Will a Facelift fix nasolabial folds? (photos)

Question

I've always had these really deep nasolabial folds I'm not even sure if that's just my face structure or if it's not what I think it is. I've always wanted to get rid of them but I want to do it in the most permanent way possible. I though that maybe buccal fat removal may work or a face lift. I've heard that fillers can help but I can't help but think it'll make my face look round. I don't want to fill out the folds what I want to stretch the skin so that my face looks flatter not plumper.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Face lift or any other surgical technique will not correct nasolabial folds. In your case, like it or not, fillers would be the best option to treat mild to moderate NLF. Good luck.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Judging solely from your photos, a facelift isn’t something that you need at this point, as you have no noticeable skin laxity or sagging. While I understand your reluctance to try fillers for fear of “rounding” your face, when placed by a highly trained injector, you will receive the results you desire without making your face look rounder. This is why I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and offer you customized options for treatment. An experienced, qualified injector will also know how to perfectly place filler so that the nasolabial folds are smoothed without adding unwanted volume to your face. Best of luck!

Sergei Kalsow, MD · Answer

Hi, in your case a facelift is not the right approach because you do not have any skin laxity under your chin, and a good jaw line.  The nasolabial folds facelift does not correct all the way anyway.  Your nasolabial folds are not deep, and can be treated with filler or fat transfer.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Generally, the first treatment for deep nasolabial folds is either filler or fat to plump up the depth of the fold so that it isn't as visible.  If done carefully, that shouldn't create a rounded appearance.  Since you look relatively young, you may not have enough skin looseness to see that much result from a cheek or facelift, and that tightening will loosen over time.  If you do develop or have significant looseness, then a cheeklift can help.  Buccal fat removal will reduce fullness but that change may be near the bottom of the nasolabial fold.

Barry M. Weintraub, MD, FACS · Answer

As a board certified plastic surgeon, I hear concerns like yours quite often. You appear to have excellent skin quality and it would be a shame to put incisions on someone who is not suffering from the usual signs of ageing that warrant facelifting surgery such as :  sagging skin, a weak jawline, jowls, etc. You are correct to “fear” filler – because, if placed incorrectly and overzealously, it absolutely can make people look distorted. However, filler placed meticulously and by an *expert* injector can help reduce the severity of your NL folds without making your face look round. You could also consider cosmetic threads, which are not a permanent solution, but they can work in conjunction with the filler and can be very effective with little downtime in the right patient. Keep in mind that to completely obliterate the NL folds (as you have done in your “wish” photo) would not be natural looking – and the key to sophisticated aesthetic procedures is to help patients retain a very natural look.

Rosa B. Lipin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos. 
Depending on the technique used, a facelift can help raise "fallen" cheeks and soften the NLF ever so slightly. Adding some strategic volume (that will not leave you looking puffy or round) to your lateral cheeks and to the piriform aperture will also help soften the NLF in a more natural way then adding volume directly to the folds. Volume could be in the form of fat grafting or HA fillers. Based on what I can see in the photos, you do not need any buccal fat removal.
It is natural and normal to have NLF-- we all have them even as babies, so I don't often aim for complete obliteration of the NLF but certainly understand the desire to soften the appearance. 
Best,Rosa B Lipin, MD

Will a Facelift fix nasolabial folds? (photos)

Answers (6)

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