The apparent signs of aging, besides crow’s feet around the eye area are the nose to mouth lines, or folds. Medically, they are known as nasal labial folds which become visible in individuals around their 30s or 40s. As we age, the skin’s laxity causes it to sag and form folds at the mouth area making one look more aged. Youthful faces are plump in the cheek area, but this plumpness slowly decreases with age. Although the line from the nose to the mouth is completely normal, over time with age and smiling, it deepens and eventually leads to folds.

The cheek has a layer called the malar (from the Latin for cheek) fat pad. It is connected to the cheekbone and it gives the cheek its plumpness. As it relaxes as we age and begins to sag slowly, downward. It is then that the fold occurs at the mouth.

Thankfully, there are ways to correct the nose to mouth lines or folds, both surgically and non-surgically. Surgically, they can be corrected with a full face lift, a midface lift or with a cheek lift. In these cases, the malar fat pad is lifted in upward on the cheekbone, hence giving the appearance of a plump, youthful face.

Non-surgically, there are several options as well. With the help of soft tissue fillers such as Restalyn, among others, you can achieve plumpness all the while concealing the line and fold. These soft tissue fillers are injected at the area meant to be treated, in this case the nasal labial fold. For more of a plump, you should opt for the liquid facelift. This procedure uses fillers as well, but instead are used to add volume to the cheek area. At the same time, it lifts the sagging skin and pulls the nasal labial up.

Some other nonsurgical techniques in dealing with nasal labial folds are achieved with laser and/or light therapies. The lasers are used to tighten skin. Another noninvasive or minimally invasive procedure is a threadlift. It is safe, and leaves you with natural looking results, much like that of a facelift. Tiny sutures lift sagging areas and are inserted with a long needle and cannot be felt, nor seen.

Nose to mouth lines can be corrected, that’s the good news...except that these corrections come with a hefty price. Before you make a decision, be sure to research as much as possible and try to get referrals.

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