What causes nasolabial folds?

Everyone has nasolabial folds. They are the natural creases that run from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth, and they deepen when you smile. With age they deepen at rest too, because the cheek above them changes. Midface fat pads shrink and slide downward, the bone beside the nose slowly recedes, and skin loses collagen. Tissue then folds over the crease instead of sitting high on the cheekbone. Sun damage, smoking and weight loss make this appear earlier.

How nasolabial folds are assessed

At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, your doctor looks at the fold and at the cheek above it, at rest and when you smile. Folds are usually described as:

Mild: visible mainly when smiling
Moderate: visible at rest, with some flattening of the cheek
Deep: a heavy fold with clear descent of the midface

Your doctor will often treat the cheek rather than the line. Filling a deep fold directly can look heavy, while restoring support higher up softens it more naturally. If facial volume loss or sagging is the root cause, the plan addresses that first.

Treatment options for nasolabial folds

Dermal Filler

Dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid (HA) restores volume in the cheek or directly in the fold. Your doctor chooses it when you want an immediate, adjustable result. HA filler can be dissolved if needed. Korean and imported products are both available; see HA filler brands used in Korea.

Lenisna

Lenisna is a higher-concentration PDLLA collagen stimulator that builds soft volume over two to three months. It is chosen when you prefer a gradual, natural change that lasts around 12–24 months. Unlike HA filler, it cannot simply be dissolved, so your doctor uses conservative amounts.

Ulthera Prime

Ulthera Prime lifts the midface with microfocused ultrasound at the SMAS layer. Your doctor chooses it when tissue descent, rather than volume loss, is deepening the fold. It does not add volume, so it suits faces with good fullness and some laxity. Results build over two to three months.

Thread Lift

A thread lift uses dissolvable PDO threads to lift cheek tissue that has slid toward the fold. It suits moderate to deep folds with clear descent; expect 3–7 days of swelling or bruising. Results commonly last 12–18 months.

Comparing your options

Treatment	Best when	Downtime	From price
Dermal Filler	You want an immediate result	Mild swelling for 1–3 days	₩150,000 (1cc, Korean HA)
Lenisna (Juvelook Volume)	You prefer gradual, natural volume	Mild swelling for 1–3 days	₩490,000 (1 vial)
Ulthera Prime (Ultherapy)	Tissue descent deepens the fold	None to mild swelling or tenderness	₩390,000 (100 lines)
Thread Lift	Moderate to deep folds need lift	3–7 days of swelling or bruising	₩690,000 (per area, thread count varies)

Prices are in Korean won (KRW), exclude 10% VAT, and are confirmed at your consultation. You can compare every treatment on our price list.

Combination plans

Deep folds often need both lift and volume. A common plan is Ulthera Prime or threads to reposition the midface, then a small amount of filler or Lenisna for support. This avoids overfilling the fold itself. Your doctor usually plans lifting first and volume second, often in the same visit. Compare approaches in thread lift vs Ulthera Prime and Lenisna vs Sculptra.

At-home care and prevention

Daily SPF, not smoking and a stable weight help protect midface collagen and fat. UV reaches your skin on cloudy days too, so make sunscreen a year-round habit. Sleeping on your back may reduce creasing on one side. Smiling is not the problem, so there is no need to change your expressions.

Planning treatment during a trip to Seoul

Filler and Lenisna have short downtime, but bruising is possible, so avoid booking them the day before an important event. Skip alcohol for a day after filler. Threads need up to a week to settle. Read about flying after fillers, then book a consultation to plan around your dates.

Safety and when to see a doctor

The area beside the nose contains important blood vessels. Filler blocking a vessel is rare but serious, so it should only be placed by a licensed doctor who knows the anatomy and can act immediately. Contact the clinic urgently if you notice skin blanching, severe pain or any change in vision after filler. Injectables are not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or over an active infection.

Should filler go directly into the nasolabial fold?

Not always. Many doctors restore cheek support first, which softens the fold without making it look heavy. A small amount may then be placed in the fold itself if a crease remains.

How long does nasolabial fold filler last?

Usually 6–18 months, depending on the product, the amount and your metabolism. Lenisna results often last 12–24 months because they rely on your own collagen.

Can smile lines be removed completely?

No, and you would not want them to be. Some fold is natural and keeps your face looking like you. The aim is to soften a deep fold so you look rested.

Is filler or a thread lift better for smile lines?

Filler adds volume, while threads lift tissue. If your cheek has descended, lifting tends to help more; if it has flattened, volume helps more. Many plans use both.

Can I drink alcohol after filler?

It is best to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours, as it can increase swelling and bruising. See can I drink alcohol after filler for details.

Related treatments

Dermal filler — immediate HA volume
Lenisna — gradual PDLLA collagen volume
Thread lift — lifts descended cheek tissue

Prices and results

Dermal filler price in Seoul — cost per cc and area
Dermal filler results — what to expect and when
Lenisna results — how volume builds over months

Related concerns and areas

Marionette lines — lines below the mouth corners
Facial volume loss — the root cause of many folds
Cheek treatments — restoring midface support

Guides and FAQs

HA filler brands used in Korea — Korean and imported options
Alcohol after filler — aftercare timing

Dernia Clinic Myeongdong

Nasolabial Fold Treatment in Seoul