How much does a facelift help nasolabial folds?

A facelift can have dramatic effect on nasal labial folds. It depends on the facelift type. A mid facelift would have more effect on the nasolabial fold. Micro-liposuction is a good addition to address the nasolabial folds if they are thick. In older patients the nasolabial folds can be excised directly without a facelift and have a good result.

Hello,

A facelift can definitely soften the nasolabial folds, but it usually does not eliminate them completely. The degree of improvement depends on the technique used and how much midface descent is contributing to the folds. A deep plane or midface lift can generally improve this area more effectively because the deeper cheek tissues are repositioned, rather than simply tightening the skin.

Thank you for your question! While it's true that a Facelift wouldn't–or shouldn't–completely correct nasolabial folds (that would be too tight of a pull/unnatural), it will improve them. A Facelift involves lifting/repositioning the cheeks and mid-face to a higher point, taking the heaviness off of the folds. The addition of Fat Grafting to a Facelift achieves even more improvement in that area. I always transfer some fat to the areas that have lost volume, such as the nasolabial folds.

Certain types of facelift techniques have more impact on the nasolabial fold compared to others. This is also patient, anatomy, and surgeon dependent. Facelifts are designed to reposition the cheek/jawline tissues. Usually inadequate movement or change in the nasolabial folds is from an inadequate release of retaining ligaments or poor technique in general.

This all depending on what technique is used for the facelift and the discussion with the surgeon for the ultimate goal. Release the ligaments will provide a significant improvement to the folds but a skin-only facelift will not do much since there is no foundation of improvement. Also, fat grafting to the face can also help re-volumize areas that may be sagging...

Hello. This is partially true as it depends on the type of facelift you get. Some techniques are designed to better address the nasolabial folds. The deep plane facelift technique, where you do an extended sub-SMAS dissection and release the retaining ligaments of the face, specifically the ligaments in the mid-face, will help address mid-face tissue descent and improve the nasolabial fold. Without ligament release, a facelift would not be able to improve the nasolabial folds much and would soften the lower part of the fold at best.

Hello. A facelift improves nasolabial folds only modestly because those folds come from deep ligament and volume change, not just skin laxity. A deep plane facelift softens them by lifting the cheek, but it does not erase the fold the way filler temporarily can. For best results I combine the lift with fat grafting when the fold is deep, rather than promising the facelift alone will flatten it.

Hello,
Thank you for your question which relates to the aims of facelift surgery. When the mid face is surgically lifted, the nasolabial folds should be corrected although in some cases where the crease is deep, has been present since early adulthood or is a familial trait, adjunctive techniques such as fat grafting can also be beneficial.
I recommend you seek the advice of a specialist plastic surgeon with experience in facelift surgery who can recommend following clinical assessment the type of facelift which is most suitable for your specific requirements.
Best wishes
Dr Sugitha Seneviratne (MED 0001154659, Registered medical practitioner, Specialist Plastic Surgeon (Specialist Registration Surgery – Plastic Surgery).

Generally, a facelift softens rather than eliminates the nasolabial folds. A deep-plane, extended-SMAS, or midface lift, when done well, with proper midface release, can make a meaningful impact on the NL folds by elevating descended cheek tissue. Even then, some fold usually remains because it is partly a normal fixed anatomical crease. If cheek-volume loss is also contributing, fat grafting or carefully placed filler may be considered alongside surgery. If you are considering a facelift I would consult with a few surgeons and ask about techniques and look at b/a photos.

This is only partly true. A traditional facelift that mainly focuses on the lower face and neck may have a limited effect on pronounced nasolabial folds. However, the type and extent of the facelift make a significant difference.
A properly performed deep-plane facelift can address the midface as well as the lower face. By releasing the retaining ligaments and repositioning the descended cheek/malar tissues, it can soften nasolabial folds more directly than a conventional skin or SMAS-focused facelift.
That said, I would not promise that a facelift will completely erase nasolabial folds. Their appearance can also be influenced by volume loss, skin quality and underlying facial anatomy. In some patients, restoring volume with fat grafting or addressing the midface/cheek separately may be appropriate.
So if your main concern is deep nasolabial folds together with cheek descent, I would make sure you are being evaluated for the midface as well, rather than choosing a facelift that only tightens the lower face.