Nasolabial folds are essentially the facial equivalent of stretch marks. They vary in severity, serve no purpose in particular and offer a constant, gentle reminder of something you can’t really do anything about – aging.
In case you are wondering, Nasolabial folds are the indentations on either side of the mouth that become more visible with age or when the skin begins to lose its elasticity. They are alternatively regarded as smile or laugh lines and are notorious for being one of the leading reasons for facial cosmetic solutions.
Okay, it is really not that we dread the prospect of aging, but everybody agrees that nobody likes their lifelong journey strewn across their face in the form of a wrinkle or folds. Let’s just say we like to maintain a little mystery about how much time we have spent around here, and these facial folds aren’t quite as dedicated to the cause.
So, how to get rid of nasolabial folds you ask? Well, how about we start from where nasolabial folds come from –
What Causes of Nasolabial Folds?
Significant Weight Loss
You might think that those few extra pounds are the enemy, but that extra fat actually keeps your cheeks plump and those facial lines filled out. Consider your fat a ‘natural filler’, without it, your skin would become loose and your nasolabial folds accentuated.
On the other hand, yo-yo dieting and frequent weight fluctuations can also put you at risk of developing nasolabial folds. This time, the folds would likely be obvious regardless of your weight. Your skin might lose its elasticity permanently with weight irregularities and the result is having smile lines even when you’re not actually smiling.
Aging
Even without significant weight gain or weight loss, age can cause your skin to lose its elasticity and begin sagging or drooping. With your facial structure beginning to flatten gradually and many years of skin damage beginning to take its toll, your face is likely to succumb to these folds as well as wrinkles. Add that to the drastic but natural reduction in elastin and collagen and you have a perfect recipe for those pesky little smile lines.
Sun Damage/ Lifestyle/ Sleeping Positions
Between frequent exposure to ultraviolet rays and habits like smoking, collagen and elastin reduction can be increased significantly. While the sun rays break down the nutritive fibers that hold your skin taut, smoking also accelerates the process. This is further worsened by side sleeping. Sleeping on one side will likely deepen the folds on one side, even if the other indentation doesn’t become quite as prominent. Ultimately, back sleeping is more favorable for your skin – and if you can’t get a hang of it permanently, simply alternate your sleeping positions.
Treatment Options for Nasolabial Folds
There are a variety of methods by which to rid yourself of these notorious folds. The best way to determine which procedure is best for your skin’s condition is to seek the counsel of a dermatologist. While the doctor will likely recommend a variety of treatment options, most treatment solutions can be grouped into these three –
Skincare Products
These have proven to be the safest method to tackle laugh lines. Topical skincare applications happen to be non-invasive and fairly cheap (compared to the alternatives). They often comprise a variety of skin-friendly ingredients including silicone and peptides and sometimes, Retinol.
Of course, their affectivity cannot be compared to that of the injectables and surgical procedures, but they can also be used a preventive measure and you can easily indulge your skin in the solitude of your own vanity – no pressure or judgment.
Here are our top two recommendations in this category;
Reviva Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream
We are most impressed by the explicit description of the function of this product. If you think about it, you’re more likely to find ‘anti-aging’ creams or ‘anti-wrinkle’ creams than you are to find ‘anti-nasolabial fold’ creams – and no, it is no small factor in determining what skin products to use. Multifaceted products are often like the proverbial jack-of-all-trades.
Away from its name, the Reviva Nasolabial Fold + Multi-Peptide Cream makes a great pick because of its ingredients which combine a unique formulation of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 sunflower and jojoba seed oil as well as aloe leaf juice. I mean…what else is left to say about a product that contains 4 of the most powerful ingredients that are known for excelling against these pesky folds.
Peptide Complex Serum By Eva Naturals
Anybody with some insight into nasolabial treatment will agree that a peptide serum is, perhaps, the easiest way to go. And in addition to containing skin soothing proteins, the Peptide Complex Serum By Eva Naturals also comprises Aloe vera, Hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E, effective against scars and even burns.
So, not only do you get nasolabial fold treatment with this serum, you also get a silky smooth complexion and complete healing.
Browse other treatment options for nasolabial folds here:
Fillers
An advanced alternative to topical solutions is the use of cosmetic, injectable fillers such as Botox, Juvederm or Restylane. These are temporary solutions, but are known to work much faster than creams or serums; however, they are no $50 dollar treatments.
If you are looking to use cosmetic fillers to tackle your nasolabial folds, bear in mind that treatments cost just under $1000 or more. Thankfully, they last from 9 to12 months without much hassle.
Unlike the topical options, however, the use of fillers have serious risks, some of which may include allergic reactions or infections from botched attempts. Given this fact, it suffices to say that any invasive procedure must be carried out by experienced personnel under hygienic conditions. And if you can’t afford the real deal, simply leave your face be. I assure you, nasolabial folds do not bite, but you might have a hard time convincing people that you don’t after a botched mid-facelift.
Skin Tightening Procedures/Surgery
Surgical corrections of nasolabial folds offer a permanent solution to facial drooping or sagging. This may either involve inserting implants or fat to plump-up sagging regions or carefully excising loose skin to restore it back to its taut appearance. Dermatologists may also prescribe basic skin tightening procedures that involve the use of ultrasound or fractional lasers to stimulate the regeneration of collagen.
Risks in surgical procedures abound. From defective or contaminated implants to scarring and an odd appearance after suturing; ultimately, the decision to go under the knife must be thoroughly evaluated. However, if all goes smoothly, you’ll be glad you took the plunge – just make sure you don’t get hooked on its outcome. Yeah. We’ve seen cosmetic surgery junkies; they are often the sight that results in sore eyes.
How Can Nasolabial Folds Be Avoided?
The short answer is yes. When we are young, plump and marionette line-free, it is easy to imagine things will never go south. But they do; both literally and figuratively. If you are serious about keeping your skin safe from damage, and gravity, here are a few things you should consider –
Use Sun Protection
Your skin will be glad to be masked from the damaging effects of UV exposure. In fact, by the recommendation of the American Academy of Dermatology, daily sunscreen usage is an absolute necessity, even if you are only partially exposed to sunlight.
Use Moisturizers
Incorporate moisturizers or moistening skin care products into your beauty or skincare routine. Consider products with high concentrations of retinol, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). While retinol can boost skin cell production, vitamin C and hyaluronic acid will provide sufficient protection from collagen depleting exposure while firming up the skin. Also, remember that the use of retinol can be counterproductive if you do not use sunscreen and moisturizers.
Consider a few Lifestyle Changes
From not smoking to sleeping on your back, there are a plethora of lifestyle changes that could lower your chances of developing nasolabial folds. If you are keen on remaining naturally youthful, remember that every choice you make will likely reflect in your appearance. So, eat healthily, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and laugh often – all it takes is to keep your body calm, well-rested and satisfied and it will stay vibrant and vivacious.
Conclusion – How to Get Rid of Nasolabial Folds
So, Nasolabial folds are no joking matter – a fact that whoever coined the term ‘laugh lines’ probably overlooked; but it is great to know that we don’t have to live with the creases in our makeup or the aging appearance they result in. Whatever solution you decide on, however, remember that these treatment options for nasolabial folds often come with a small risk of being counterproductive. The only thing guaranteed to leave absolutely no scars on your face (or bank account) are preventive measures that will protect your face from these folds in the first place. And while genetics may not be on the side of preventive tactics, they will, at the very least, delay the formation of folds. Ultimately, you shouldn’t have to live with a single nasolabial fold if you would rather not – whenever you are ready, a nasolabial fold-free future awaits.
