Can Botox lift nasolabial folds?

Hi @alimola22! I recommend Hyaluronic Acid dermal fillers in the cheeks (Restylane Contour, Lyft or Juvederm Voluma) for cheek lifting and softening the nasolabial folds. You can also inject dermal filler into the piriform fossa to help soften the nasolabial folds. Best of luck, Dr. Nima!

I recommend fillers to soften the nasolabial folds themselves and also lift around the mouth and cheeks to build underlying anatomical support. In our practice we combine Sculptra with other fillers "layered" on top and lasers, skin tightening treatments such as Thermage, Fractora, and Renuvion (J Plasma), thread lifting, and peels to get the most conservative, natural look. I suggest seeing a facial sculpting expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer

Dermal filler in the cheeks is the better option for cheek lifting and softening the nasolabial folds. There is an injection spot near the nasal ala that will soften the nasolabial folds, but it doesn't have a cheek lifting ability.

Botox can only address wrinkles caused by facial expression muscles (e.g. crow's feet, horizontal forehead lines, and vertical elevens between the brows).

Nasolabial folds, on the other hand, are caused by a reduction in the volume of your face which contributes to a deflated-looking appearance. Aside from the fact that Botox is not recommended for nasolabial folds, many cosmetic dermatologists like myself believe in refraining from using Botox around the mouth since this could potentially impair day-to-day motor movements like speaking and eating.

At my office in Los Angeles, the Dr.U Hair and Skin Clinic, we use a very natural-looking filler called Radiesse to lift the nasolabial groove. The end results look incredibly natural and can take years off your appearance. Here is a real-life patient case from my clinic (below) that I think you will enjoy learning about.

Botox, which I have been injecting for aesthetic purposes since 1991, is used for, among things, calming the overactive facial expression musculature responsible for the production of scowl lines between the eyebrows; crow's feet lines to the sides of the eyes; forehead worry lines; and droopy marionette line angles to the sides of the mouth. It is definitely not used in the cheeks the way you describe, since doing so would likely adversely affect the ability to smile. A a robust filler, such as Restylane Lyft or Voluma XC, placed appropriately in the cheekbone regions can, however, provide the kind of lift and projection that can not only improve overall facial contour, but diminish the smile lines below. Make sure to consult with a board certified aesthetic physician and ask to see his/her personal before and after photos before agreeing to proceed. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question. Botox cannot lift nasolabial folds, however, when done properly, it can lift marionette lines and also the corners of the mouth. Not many practioners have the skill and knowledge how to do that though, so you have to be careful whom to ask for that treatment. The way to lift the naso--labial folds is to use Voluma, high along the zygomatic arches on the periosteum using a certain injection technique (and strategic location) to lift and reposition the tissues and restore natural youthful facial contours once again. Typically, many common injectors are too fearful to go high and inject too low causing the look as if two apples are midway down people's cheeks. So again it is imperative to choose a board certified facial plastic or plastic surgeon who is well versed with the anatomy and also aesthetic principles of natural and true beauty.

Best Wishes in your quest,
Dr. Anna Petropoulos
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Boston's North Shore and Back Bay.

Botox cannot be used for the nasolabial folds but you may be able to address it with fillers. Please contact a qualified provider or a board-certified physician with extensive experience in these procedures.

Botox is a neuromodulator that works by affecting the ability of muscle to contract, resulting in softening of lines and wrinkles. It works well in the forehead, Crow's feet and in between the brows. Based on your description, you are a better candidate for fillers. They use volume to improve symmetry, give lift to the cheek area, and soften nasolablial folds. See an expert injector near you for a consultation to learn more.

There is a lot of confusion between Botox and filters Botox is a paralyzing agent. Therefore, if you have wrinkles with grimacing or facial animation, Botox may help. But if you have deep folds like nasolabial folds or wrinkles when at rest, Botox will have no effect and could possibly make things worse. A hyaluronic acid filter, like Juvederm or Belotero, would be more appropriate.

The Nasiolabial Folds or NLF become prominent as we age and lose volume in the upper part of our faces such as the temples, under eyes and cheek area. To soften the NLF you'll need to replenish the volume with fillers like Versa, Revance, Juvederm and Restylane which are made of Hyaluronic acid or Radiesse, a Calcium based filler that also stimulates collagen production. You may possibly need some fillers added to the NLF as well. Hope this helps.
Best from boston, Dr. Onir