They may be called smile lines, but perhaps you notice them most when you're not smiling. The folds running from your nose towards your mouth look deeper, and their shadows seem to stay put.
Filler can soften these nasolabial folds by adding volume where support is missing. The aim is for them to look less obvious, so they don't draw quite so much attention in the mirror.
Dr Alex will examine the folds and the cheeks around them, then explain where treatment could make a difference. You certainly don't need to smile less.
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Dr Alex teaches dermal filler treatments to doctors, dentists and nurses, with experience across several ranges and a current Estyme trainer role for Evolus.
What bothers you about the folds?
Smile lines that stay after the smile
Nasolabial folds are a normal part of the face. You may be interested in treatment because they have become deeper or more noticeable to you.
The folds show at rest
The shadows make you look tired
One side looks deeper
The practical details
Before you book
Treatment may address the fold itself, lost support in the midface, or both. Dr Alex will explain which approach suits your face.
What treatment can change
Less obvious folds, with room to smile
Filler can reduce the depth of suitable nose-to-mouth folds and soften the shadow beside them.
Softening the depth and shadow of the fold can make the area beside your mouth look smoother and less tired. You'll still have a fold when you smile - it is part of how your face moves.
Sometimes there is also a fine line etched into the skin over the fold. Improving the volume underneath may soften the overall appearance, while a remaining surface wrinkle may benefit from a separate skin treatment.
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Choosing the right approach
What is creating the fold?
The folds can deepen as volume is lost in the midface - the cheek area beside and below your eyes - as well as through changes closer to the fold itself.
When filler is not enough
It cannot pull loose tissue back into place
If substantial sagging is creating the fold, adding filler may give limited improvement or unwanted fullness. Dr Alex will explain when another approach, including a surgical opinion, is more appropriate.
Completely removing every nose-to-mouth fold is not a realistic or natural-looking aim. Dr Alex will explain how much softening you can expect from treatment.
How it works
Supporting the area beneath the fold
Hyaluronic acid filler adds volume in the tissues to make a suitable fold shallower.
The gel is selected for the area and the support needed. Dr Alex assesses the fold at rest and when you smile, because this part of the face moves often.
Filler does not switch off your smile muscles. It changes volume and contour, unlike Botox, which works on muscle activity. Its effect gradually reduces over time, although some filler may remain after the most visible improvement has faded.
Your appointment
Point out the line, and Dr Alex will assess the cause
You don't need to decide whether to treat the fold or the cheeks beforehand. That is something he can help you work out.
Look at the folds and nearby tissues
Explain what can be softened
Place the filler
Aftercare and follow-up
Why Dr Alex
Experience with the face around the fold
Dr Alex teaches doctors, dentists and nurses across dermal filler ranges and is currently a trainer for Evolus's Estyme range. He has helped launch Estyme and Aliaxin LV in the UK.
He'll assess the fold itself and the support around it. If midface volume loss is contributing, he may recommend addressing that first rather than putting all the filler into the line you can see.
You can ask him to explain why he recommends treating a particular area, what improvement he expects and what is likely to remain. The recommendation should make sense to you before you go ahead.
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Side effects and suitability
What should you know before nasolabial fold filler?
Temporary swelling, tenderness, redness or bruising can follow treatment. The area beside the mouth may initially feel fuller or less even.
Possible side effects
Persistent lumps, unevenness, infection, allergic reactions and filler moving from its intended position can occur. Inflammatory swelling can also develop later. Contact SONÜ about symptoms that persist, worsen or appear after the area has settled.
Rarely, filler can interrupt the blood supply and damage skin or other tissue. Serious complications can include permanent sight loss or stroke. Dr Alex will explain these risks before treatment.
When to get urgent help
Contact SONÜ immediately for unusual or increasing pain, pale skin, or dusky or mottled skin after filler. If you cannot reach the clinic, seek urgent medical care.
A change in vision, sudden weakness or difficulty speaking needs emergency help. Call 999 and tell them you have recently had dermal filler.
When filler may need to wait
Treatment should wait during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and while there is an active infection or broken or inflamed skin around the nose and mouth. Tell Dr Alex about allergies, previous filler reactions, health conditions, medicines and any recent or planned dental work. These can affect suitability and timing.
You can ask questions, take time to think or decide against treatment.
Treatment pricing
How much does nasolabial fold filler cost?
Treatment starts from £400 for the first 1 ml. We’ll agree the amount, areas and total cost with you before treatment.
Your questions
Questions about nasolabial fold filler
Nose-to-mouth folds, cheek support and choosing the right treatment.
Are nasolabial folds the same as marionette lines?
Should I have cheek filler first?
Will filler get rid of the folds completely?
Can Botox treat nasolabial folds instead?
Will I still smile normally?
How much filler will I need?
How long will the result last?
Does treatment hurt?
Can I go straight back to work?
What if a fine line remains after the fold improves?
Other options
If you are noticing other changes around your mouth
Marionette line filler addresses grooves below the mouth corners. Cheek filler treats cheek volume and shape. Skin resurfacing may be more relevant for fine wrinkles in the surface of the skin.
Your next step
Let's see how much softer those folds could look
Book a consultation with Dr Alex at SONÜ in Hale, Altrincham. He'll assess your nose-to-mouth folds, explain what is contributing to them and talk through the improvement you could reasonably expect from treatment.
SONÜ Medical Aesthetics
34 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, WA14 2EX
Doctor-led treatment in a relaxed, private clinic
Close to Hale station and easy to reach from Altrincham, Manchester and Cheshire