CONCERNS
Nasolabial Folds in Nottingham
YOUR BEAUTY DOCTOR - NOTTINGHAM
Smile lines are a natural part of the face. If the folds beside your nose have become deeper, you may feel that the shadows around your mouth are more noticeable than they used to be.
At Your Beauty Doctor in Mapperley, Nottingham, we assess the folds alongside your cheeks and skin. The aim is to understand the change and discuss softening it without losing the character of your smile.
You do not need to change the way you look to ask for advice!
What are Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth. They are often called smile lines or nose-to-mouth lines. Everyone has some contour here, and a visible fold is not automatically a problem.
A fold is more than a fine wrinkle on the skin surface. Its depth can reflect the shape and support of the surrounding tissues. Marionette lines start below the mouth corners and are a separate concern.
What causes Nasolabial Folds?
CAUSES
Natural Face Structure
The shape of your nose, cheeks and mouth influences the folds. They can be visible from a young age and become more pronounced when you smile.
Changes in Midface Support
Ageing can alter cheek volume and the position of soft tissues. The resulting change in support can deepen the transition beside the nose and mouth.
Skin and Weight Changes
Reduced elasticity, sun exposure and weight changes may add to the appearance. The balance of causes differs between patients, so assessing only the crease can miss what is happening around it.
Can Home care Help?
WHAT MAY HELP
Skincare and sun protection can support texture and hydration, but a cream cannot reliably restore lost cheek volume or reposition a deeper fold. Makeup may soften the shadow, particularly with light application rather than a heavy layer in the crease.
ITS LIMITATIONS
There is no need to stop smiling. Facial exercises do not reliably remove nasolabial folds. If changes followed rapid or unexplained weight loss, consider the underlying health issue as well as the aesthetic concern.
Nasolabial Folds Treatment Options in Nottingham
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Selected dermal filler
For suitable patients, hyaluronic acid filler may soften part of the fold. The amount and placement depend on its anatomy. The aim is an appropriate reduction in depth, not flattening a normal facial contour.
Sculptra
Sculptra may be considered where broader facial volume and collagen-related changes are relevant. It works gradually and is not a precise, immediate correction for an isolated crease.
Cheek Filler
If lost cheek support contributes, cheek filler may be discussed. Improving support can influence the appearance of the folds, but it is not a guaranteed lift or a reason to add volume to cheeks that do not need it.
Choosing the right approach for you
We look at the fold at rest and during smiling, alongside cheek volume, skin laxity and previous filler. The right approach may address the fold, surrounding support or both.
A deeper fold does not automatically need more product placed directly into it. Where significant laxity is responsible, filler may offer limited benefit and adding volume can create heaviness. We explain the likely degree of improvement before agreeing a plan.
DOCTOR’S ADVICE
Dr. Jess Advice on Nasolabial Folds
“A smile line should be considered in context. It is a normal transition between the cheeks and mouth, and removing every trace can change the way a face looks. The first question is whether the fold is mainly part of your natural anatomy or has deepened because surrounding support has changed. That distinction helps avoid adding volume where it is not needed. Sometimes a small change directly to the fold is appropriate; sometimes the cheeks deserve attention first. Neither approach should be assumed from a photograph alone. A good plan leaves room for normal movement and accepts that softening a shadow may be a better goal than chasing a completely flat surface.“
Dr Jessica Halliley • Aesthetics Doctor and GP
MBChB (Hons), MRCGP, DRCOG, PGDipAes
WHAT TO EXPECT
Your patient journey at Your Beauty Doctor
STEP 1
Whole Face assessment
We discuss when the folds became more noticeable and examine the cheeks, nose-to-mouth transition and skin. Previous filler and your medical history are reviewed.
STEP 2
Clear Treatment Plan
We explain whether the fold itself, surrounding volume or skin laxity is the main focus. You receive information on benefits, risks, costs and alternatives.
Treatment and Aftercare
STEP 3
If you proceed, you receive the preparation and aftercare instructions for your selected procedure. We explain expected settling and what symptoms need attention.
STEP 4
Review and maintenance
Progress is reviewed after an appropriate interval. A staged plan may be preferable to trying to achieve the full change in one appointment.
What results can you expect?
Treatment may reduce the depth or shadow of suitable nasolabial folds. A natural fold will usually remain, especially when you smile. Non-surgical care cannot guarantee the effect of surgical lifting.
Filler-related changes can be visible early but need time to settle. Sculptra develops gradually over a treatment course. Results vary, and all procedures have risks. With filler, these include bruising, swelling, lumps and rare serious vascular complications.
Left: Before / Right: After
Left: Before / Right: After
Frequently Asked Questions about Nasolabial Folds
Left: Before / Right: After
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Yes. Facial anatomy and movement can produce visible folds before age-related volume changes. Their presence alone does not mean treatment is needed.
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Yes. Nasolabial folds run from the nose to the mouth corners. Marionette lines extend downwards from those corners towards the chin.
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It may help where reduced cheek support contributes. It is not suitable for every fold, particularly when your cheeks already have adequate volume.
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That is a possible unwanted outcome, especially if volume is added without considering anatomy. Product choice, placement and a conservative plan matter, but no result is guaranteed.
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It is generally discussed as part of a broader plan rather than a precise immediate correction for one crease. Suitability depends on the whole face.
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We need to understand previous treatment before recommending more. Persistent product, lumps or swelling can change the appropriate approach.
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Duration depends on the option, product, area and individual response. Your doctor will explain the likely range and reassess before suggesting maintenance.
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Yes. You can choose advice and skincare support alone. These have limits for a structural fold, but there is no obligation to proceed with treatment.
Let's Talk
Not sure where to start or what treatments would be suitable for you? Book a consultation with one of our experts for a full facial assessment, and she will create a bespoke treatment plan for you- with zero pressure to proceed with anything else.