7 Different Treatments for Nasolabial Folds

They say laughter is the best medicine, but sometimes the nasolabial folds known as laugh lines might not bring a smile to our faces. But you can turn that frown upside down — there are ways to help minimize them. Keep reading to learn more about some common treatment options to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds.

What Are Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds, sometimes called smile lines or laugh lines, are the deep wrinkles that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. As we age, these lines can become more pronounced, even when we’re not smiling or laughing.¹

What Causes Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are commonly caused by:¹

• Aging. The natural aging process can cause skin to sag, forming lines on the face and neck. As we age, we also produce less collagen and elastin, which help skin retain its structure, elasticity and ability to hold its shape.

• Sun exposure. Prolonged sun exposure can break down collagen and elastin, causing skin damage and the development of smile lines over time.

• Smoking. Smoking can speed the aging process by restricting blood vessels in the skin, limiting the skin’s ability to retain nutrients.²

• Fat loss. Rapid weight loss can cause facial skin to sag with extra loose skin.²

Treatment Options for Nasolabial Folds

The best treatment for your nasolabial folds depends on several factors, including your age, skin type, desired outcome, lifestyle and budget. Consult with a board-certified dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon to help you determine the treatment plan that best fits your specific needs.

Procedure costs can also vary depending on the method, experience of the health care provider and your geographic location. Keep in mind that while some procedures have little to no downtime, others may have a longer recovery period. In addition, be sure to discuss the potential side effects of any treatment with your doctor before making a decision.

1. Dermal fillers

Dermal fillers are one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the U.S.³ They are injected into the nasolabial folds to restore volume and smooth out wrinkles for a more youthful appearance.¹

Dermal fillers are minimally invasive with almost no downtime. Results are typically immediate and may last from six months to two years, depending on the type of filler used, the location of the injection site and your lifestyle. Possible side effects of dermal fillers include swelling, bruising and redness at the injection site. Note that dermal fillers are temporary solutions that usually require subsequent injections to maintain results.¹

Different types of dermal fillers include:

• Injectable hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar.³ It is typically found in the joints, eyes and skin and can be used to reduce the appearance of facial folds.⁴ Depending on the injection site, results can last from nine to 12 months or longer.⁴

  The national average costs* for popular injectable hyaluronic acid treatments are listed below.⁵

• Injectable calcium hydroxylapatite. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is a biocompatible filler that can offer longer-lasting results — 12 months or more compared to hyaluronic acid.⁶ Injections of Radiesse®, a popular calcium hydroxylapatite injectable, averages* $693 per treatment in the U.S.⁵

2. Botulinum toxin injections

Commonly known by the brand name BOTOX®, these injections can soften the appearance of nasolabial folds by immobilizing the muscles that contribute to their formation. BOTOX can be a good choice for patients with mild to moderate facial folds but may not be as effective for patients with severe nasolabial folds.³

Results from BOTOX typically last three to four months and may require repeated treatments to maintain results. The average cost* for Botox is $420 per treatment.⁵

3. Microneedling

Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, creates tiny punctures in the skin using a device equipped with tiny needles. This process stimulates the skin’s natural ability to heal by increasing the production of collagen and elastin, which can improve your skin’s firmness and texture, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and folds.²

The average cost* of microneedling is $954.⁷

4. Laser treatments

Ablative and non-ablative laser treatments may be used to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds.

Ablative laser treatments resurface facial skin by removing the outermost layer, stimulating collagen production for smoother, tighter skin. Ablative laser treatments are a more invasive procedure and have a longer recovery time.³

The average cost* of an ablative laser skin resurfacing treatment in the U.S. is $2,809.⁵

Non-ablative laser treatments may use concentrated light energy to target deeper layers of the dermis to stimulate inflammation, resulting in increased collagen formation as the skin heals itself.³ Non-ablative treatments often require less downtime to heal.³ The average cost* for non-ablative laser treatment in the U.S. is $1,815.⁵

5. Chemical peels

Another form of skin resurfacing is a chemical peel, which removes the top layers of dead skin cells to promote new skin growth underneath, reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles, including nasolabial folds.¹

Your dermatologist can advise you on the right chemical peel for your needs, with light, medium or deep peel options. Patients may feel some discomfort, redness or skin sensitivity with a chemical peel, which usually requires some downtime for healing, from a few days to two weeks, based on the type of peel. Regular follow-up treatments are usually required to maintain your skin’s smooth appearance.¹

The average costs* for the different types of chemical peels are listed below.⁷

6. Thread lift

A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses FDA-approved dissolvable sutures to tighten sagging skin and stimulate collagen production. Threads are made from complex sugar polydioxanone (PDO) and dissolve within six to eight months. Results can last as long as a year.⁸

PDO threads are seamlessly anchored into your natural tissue and manipulated to help diminish signs of aging like nasolabial folds. There is little downtime with this non-surgical procedure, and patients typically see results immediately.⁸

The average cost* of a PDO thread lift is $2,185.⁷

7. Topical treatments

FDA-approved prescription creams containing concentrations of vitamin A, retinoids and hyaluronic acids have been shown to reduce wrinkles by exfoliating the top layer of dead skin cells and stimulating collagen production for a fuller, more youthful-looking appearance.³ Retinoid creams may not be as effective as other treatments for reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds, however, and it can take several months of consistent use before seeing results.

Financing Nasolabial Fold Treatments With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting nasolabial fold treatments or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.