Causes and Treatments for Nasolabial Folds

 What are Nasolabial Folds?

The indentation lines on both sides of the mouth that start from the edge of the nose and extend till the out corners of the mouth are called nasolabial folds. These folds are made of dense bundles of fibrous tissue and muscles and are more visible when people smile. As one ages, these become more prominent and deeper because the skin becomes saggy and thinner.  Some people develop wrinkles around their nasolabial folds which become more prominent when they smile. Some people commonly call them laugh lines or smile lines.

Except for newborns and people whose faces are paralyzed due to a medical condition, almost everyone has nasolabial folds. The best skin care clinic in Chandigarh we tell you what causes them.

What Causes Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are a normal part of human anatomy, not a medical condition or a sign of aging. 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 are sometimes referred to as marionette lines.

Nasolabial folds become more noticeable due to a variety of factors like:

·        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 lead to the aging of skin include:

·        Smoking

·        Exposure to environmental pollutants

·        Rapid weight loss or frequent fluctuations in weight

Treatment

Nasolabial folds do not pose any health risk nor are they a sign of a any underlying health condition so they don’t require any treatment as such.

However, some people may consider them a cosmetic issue as they become more prominent. For them, dermatologists may refer some cosmetic procedure or treatment, either to completely eliminate them or to reduce their visibility.

Treatment options include:

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are implants that are placed just under the skin to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

A doctor can apply dermal fillers just under the skin in the nasolabial fold area or the upper cheek area to give the cheeks a lift, making the nasolabial folds less noticeable. The procedure can take place in a doctor’s office.

Fillers cannot make nasolabial folds disappear, but they can make them less pronounced. They can also be used to help nearby skin look fuller and more youthful.

Doctors can also inject fat into the nasolabial fold area to decrease their appearance. The fat is taken from another area of the body and injected to fill the area, similarly to the dermal filler.

For more information, contact Dr. Jagatjit Kohli, the top dermatologist in Chandigarh.