When we talk about getting rid of nasolabial folds we are talking about the line from the cheek to the mouth. Some people want this fold filled, but I find that’s like a dog chasing their tail, because it will never get filled. However, if we fill all the areas around it, the fold looks much better.
We should talk about what we call the nasolabial fold. This is actually wrong terminology. Most people refer to it as the nose-lip fold, but it’s the cheek-lip fold. It’s in between the cheek and lip and the correct terminology is the melolabial fold: melo (cheek) labial (lip). The incorrect terminology occurred years ago when someone wrongly referred to the line as the nasolabial fold and it stuck.
So what is that fold? It’s an indentation, an invagination, in the area between the cheek mound and the lateral upper lip. That fold is made worse, when we smile. Some people have big smiles and some of these big smilers are smiling a little bit all the time. In those people, it’s almost impossible to get rid of this fold or groove.
What is the best treatment for nasolabial folds?
The best treatment for nasolabial folds is typically filler but sometimes a facelift. What I typically tell my patients is that young people, even supermodels, have melolabial folds. The reason why people want to get rid of them is that they feel it makes them look older or that their face has fallen or deflated.
When a patient says they don’t like their folds, the fact is that the fold itself isn’t any deeper than when they were 20 years old. That being said, I don’t typically try to get rid of the fold when I treat it. Instead, I lift the tissue around it which makes it look better. I can do this with a facelift or filler.
When I get an individual that has these folds and then the lower extension of it that we which qw call that the marionette line, I fill the area in next to the nostril in the cheek area and in the chin area adjacent to the line, but not the fold itself because this adds more volume and lift to the face.
What really makes someone look younger or prettier is their bone structure and quantity of fat. That’s why people with great bone structure look good many years into their life.
If you have questions about this, I’m glad to answer them for you. Come in to see me. Call me. Email me. I’m an available guy. I love doing what I do, so call me any time. I’d love to see you in my office.
Have questions about facelifts?
Email Dr. Sykes at [email protected]
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Facelift Before & After Photos
About Dr. Jonathan Sykes
Dr. Jonathan Sykes is a world-famous expert plastic surgeon who performs all cosmetic and functional plastic surgery procedures on the face and neck. He is a past president of The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and served on their Board of Directors for over 10 years. He is also a Professor Emeritus in Facial Plastic Surgery from UC Davis Medical Center, and the former Director of Facial Plastic Surgery at that institution.
He is known as the expert’s expert, and is often called to consult and advise other plastic surgeons in both Northern California and Beverly Hills. He has a special interest in eyelid and browlift surgery, facial rejuvenation surgery including facelifts, and rhinoplasty. He also has a particular interest in facial feminization surgery. Have questions? Email Dr.Sykes at: [email protected]
