Understanding the Cost of Nasolabial Fold Treatment
A Lower Initial Price Does Not Always Mean a Lower Long-Term Cost
Even if the first treatment appears affordable, the total cost and time spent attending appointments can increase when more syringes or threads are needed, or when regular maintenance continues over the years.
Conversely, a treatment with a higher initial price may involve less expense over time if the results last longer. Consider the amount needed, the expected improvement, and how long that improvement may last.
Prices checked: September 3, 2026. All prices listed for our clinic include tax.
“The advertised price looked affordable. Why is the estimate so much higher?”
This is a concern we often hear from people considering nasolabial fold treatment. An advertisement may show a price per syringe, thread, or session, but the estimate after consultation may be higher once the quantity needed for both sides, anesthesia, needles, and additional treatment are included. It is important to check the total cost of working toward your desired result, rather than focusing only on the lowest advertised price.
Nasolabial fold treatment for cosmetic purposes is a self-pay service. It is generally not covered by Japanese health insurance, and prices vary between clinics.
There is no official nationwide standard price. In addition to our clinic’s prices, this article presents examples of published fees from other clinics’ official websites. We explain how each treatment is priced and provide illustrative 10-year calculations based on stated assumptions.
When reviewing a price list, look beyond the advertised price per session. Check the treatment area, quantity included, potential additional treatment, and ongoing maintenance costs.
Our Clinic’s Prices and How Each Treatment Is Charged
Growth factor treatment is priced according to whether one or both sides are treated. Filler and thread lift costs depend on the quantity needed, while HIFU prices vary by treatment area.
We Explain the Final Cost Before Treatment
We prioritize transparent pricing. Our price list shows total fees including tax, consultation, needles, anesthesia, and associated treatment charges. After examining you, we explain the recommended treatment, quantities, treatment area, and estimate. You do not need to decide immediately and are welcome to take the proposal home to consider it. We do not currently offer fat grafting, so no price for that procedure is listed for our clinic.
| Treatment | Listed Price | Pricing Unit | Main Factors Affecting the Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Factor Treatment | Listed PriceBoth sides: ¥180,000 One side: ¥110,000 Additional injections: ¥90,000 |
Pricing UnitBoth nasolabial folds or one side. Anesthesia is included. | Main Factors Affecting the TotalFold depth, asymmetry, and whether additional injections are needed. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Fillers | Listed PriceFirst syringe: ¥77,000 Each additional syringe: ¥69,800 |
Pricing UnitOne syringe from the Juvéderm Vycross range. The cannula fee is included. | Main Factors Affecting the TotalNumber of syringes, injection sites, and the desired result. |
| Medical HIFU | Listed PriceCheeks: ¥54,800 Cheeks and under the chin: ¥69,800 Full face and under the chin, increased treatment coverage: ¥98,000 |
Pricing UnitUltracel Zi treatment area. We do not commonly use HIFU specifically to treat the nasolabial folds themselves. | Main Factors Affecting the TotalTreatment area, number of shots, and treatment frequency. |
| Thread Lift | Listed PricePCL: ¥22,000 per thread PLCL: ¥27,000 per thread 10 threads across both sides: ¥220,000 / ¥270,000 |
Pricing UnitOne thread. The examples in this article use a total of 10 threads across both sides. | Main Factors Affecting the TotalThread material, number of threads, and degree of sagging. |
| Fat Grafting | Listed PriceNot offered at our clinic | Pricing UnitClinics differ in how they list fat harvesting, processing, injection, and anesthesia fees. | Main Factors Affecting the TotalHarvesting and processing methods, injection sites, anesthesia, and number of procedures. |
Our clinic’s prices include tax and were checked on September 3, 2026. No price is listed for fat grafting because we do not offer it. Prices may change, so please confirm the latest price list and your estimate before treatment.
Reference Price Ranges from Clinics’ Official Websites
We reviewed standard fees published on the official websites of several medical institutions in Japan, including major chains and specialist clinics. The reference ranges below were compiled as of September 3, 2026, with pricing units aligned as closely as possible. First-visit offers, patient-model discounts, limited-time promotions, member prices, and coupons were excluded.
This table is not intended to rank individual clinics. These are published examples found in the clinics reviewed, rather than national averages or nationwide minimum and maximum prices. Even when treatments share the same name, the total can differ according to the product, device, treatment area, quantity, anesthesia, and practitioner.
| Treatment | Comparison Basis and Published Standard Fees | Main Factors Affecting the Total |
|---|---|---|
| Medical HIFU | Comparison Basis and Published Standard FeesFull face: approximately ¥30,000–¥165,000 per session A published Ultherapy price of ¥440,000 was also identified. |
Main Factors Affecting the TotalDevice, treatment area, treatment depth, number of shots, and whether a doctor or nurse performs the procedure. Partial treatments, such as cheeks only, are excluded. |
| Hyaluronic Acid Fillers | Comparison Basis and Published Standard FeesJuvéderm Vista® Volift XC: ¥69,800–¥132,000 per 1 mL syringe | Main Factors Affecting the TotalNumber of syringes, injection fees, needle or cannula fees, and practitioner. Included fees vary even for the same product, and treating both sides may require more than one syringe. |
| Thread Lift | Comparison Basis and Published Standard Fees10 threads in total across both sides: approximately ¥125,000–¥550,000 A published price of ¥1,141,000 was also identified for a higher-priced thread option. |
Main Factors Affecting the TotalThread material, design, brand, quantity, anesthesia, and practitioner. The comparison uses published totals for 10 threads across both sides, rather than the price per thread. |
| Facial Fat Grafting | Comparison Basis and Published Standard FeesHarvesting and processing plus treatment of the nasolabial folds: approximately ¥150,000–¥495,000 | Main Factors Affecting the TotalHarvesting and processing methods, number of injection sites, anesthesia, and number of procedures. The comparison includes harvesting and processing, rather than the injection-site fee alone. |
All figures are standard prices including tax. First-visit offers, patient-model discounts, limited-time promotions, member prices, and coupons are excluded. Even when comparing a full-face treatment, 1 mL syringe, or 10 threads, the device, coverage, product, thread type, anesthesia, and needle fees may differ. The advertised unit may not match the amount you need, so request a total estimate including additional charges. A lower price does not necessarily mean lower quality, and a higher price does not necessarily mean better results. Growth factor treatment is excluded because formulations, treatment areas, and injection methods vary between clinics and could not be compared on an equivalent basis.
Illustrative 10-Year Costs Under Stated Assumptions
The number of treatments a person receives over 10 years varies. The following examples use hypothetical intervals to help explain how costs can accumulate.
Growth Factor Treatment
Initial Cost ShownInitial treatment, both sides=¥180,000
One additional injection session would bring the total to ¥270,000. Our clinic has observed many cases in which improvement has remained visible for years, and treatment is not planned around routine repeat sessions. However, results and duration vary between individuals.
Medical HIFU
Every 6 Months¥69,800×20 sessions=¥1,396,000
The same number of cheeks-only sessions at ¥54,800 would total ¥1,096,000. Duration varies, but our clinic generally uses approximately six months as a guide.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
1 Syringe per Session¥77,000×10 sessions=¥770,000
One syringe every two years would total ¥385,000. Using two syringes per session would cost ¥146,800 per session at the listed prices. The products used at our clinic generally have an estimated duration of one to two years, with variation according to the injection site, amount, and individual response.
Thread Lift
10 Threads Every 2 Years¥220,000×5 sessions=¥1,100,000
Using 10 PLCL threads at the same frequency would total ¥1,350,000. The estimated duration is approximately one to two years, and this example uses a two-year interval. The actual number of threads and treatment interval vary.
Fat Grafting
Individual EstimateHarvesting, processing, anesthesia, injection, and repeat procedures—Confirm the Full Cost
Harvesting and processing methods, injection sites, anesthesia, and the need for repeat procedures vary between clinics and patients, so a uniform 10-year total cannot be calculated.
First Check Whether the Treatment Suits Your Nasolabial Folds
HIFU, fillers, thread lifts, and growth factor treatment serve different purposes. A low price does not make a treatment effective for a concern it is not suited to address. First establish suitability and the improvement you can reasonably expect, then compare costs based on the quantity needed and likely duration.
Treatment Costs and What Can Increase the Total
Below, we explain the factors that affect each treatment’s cost, how duration and repeat treatment are considered, and the main risks.
Medical HIFU: Primarily for Sagging Rather Than the Nasolabial Folds Themselves
HIFU is used to tighten mild skin laxity and heaviness along the jawline. At our clinic, we do not commonly recommend it solely to improve nasolabial folds. If the main concern is an etched crease or a hollow beside the nose, we consider other treatments.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers: The Number of Syringes Affects the Estimate
Fillers restore volume and directly support hollows, such as those beside the nose. Improvement is usually visible immediately, but two or more syringes may be needed depending on fold depth and treatment area.
Fillers are an option for patients seeking quick correction of hollows, but too much can create unnatural fullness around the mouth. The result depends on the injection site, depth, and amount, as well as the cost.
Growth Factor Treatment: Assess the First Session Before Considering More
Our growth factor treatment aims to increase collagen and elastin in the skin, improving firmness and thickness while gradually softening nasolabial creases. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it does not immediately fill a hollow.
For patients seeking improvement in reduced skin firmness or wrinkles visible at rest, this may be an option to consider alongside long-term costs. If the priority is to immediately raise a hollow beside the nose, fillers may be considered first.
Growth Factor Cases: Changes and Follow-Up
The following cases show outcomes at one month and two years after treatment at our clinic. They do not demonstrate 10-year durability. Results and duration vary between individuals.
Thread Lifts: Cost Depends on Material and Quantity
A thread lift physically elevates cheek tissue that hangs over the nasolabial folds, helping reduce shadows caused by sagging. Results can be seen immediately, but it does not directly fill hollows beside the nose or etched skin creases.
Advertisements may prominently display the price per thread, but your estimate should reflect the total number needed for both sides. At our clinic, 10 threads cost ¥220,000 for PCL or ¥270,000 for PLCL.
Fat Grafting: Check the Full Cost from Harvesting to Injection
Fat grafting uses your own fat, harvested from an area such as the thighs, to restore volume in the nasolabial folds or surrounding areas. Fat that survives may remain long term, but the procedure involves harvesting, processing, anesthesia, and injection, so its cost structure differs from a simple injectable treatment.
Suitability depends in part on whether you want localized correction of the nasolabial folds or restoration of volume across the face. Compare the treatment area needed and the possibility of repeat grafting, rather than the advertised price of a single procedure alone.
Five Things to Check When You Receive an Estimate
Understanding what the quoted amount covers and whether additional treatment may be needed can help prevent misunderstandings after treatment.
Does the price include tax, consultation, anesthesia, needles, and medication?
Does it cover one side or both sides? How many syringes or threads are included, and what area will be treated?
How much improvement is expected from one session, and how long might it last?
What would additional injections, device treatment, or repeat procedures cost?
Does the plan fit your desired improvement, timeline, available recovery time, and tolerance for risk?
For further comparisons, see Growth Factor Treatment, Hyaluronic Acid Fillers, and Botox Compared, The Differences Between Hyaluronic Acid Fillers and Growth Factor Treatment, and Comparing Downtime by Treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nasolabial Fold Treatment Costs
QIs nasolabial fold treatment covered by health insurance?
Cosmetic treatment to improve the appearance of nasolabial folds is generally not covered by Japanese health insurance and is paid for privately. Before treatment, confirm the total cost, including consultation, anesthesia, and medication.
QWhich nasolabial fold treatment has the lowest price per session?
There is no single answer because the suitable procedure and amount needed depend on your nasolabial folds. A low advertised price per syringe or session may still lead to a higher total if several syringes or repeated treatments are needed. Have the cause and appropriate treatment assessed, then compare the cost of working toward your desired result.
QWhich treatment offers the best value?
It depends on why your nasolabial folds are noticeable. Growth factor treatment may be considered for wrinkles that remain at rest, fillers for immediate correction of hollows beside the nose, and a thread lift for pronounced cheek sagging. The assessment should include the quantity needed, expected improvement, and duration.
QWhich costs less: hyaluronic acid fillers or growth factor treatment?
At our clinic, one syringe of filler costs ¥77,000, while growth factor treatment for both sides costs ¥180,000. The initial filler payment may be lower, but the total depends on how many syringes and repeat sessions are needed. The purposes also differ: immediate correction of a hollow versus gradual wrinkle improvement through increased collagen production.
QCan I book a consultation without having treatment?
Yes. You do not need to choose a treatment before booking. A doctor and nurse will discuss your concerns and explain suitable options, benefits and drawbacks, quantities or sessions needed, and costs. You are welcome to take the proposal home before deciding.
Compare Results and Duration Alongside the Initial Price
First determine which treatment suits your nasolabial folds. Then confirm the amount needed, expected benefits, likely duration, and possibility of additional treatment.
Rather than choosing on price alone, look for a clinic that clearly explains suitability, limitations, and the final cost.
Find Out What Treatment May Cost for Your Nasolabial Folds
The suitable treatment, amount or quantity needed, and cost depend on the depth and causes of your folds. You are welcome to contact us even if you are simply wondering what treatment might cost in your case. After examining you, we explain the plan, expected benefits and limitations, estimated duration, precautions, and final estimate.
You can decide whether to proceed at your own pace after reviewing the estimate. There is no need to make an immediate decision, and you may consider the proposal at home. We do not pressure patients into treatment or add unnecessary procedures. Please proceed only when you are comfortable with both the plan and the cost.
Consultations are generally free. However, a fee of ¥5,500 including tax may apply in circumstances such as repeated consultation-only visits on consecutive days without proceeding to treatment, or repeated lengthy consultations lasting approximately one to two hours.















