Softening Nasolabial Folds Without Changing the Face
One of the principles I value most in aesthetic medicine is that a successful treatment should complement the face rather than change it.
The before-and-after photographs above are a good example of this approach. The aim was not to completely erase every line or create an artificially smooth appearance. Instead, the objective was to soften the nasolabial folds, improve the transition between the cheek and mouth area, and create a fresher, more balanced appearance.
The result is deliberately subtle. The patient still looks entirely like herself, but the lower face appears softer and less shadowed.
What Are Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds are the natural lines that extend from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them to some degree, and they are an entirely normal part of facial anatomy.
However, they can become more prominent with age.
This happens for several reasons. Changes in facial volume, skin elasticity and the structural support of the mid-face can all contribute to deeper folds. Repeated facial movement and the effects of gravity also influence their appearance over time.
As the folds deepen, they can create more noticeable shadows around the mouth. For some patients, this can make the face appear more tired or aged than they feel.
The goal of treatment therefore shouldn't necessarily be to remove the fold altogether. In many cases, doing so would require excessive correction and could compromise a natural appearance.
Instead, I prefer to look at how the fold relates to the rest of the face and determine how much correction will provide an improvement while preserving normal facial anatomy.
A Subtle Improvement Can Make a Significant Difference
In the photographs, the change is particularly noticeable around the transition from the side of the nose towards the corner of the mouth.
The nasolabial folds appear softer and less pronounced, reducing some of the shadowing through this area.
Importantly, the treatment hasn't dramatically altered the patient's facial proportions. The lips haven't been unnecessarily enlarged, and the natural contours around the mouth remain visible.
This is exactly what I aim for.
Good aesthetic treatment isn't necessarily about making the biggest possible change. Often, a relatively small adjustment in the right place can improve the overall balance of the face.
Why Dermal Filler Can Help Nasolabial Folds
Dermal fillers can be used to restore support and volume in carefully selected areas of the face.
For nasolabial folds, treatment needs to be individualised because the reason a fold appears prominent can differ considerably from one patient to another.
Some patients may benefit from treatment directly around the fold, while others may require consideration of the surrounding facial structures and areas of volume loss.
This is why I don't believe nasolabial fold treatment should simply involve "filling a line".
The face needs to be assessed as a three-dimensional structure.
During consultation, I consider the depth of the fold, facial proportions, skin quality, volume distribution and how the tissues move when the patient speaks and smiles. From there, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed.
Natural Results Rather Than Overcorrection
It can be tempting to think that the best result is one in which a line disappears completely. In aesthetic medicine, that isn't always the case.
Nasolabial folds are part of normal facial anatomy. Completely eliminating them can sometimes make the central face appear unnatural or overfilled.
My preference is therefore to soften rather than erase.
When looking at a before-and-after result, I want the improvement to be visible without the treatment becoming the first thing you notice.
Ideally, someone looking at the patient shouldn't immediately think, "She's had filler."
They should simply notice that she looks fresher.
Maintaining Facial Expression
Another important consideration is movement.
The area around the mouth is highly dynamic. We use it constantly when smiling, speaking, eating and expressing emotion. Any aesthetic treatment in this region therefore needs to respect normal movement.
This is another reason why conservative treatment can be valuable.
The objective isn't to create a perfectly smooth, motionless face. Natural lines and movement are part of what gives a face character.
Instead, treatment can reduce the prominence of ageing-related changes while allowing the patient to retain their normal expressions.
Every Face Requires a Different Approach
There is no standard amount of dermal filler that is appropriate for every patient with nasolabial folds.
Two people may appear to have similar lines but have completely different underlying facial anatomy.
Age, facial structure, skin quality, previous aesthetic treatments and the degree of volume loss all need to be considered. The amount and placement of product should therefore be decided following an individual assessment rather than simply according to the name of the treatment area.
This is particularly important for patients seeking natural-looking results.
Sometimes less product, positioned carefully, produces a more elegant result than attempting to correct every visible line.
Consultation Comes First
Before any dermal filler treatment, I carry out a consultation and facial assessment.
This gives us an opportunity to discuss what concerns you, what you would like to improve and, equally importantly, what you don't want to change.
I can then assess whether dermal filler is suitable and explain what degree of improvement would realistically be achievable.
It is also an opportunity to discuss the procedure, expected results, aftercare, potential side effects and risks before making a decision about treatment.
Aesthetic medicine should never be about pursuing perfection. It should be about making considered changes that work with the individual patient's anatomy.
The Result: Refreshed, Not Different
The result shown here represents the type of aesthetic outcome I aim to achieve: visible improvement without obvious alteration.
The nasolabial area looks softer, the shadows around the mouth are reduced and the lower face has a fresher appearance. At the same time, the patient's individual features and natural character have been preserved.
For me, that balance is fundamental to good aesthetic medicine.
The aim isn't to create a different face. It's to help the existing face look fresher, softer and more harmonious — while ensuring the patient remains unmistakably themselves.
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