses your face from the front and side, at rest and smiling, to judge how much the fold comes from volume loss, sagging or skin quality.
- Dual-plane volume. We restore structural support just above the bone first, then the fat layer, and address muscle last. Cheek filler placed for support can lift the area above the fold, with nasolabial fold filler used carefully where needed. HA filler typically lasts around 6–18 months; CaHA around 12–18 months and also stimulates collagen.
- Lifting. MINT Lift threads give an immediate lift of descended tissue, and JAMBER adds lift with a scaffold that supports volume and collagen.
- Energy tightening. HIFU such as Ultherapy PRIME reaches the SMAS layer, and RF such as Thermage tightens through the dermis.
- Collagen support. PCL or PLLA collagen stimulators can improve firmness gradually, with results starting around 1–3 months.
What to expect
Fillers and threads give a visible change on the day, with any swelling settling over the following days. Energy lifting gives some immediate firmness, becomes noticeable over 1–3 months and reaches its final result at 3–6 months. On injection or thread days, avoid touching the area for 4–6 hours and skip sauna, alcohol and strenuous exercise. Results vary from person to person, and your doctor will aim for softening that suits your face rather than erasing natural expression lines.
Keeping results
- Protect collagen with daily SPF50+.
- Plan maintenance around how long each treatment lasts.
- Your Skin Library record helps us adjust each visit to what worked last time.
Visiting from abroad
Many visitors combine filler or threads with energy lifting in one trip. Tell us your dates on WhatsApp so we can schedule injections early and allow for any swelling before you fly.
How this concern connects to other layers of the face
Nasolabial folds rarely change on their own. Because they reflect what is happening in the midface, they often appear alongside related concerns:
- Lost cheek contour: when the high point of the cheek flattens, tissue moves towards the fold. Restoring cheek contour is often the first step.
- Drooping midface: loosening ligaments let the whole area descend, which deepens the groove and can make the eyes look tired.
- Marionette lines and jowls: the same process continues lower down, so treating the midface early can help the lower face too.
Thinking about these together lets your doctor build a plan that softens the fold while keeping proportions balanced. If you are aiming for an overall lifted look, our non-surgical face lift page explains how lifting and volume can be combined.
At a glance
- Layers: Bone, deep fat, fascia, dermis
- Main tools: Cheek/nasolabial filler, MINT, JAMBER, HIFU
- HA filler lasts: Around 6–18 months
- Energy lifting: Final result at 3–6 months
- Downtime: Usually short; some swelling possible
- Related goal: Non-surgical face lift
Questions about nasolabial folds
Why not just fill the fold directly?
The fold often deepens because the cheek above has lost support and descended. Filling only the line can look heavy, so we often restore support higher up first and use a small amount in the fold only if needed.
Filler, threads or energy lifting — which is best?
It depends on whether the main cause is volume loss, sagging or skin laxity. Many people benefit from a combination, which your doctor will plan after examining your face.
How long do results last?
HA filler typically lasts around 6–18 months and CaHA around 12–18 months. HIFU lifting lasts around 12–18 months and RF around 6–12 months. Results vary from person to person.
Is there downtime?
Usually short. Mild swelling or bruising can follow filler or threads. On the day, avoid touching the area for 4–6 hours and skip sauna, alcohol and strenuous exercise.
Talk to us about nasolabial folds
Message us on WhatsApp in English. Obliv Clinic Seoul Origin, Pagoda Tower, 93 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu — about 5 minutes on foot from Jonggak and Euljiro 1-ga stations, close to Myeongdong.
This page is general information, not medical advice. Suitability, number of sessions and results vary from person to person and are decided with a doctor at consultation.
