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How Can You Reduce Nasolabial Folds? Home Care vs. In-Clinic Treatments
When nasolabial folds (smile lines) become a concern, it is important to understand what home care can achieve and how it differs from treatment at a medical clinic.
Fine lines caused by dryness require a different approach from deeper nasolabial folds caused by sagging cheeks or hollows beside the nose. Moisturizing and sun protection are essential for healthy skin, but some folds cannot be substantially improved with skin care alone.
At-Home Care for Nasolabial Folds: What It Can and Cannot Do
Moisturizing may make fine lines caused by dry skin less noticeable. However, home care alone is unlikely to eliminate nasolabial folds caused by sagging cheeks, hollows beside the nose, or underlying facial anatomy.
Moisturizing and UV Protection: Protect Your Skin From Dryness and Sun Damage
Sun exposure and dry skin can make fine wrinkles along the nasolabial folds more noticeable. Use a moisturizer to support the skin barrier and apply sunscreen when going outdoors.
Diet, sleep, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress can also affect the condition of your skin.
What is good for your overall health is good for your skin, too.
Understanding UV-Related Photoaging and Sunscreen Basics Oral Sunscreen Supplements vs. Topical Sunscreen Lifestyle Habits That Support Healthy SkinCan Facial Exercises or Massage Improve Nasolabial Folds?
There is insufficient evidence that facial exercises can improve existing, established nasolabial folds.
Vigorous rubbing or repeatedly creasing the same area may also irritate the skin.
For these reasons, we do not actively recommend facial muscle exercises or massage as treatments for already prominent nasolabial folds. For at-home care, we suggest prioritizing moisturizing and UV protection.
Learn More About Facial Exercises and WrinklesWhy Nasolabial Folds Become More Noticeable: Skin, Fat, Bone, and Muscles
Nasolabial folds can involve both wrinkles and shadows.
Treatment selection depends on whether the fold is a wrinkle etched into the skin even at rest, or a shadow created by a hollow beside the nose or the volume of the cheek.
Explore the Four Types: Bone, Fat, Muscle, and SkinLoss of Skin Firmness Makes Wrinkles More Persistent
The dermis, a layer within the skin, contains collagen and elastin that help maintain firmness and elasticity.
As the skin loses firmness with age and sun exposure, creases formed during smiling may become visible even when the face is at rest.
It is similar to a sheet of paper that develops a permanent crease after being folded repeatedly in the same place.
Some patients tell us that foundation settles into their smile lines by the evening. When a crease remains in the skin, makeup can collect more easily in that groove.
Why Foundation Settles Into Smile Lines Later in the Day Understanding Nasolabial Folds When SmilingChanges in the Volume and Position of Cheek Fat
Cheek fat is divided into several distinct compartments.
As fat volume and position change with age, the step-off between the cheek and the area along the nasolabial fold can become more pronounced.
These compartments include malar fat over the cheekbone and nasolabial fat along the outer side of the fold. Their position and thickness affect how prominent the fold appears.
In people with fuller cheeks, tissue can overhang the outer edge of the fold and create a deeper-looking shadow.
Nasolabial folds can also become more prominent in slimmer people when cheek volume and skin firmness decrease.
This is why reducing cheek fat is not the answer for everyone, and why facial fat can still play a role in someone with a slim face.
An assessment should consider not only the amount of fat but also its distribution, underlying bone structure, and skin firmness.
Facial Bone Structure and Age-Related Bone Loss
People whose alar base (the base of the nose) or upper jaw is naturally set farther back may have a noticeable hollow at the upper nasolabial fold even when they are young.
With age-related resorption of facial bone, the skin, fat, and retaining ligaments above it may no longer be supported in the same way. This can accentuate hollows beside the nose and the contours of nasolabial folds.
In other words, deeper nasolabial folds are not necessarily caused by loose skin alone.
The Role of Facial Retaining Ligaments
Facial retaining ligaments anchor the skin and fat to bone or deeper tissues.
As these ligaments and surrounding tissues lose elasticity and support with age, cheek tissue may descend and appear to overlap the outer side of the nasolabial fold.
Dryness and UV Exposure Make Skin Creases More Visible
When skin is dry, fine wrinkles become more apparent and foundation can settle more easily into nasolabial folds.
Ultraviolet radiation also contributes to photoaging and affects collagen and other structures within the dermis.
How Facial Expression Muscles Affect Smile Lines
During smiling and conversation, several muscles work together, including the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, levator labii superioris, and zygomatic muscles.
The way these muscles move influences how folds form during smiling and can contribute to differences between the two sides of the face.
In clinical practice, we sometimes see more pronounced dynamic creases in people who smile and talk frequently at work, perform intensive strength training, or unconsciously tense their mouth area.
However, folds that remain visible at rest are also affected by the skin, fat, and underlying facial anatomy, not just muscle movement.
Learn More About the Causes of Nasolabial Folds 20 Characteristics of People Prone to Nasolabial FoldsWhich Treatment Suits Your Nasolabial Folds? Comparing Five Options
When choosing a treatment, we consider the areas that concern you, recovery time, cost, and how quickly you want to see results.
The following table compares five options, focusing on treatments available at our clinics.
| Treatment | How It Works | Best Suited For | When Results Appear | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TreatmentGrowth Factor Injections | How It WorksStimulate collagen and elastin production to improve skin firmness and thickness | Best Suited ForWrinkles visible at rest, reduced skin firmness, and depressions along the fold | When Results AppearGradual improvement; at our clinic, we typically assess progress over about six months | ConsiderationsResults are not immediate, and there is no dedicated dissolving agent; precise injection planning is essential |
| TreatmentHyaluronic Acid Fillers | How It WorksRestore lost volume and lift hollows, especially beside the nose | Best Suited ForHollows beside the nose, contour steps associated with facial structure or cheek volume, and patients seeking quicker results | When Results AppearResults are often noticeable immediately after injection | ConsiderationsPoor placement or excessive volume can create an unnatural appearance. Rarely, vascular complications may occur |
| TreatmentThread Lift | How It WorksLift descended cheek tissue with medical threads to improve sagging | Best Suited ForFolds made more noticeable by overhanging cheek tissue and shadows caused by sagging | When Results AppearA lifting effect may be noticeable immediately after treatment | ConsiderationsThe effect may feel short-lived when used alone, and this treatment is not ideal for hollows beside the nose |
| TreatmentBotulinum Toxin (Botox) | How It WorksPartially relax selected facial expression muscles | Best Suited ForFolds that become pronounced during smiling or speaking, including some cases with a gummy smile | When Results AppearEffects typically begin in 2–3 days and stabilize within about 1–2 weeks | ConsiderationsMay alter the smile or movement around the mouth, so indications are limited; effects usually last around 3–6 months |
| TreatmentEnergy-Based Treatments: HIFU, DENSITY, POTENZA, and Others | How It WorksAim to tighten mildly sagging tissue or improve skin quality | Best Suited ForMild cheek laxity, reduced facial contour definition, and diminished skin firmness | When Results AppearTiming varies by device; some results develop over about 2–3 months | ConsiderationsAlone, these treatments have limited effects on prominent folds visible at rest; other therapies may be combined as needed |
A Closer Look at Each Treatment for Nasolabial Folds
Treatment 1: Growth Factor Injections for Persistent Wrinkles and Loss of Skin Firmness
Our growth factor treatment involves injecting a formulated solution into the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin production, aiming to improve skin thickness and firmness and gradually soften the appearance of nasolabial folds.
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it does not primarily work by using the physical volume of the injected material to lift a depression.
Results develop gradually. At our clinic, we have documented individual cases in which improvement has remained visible for several years after treatment.
Our Experience With Growth Factor Treatment
Across all our clinics, we have performed more than 3,000 growth factor treatments for nasolabial folds.
How We Determine Injection Volume and Depth
We assess the depth of the folds, differences between sides, and condition of the skin to decide on the formulation, concentration, volume, and depth of injection. We also review the outcome over time before considering whether additional treatment is needed.
The area may appear fuller immediately after the injection, but this is usually a temporary effect of the injected fluid or swelling, rather than the growth factors themselves.
Some patients begin to notice improvement after about one month.
Growth Factor Treatment Cases
We have cases assessed within the first six months and other cases followed for several years after treatment.
Each case shows one patient’s individual course. Results and their duration vary from person to person.
Six Months After Treatment
This patient had fuller cheeks, with shadows making the nasolabial folds more noticeable.
Three Months After Treatment
This patient had deep nasolabial folds that were clearly visible even at rest.
Long-Term Follow-Up Cases
You may be wondering how long the results can last.
We have followed a number of patients for several years. Some patients treated soon after our clinic first opened still report that they appreciate the results.
However, natural aging continues after treatment. The duration of improvement and number of sessions needed vary by patient; the cases below do not guarantee the same results for others.
Photograph Taken 3 Years and 4 Months After Treatment
This patient received one growth factor injection session.
The photograph shown was taken three years and four months after treatment. We subsequently confirmed that the improved appearance was still maintained at four years and four months.
One Year and Six Months After Treatment
This man underwent one growth factor injection session, and follow-up was available through one year and six months afterward.
Additional Long-Term Follow-Up Cases
You can find more detailed follow-up information on each case page.
One Year and Ten Months After Treatment
One growth factor injection session for the nasolabial folds / One year and ten months after treatment
Price: ¥180,000 for both sides (tax included)
Main risks: swelling, bruising, pain or discomfort, asymmetry, uneven texture, lumps, excessive tissue growth, and other possible complications
Two Years After Treatment
One growth factor injection session for the nasolabial folds / Two years after treatment
Price: ¥180,000 for both sides (tax included; current standard price)
Main risks: swelling, bruising, pain or discomfort, asymmetry, uneven texture, lumps, excessive tissue growth, and other possible complications
Side Effects, Risks, and Safety
Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, growth factor treatment cannot be adjusted using a dedicated dissolving enzyme. We therefore carefully select the injection volume and depth according to each patient’s nasolabial folds, aiming to achieve the desired improvement with the first treatment whenever possible. We consider additional injections only after reviewing the patient’s progress.
Possible side effects include swelling, bruising, pain, and discomfort. Asymmetry, irregularities, lumps, excessive tissue growth, or excessive fullness may also occur.
In the clinical records reviewed by our clinic, we have documented zero cases of infection, allergy, hematoma, contour irregularities (including asymmetry), excessive tissue growth, excessive fullness, or lumps.
These figures reflect the clinical records reviewed by our clinic. They do not mean that these side effects can never occur in the future.
See More Long-Term Follow-Up Cases Learn More About Growth Factor Treatment for Nasolabial FoldsTreatment 2: Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Hollows and Contour Steps Beside the Nose
Hyaluronic acid fillers restore missing volume and directly lift hollows or uneven contours.
They may be suitable for people with pronounced hollows at the alar base (beside the nose), shadows caused by facial bone structure or cheek fullness, or those who want to see a change shortly after treatment.
Although it is a relatively accessible treatment, the injection site, depth, and volume are critically important.
For example, repeatedly adding filler until the fold disappears in someone with significant cheek sagging can make the mouth area look heavy or cause unnatural facial fullness.
If filler is placed outside the actual hollow instead of within it, the treatment may have little effect and can even make the nasolabial fold appear more pronounced.
At our clinic, we regularly see patients who are unhappy with the outcome of hyaluronic acid injections performed elsewhere.
Immediately After Treatment
This patient was concerned mainly about shadows beside the nose caused by facial bone structure and cheek thickness, rather than deep wrinkles etched into the skin.
Treatment 3: Thread Lift for Pronounced Cheek Sagging
A thread lift involves placing threads with small barbs (cogs) beneath the skin to lift descended cheek tissue.
For patients whose cheek tissue overhangs the outer side of the nasolabial fold, lifting the cheeks may reduce the shadow caused by sagging.
While thread lifts can produce a noticeable improvement in jawline sagging, nasolabial folds are also affected by bone structure and wrinkles etched into the skin. The folds therefore may not improve sufficiently with a thread lift alone.
At our clinic, we rarely use a thread lift as the sole treatment for nasolabial folds. We sometimes combine it with fillers or growth factor injections when there are hollows beside the nose or persistent skin creases.
Why I Place Particular Emphasis on Thread Lift Safety
I have personally seen someone who experienced persistent facial nerve weakness and numbness after undergoing a thread lift at a cosmetic surgery clinic.
I have not encountered the same course among my own patients. Nevertheless, I carefully check the insertion depth, direction, and number of threads to reduce the risk of complications.
Immediately After Treatment
This patient had noticeable nasolabial folds as well as sagging around the cheeks and jawline.
This is an immediate post-procedure comparison, with little visible swelling or bruising.
The total cost depends on the thread material and number used.
Treatment 4: Botulinum Toxin (Botox) for Folds That Deepen When Smiling
Although nasolabial folds are grooves in the face, botulinum toxin may be considered for selected patients whose folds become pronounced due to strong movement of specific muscles when smiling.
Botulinum toxin partially reduces the activity of muscles involved in smile lines, such as the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi and levator labii superioris.
It does not fill a hollow that remains visible when the face is at rest.
Although it may help selected patients with pronounced folds when smiling, it can make smiling more difficult or create an unnatural expression. Because it has limited benefits for folds visible at rest, we often combine it with growth factor treatment or hyaluronic acid fillers when appropriate.
Treatment 5: Energy-Based Devices for Mild Sagging and Skin Tightening
HIFU uses focused ultrasound, whereas RF treatments use radiofrequency energy to generate heat. RF devices include noninvasive treatments applied at the skin surface, such as DENSITY, and microneedling RF, such as POTENZA, which delivers energy through fine needles.
HIFU and DENSITY are used mainly for mild sagging or tightening of the cheeks and jawline. POTENZA is more commonly used to improve skin quality. None of these devices is intended to substantially eliminate prominent nasolabial folds that remain visible at rest, so they may be combined with growth factor or filler treatment as needed.
RF (such as DENSITY)
A form of RF: microneedling RF (such as POTENZA)
DENSITY: The standard treatment for the face or neck is 300 shots; treatment is available from 100 shots. 100 shots: ¥38,000 / 300 shots: ¥78,000 (tax included; Osaka clinic only)
Main Risks
HIFU:Redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, burns, changes in sensation, nerve injury, unintended fat loss, and other possible complications
RF (including microneedling RF):Redness, swelling, needle marks, bleeding, scabbing, burns, infection, hyperpigmentation, scarring, and other possible complications
Needle marks and needle-related bleeding are risks specific to microneedling RF.
In the medical records reviewed by our clinic, we have documented zero cases of serious adverse events such as burns, altered sensation, or nerve injury associated with HIFU or RF treatments.
However, having recorded no such events to date does not guarantee they cannot occur in the future.
We present HIFU treatment cases in a separate article.
HIFU: Case Examples, Benefits, and Limitations How POTENZA Works and Who It May HelpHome Skin Care Alongside Treatment
We recommend continuing everyday skin care, including moisturizing, before and after injectable treatments. We also offer Nasora skin care products at our clinic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can nasolabial folds be completely removed?
Nasolabial folds cannot simply be erased as if using an eraser.
Our approach is to make the folds less noticeable while respecting the overall balance of the face.
We examine whether the main issue is a crease etched into the skin, a shadow caused by a hollow beside the nose or cheek volume, or a fold that becomes more pronounced only during facial movement. We then select treatment accordingly.
Watch Our Video About Softening Nasolabial Folds NaturallyQ. Which treatment works best for nasolabial folds?
There is no single best option for everyone. We may consider growth factor injections for wrinkles visible at rest or reduced skin firmness, hyaluronic acid fillers for hollows or contour steps beside the nose, thread lifts for sagging cheeks, or botulinum toxin for selected patients whose folds are pronounced when smiling. The choice depends on the cause and pattern of the folds.
Q. Can home care alone treat nasolabial folds?
Deep, established creases or folds largely caused by hollows, sagging, or bone structure are difficult to correct through home care alone. However, moisturizing and UV protection remain important for protecting the skin from dryness and sun damage.
Q. Should I choose growth factor injections or hyaluronic acid fillers?
Growth factor treatment may be considered when long-term improvement is the priority; fillers are an option when you want to see a change immediately. If both etched-in wrinkles and hollows beside the nose are present, we may combine the two treatments.
Q. Can a thread lift or HIFU alone eliminate nasolabial folds?
If sagging cheeks are the main cause, a thread lift may improve the appearance of the folds. However, the effect of a thread lift alone may be relatively short-lived.
HIFU may be used for mild cheek or jawline sagging, but it is not designed to substantially improve pronounced nasolabial folds that remain visible at rest.
Q. Who is a suitable candidate for botulinum toxin treatment of nasolabial folds?
It may be suitable for selected patients whose folds are not prominent at rest but become more noticeable during smiling or speaking because of particular facial muscle movements.
Because the dosage can alter the smile and movement around the mouth, we carefully assess whether botulinum toxin is appropriate.
Q. How soon do results appear, and how long do they last?
Growth factor results develop gradually, and at our clinic we normally assess improvement over about six months. We have documented a case with improvement still visible four years and four months after treatment, but the duration varies by individual.
Hyaluronic acid fillers and thread lifts can show visible changes immediately. Filler duration depends on the formulation and injection site, while thread lift duration depends on thread material and number, among other factors. Botulinum toxin typically starts working in 2–3 days and lasts approximately 3–6 months. Results from HIFU and RF vary by device and settings.
Q. Which treatment has the least downtime and risk?
Our clinic does not perform skin-removal surgeries such as facelifts for nasolabial folds, so downtime and risks are generally lower than with those surgical procedures. However, every treatment has its own risks, including swelling and bruising after injections, pulling sensations after thread lifts, and redness after HIFU or RF treatments.
Q. Can I book a consultation without deciding on treatment?
Yes. You are welcome to visit for a consultation only.
During your consultation, we assess why the folds are noticeable and, if treatment is appropriate, explain the options along with their advantages and disadvantages.
You are not required to undergo treatment on the same day, and we do not pressure patients to receive a treatment that is not suitable for them.
Summary: Choosing Treatment Based on the Cause of Your Nasolabial Folds
Nasolabial folds can be influenced by wrinkles that remain in the skin, hollows beside the nose, cheek volume, bone structure, and expression muscles. The dominant cause differs from person to person.
The most suitable treatment therefore differs depending on whether the goal is to address etched-in wrinkles, restore volume beside the nose, or improve sagging cheeks.
Consultation and Appointments
Talk to Us About the Causes and Treatment of Your Nasolabial Folds
We examine the concerns you have, such as smile-line wrinkles or hollows beside the nose, and explain the treatments that may be appropriate and how each works.
Your initial consultation is free of charge.
References and Further Reading
These resources primarily provide background on facial aging, fat, retaining ligaments, bone structure, and UV-related photoaging. They do not guarantee a particular treatment outcome for every patient.
- Mendelson B, Wong CH. Changes in the Facial Skeleton With Aging: Implications and Clinical Applications in Facial Rejuvenation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 2012;36(4):753–760.
- Swift A, Liew S, Weinkle S, Garcia JK, Silberberg MB. The Facial Aging Process From the “Inside Out.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2021;41(10):1107–1119.
- Cotofana S, Fratila AAM, Schenck TL, et al. The Anatomy of the Aging Face: A Review. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2016;32(3):253–260.
- Gromkowska-Kępka KJ, Puścion-Jakubik A, Markiewicz-Żukowska R, Socha K. The impact of ultraviolet radiation on skin photoaging—review of in vitro studies. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021;20(11):3427–3431.
- Walczak A, Krenz-Niedbała M, Łukasik S. Insight into age-related changes of the human facial skeleton based on medieval European osteological collection. Scientific Reports. 2023;13:20564.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA): Juvéderm Vista Vollift XC Electronic Package Insert
- Seraj SS, et al. Efficacy of Conservative Techniques for Mechanical Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2025;7:ojaf144.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Focused Ultrasound Stimulator System for Aesthetic Use—Class II Special Controls Guidance.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Potential Risks with Certain Uses of Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling—FDA Safety Communication.
This article is intended for general informational purposes. Treatment suitability, medicines and devices used, required amount and number of sessions, cost, effectiveness, duration, and risks are assessed individually at consultation. Prices shown are standard prices.
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