Will my nasolabial folds get deeper over time if not treated? (Photos)

Question

I'm 20 and I'm not sure if having a hollow around my nose/nasolabial fold is normal. I think my mouth is protruding a bit could be the reason why there's a hollow. My question is, will it get deeper over time if not treated or is having a slight hollow around my nose/nasolabial fold totally normal?

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @RingAnew. Thank you for sharing your photos. The hollowing that you are seeing is the beginning of a NLF. The appearance is normal for a twenty year old.

Best of luck,

Dr. Nima

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. What you are describing looks like completely normal anatomy to me for someone in their 20s. I do not even appreciate a true NL fold. Don't let someone talk you into "correcting" something that isn't there.Hope this helps!Dallas R. Buchanan, MD, FACSOwner & Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonVIVIFY plastic surgery

Carter Abbott, MD · Answer

Hello from Omaha NE!  The hollow that you are seeing is the beginning of a nasolabial fold.  The appearance is normal for a twenty year old.  Aesthetically we consider your current appearance normal, and in fact very desirable.  The current hollow can be removed with use of filler but I would discourage you from doing so.  I have had two patients in the last month, in their early 20's who were certain that they wanted filler placed into this area.  Once I determined this was their goal, I provided the service, and they were both happy with the result.  To answer your other question about the changes with aging, the fold will likely deepen over time, which is a normal change with aging.  In an older mature face we typically improve the appearance of a deeper nasolabial fold by adding a filler, such as Voluma on the upper cheek bones, which provides a non-surgical lift.

Jo Herzog, MD · Answer

Firstly, I do not think that there is anything wrong with your folds and you have nothing to fix right now. Secondly, fixing this early does not change the future. Fillers are temporary and even if you used one that supposedly build collagen it would not appreciably change need for filer when you really age. One thing that I do think gets worse if not treated early are glabellar creases. The longer people let them go, the harder to fix.

Will my nasolabial folds get deeper over time if not treated? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Filling NLF will not prevent later problems

Answer: Filling NLF will not prevent later problems

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Will my nasolabial folds get deeper over time if not treated? (Photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Filling NLF will not prevent later problems

Answer: Filling NLF will not prevent later problems

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Dermal Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.