The nasolabial folds (or smile lines) are lines located on either side of the mouth. They are more noticeable when a person smiles. Except for newborns and people whose faces are paralyzed due to a medical condition, almost everyone has nasolabial folds.

The folds, which are made of dense bundles of fibrous tissue and muscles, tend to become more prominent with age. As the skin becomes saggy and thinner, many people find that their nasolabial folds become more noticeable. Nasolabial folds are a normal part of human anatomy, not a medical condition or a sign of ageing. As people age, however, these folds can become deeper and may also sag. With age, some people also develop lines next to the nasolabial folds. Others develop lines that extend down to the chin, which is sometimes referred to as marionette lines.

Smile lines become more noticeable due to a variety of factors, including:

• sun exposure, which damages the skin, causing wrinkles and changes in texture
• loss of collagen with age, making the skin look weak and thin
• loss of fat, which can make the cheeks and nearby regions appear saggy
• As the skin ages, facial expressions can cause deeper wrinkles. Just as frequent scowling can cause lines near the eyebrows, smiling can make nasolabial folds deeper.

Other factors that play a role in skin ageing include:

• smoking
• exposure to environmental pollutants
• rapid weight loss or frequent fluctuations in weight

Nasolabial folds are a cosmetic issue but are not a risk factor for any health condition and do not necessarily require treatment.

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Some people who find that their nasolabial folds are especially pronounced may prefer to eliminate them. Some cosmetic procedures can reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds or eliminate them.

The folds which extend from the nose downwards around the mouth are called the nasolabial or nasolabial folds. The creases around the edge of the lips and mouth are often referred to as marionette lines. The nasolabial folds are most often best treated last when treating the cheek complex. Overfilling of this area may produce a simian or monkey-like appearance. This may be a result of effacing the natural fold, which exists between the cheek and the lip. It may also be a result of having a prominent mouth and lower face with a flattened midface and cheek. This causes the face to have a heavy and drawn appearance.

The nasolabial folds should always be filled judiciously. One must also be careful not to inject the wrong material in this area or try to eradicate the natural fold with a procedure. When things go wrong in the nasolabial fold, they are extremely difficult to fix. Although opinions vary, Lumina’s doctor believes that permanent fillers such as silicone and silicone polymers should always be avoided. Injections of Hyaluronic acid filler should only be performed in specific instances. It is always safest to treat this area conservatively with hyaluronic acid fillers.

The nasolabial folds are deeper in the skin and tissue than other lines or wrinkles. There are mild, moderate and severe smile lines, and each requires a different type of dermal filler. Mild to moderate nasolabial folds need more flexibility to allow natural movement around the mouth but enough volume to reduce the lines. Severe smile lines need a denser filler to add volume deeper in the tissue. Our doctors at Lumina Aesthetics can determine the best dermal filler for your nasolabial folds to soften the face for a more youthful appearance.

Smile line filler injections can improve the appearance of the nasolabial folds in a quick treatment at Lumina Aesthetics. Most filler injections can last several months to over a year, depending on the type used. There is no need for downtime after your procedure. The most common effects of nasolabial folds treatment are some swelling or redness at the injection area.

If the parenthesis lines around your mouth are ageing your face, come see us at Lumina Aesthetics. We offer nasolabial folds treatment to smooth away your smile lines.

CANDIDATES NOT SUITABLE FOR DERMAL FILLERS

It is recommended that dermal fillers are not administered to patients under 18 years. Patients that are not suitable candidates for injectable dermal fillers include those that have bleeding disorders, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking blood-thinning medications, or are allergic to Lidocaine, the numbing agent used during the injections.

THE PROCEDURE

Many women and men are choosing injectable fillers because they are quick and effective, and recovery time is very short.

At Lumina Aesthetics, We perform the injections using a very fine needle, numbing cream, ice packs, and sometimes nerve blocks to minimize any discomfort and assure the comfort of our patients. The entire treatment is usually complete in less than 30 – 40 minutes.

You may experience some minor bruising and swelling immediately after your treatment. These will usually disappear within a few days but sometimes may last up to a week. You can immediately resume your normal daily activities, except that you should avoid exposure to heat and sun for a day or two. Swelling may be more likely in young patients, and bruising may be more likely in patients over 35 years.

PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE

You should preferably wear sunscreen in the weeks leading up to your procedure to prevent skin damage and should stop using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and high doses of vitamin E supplements as they may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site.

DESCRIPTION OF ADVANCED INJECTABLE DERMAL FILLERS

Although each dermal filler has its unique attributes, in general, most dermal fillers plump and lift the skin gently either by replacing the lost collagen or stimulating the body to produce its own natural collagen; some help more than others. With the exception of a few, the plumping effect of most dermal fillers is almost instantaneous and last from several months to a year or two before touch-up treatments are necessary to extend results.

Lumina Aesthetics offers a variety of injectable dermal fillers that can improve your facial appearance and enhance your self-image. At Lumina Aesthetics, these treatments are administered by our certified professional doctors. During a consultation, Lumina’s doctor will discuss what you would like to change and help you choose the filler that is best suited to help you achieve your goals.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COST OR A TREATMENT?

You may reach Lumina Aesthetics Clinic by clicking the “Contact” button, or by calling +6281228888837 or +6281210688884 Our patient care coordinator will be delighted to assist you with any enquiries regarding cost, additional information, or scheduling a consultation session with our doctor. Consultations with the doctor are complimentary aka FREE with the purchase of any service.

See you soon at Lumina.