Nasolabial Folds & Marionette Lines

Facial “folds” are natural and they move dynamically when we smile, frown or get lost in thought. The goal of our treatments is not to eradicate these lines altogether, but to soften them for a naturally youthful look. The efficacy of these safe fillers is dependant on the depth of the fold and wrinkles on a patient’s face. We can say, with confidence, that we have the ability to lessen the appearance of Nasolabial Fold and Marionette Lines – but they’ll never fully be gone.

A “Fold Line” is a superficial crease that is left when your skin begins to sag and fold over itself. These occur naturally as the elastin and collagen beneath the skin’s surface begin to break down with age, with most patients noticing fold lines starting to form around their late 20s and early 30s. A fold line is similar to the crease left after you fold a piece of paper — it is the mark that is left on the paper when it becomes unfolded. We express emotion the same, but our skin doesn’t quite bounce back like it used to when we lost facial volume. Wrinkles are more superficial on the outermost layer of the skin, and are caused by repetitive muscular movement. 

Some of the biggest causes of nasolabial fold lines are completely natural – volume loss due to age, learned speech behaviors and simple genetics. Environmental and lifestyle factors that play a major role include smoking, rapid changes in weight, exposure to pollutants and sun damage from unprotected exposure to UV rays.

The skin below our mouths and on our chin is very thin and, as collagen breaks down over time, telling signs of aging creep up. Causes of Marionette Lines typically include natural collagen loss, poor nutrition, long-term dehydration, stress and exposure to the sun.

It is important to know that not everyone who has nasolabial folds or marionette lines is a candidate for filler. It is also important to have realistic expectations about the outcomes. If your filler specialist suspects that filler will not help you achieve your goals, it is possible that they may recommend you not receive the treatment. In some cases, your injector may consult with you and recommend other options that would better treat nasolabial folds and marionette lines, such as laser resurfacing, Botox treatments or a surgical facelift.

Everything begins with that initial consultation with one of our specialists! We’ll discuss your goals and ensure that you’re a good candidate for this filler treatment. The procedure consists of a series of small, little pokes along the areas in question, with some stopping to check symmetry and how the filler responds to your natural facial movements.

Patients can expect some minor discomfort during the procedure and slight swelling that may last anywhere from a couple of days and, in some cases, a couple of weeks. Some individuals experience bruising that lasts up to a week but can be covered by makeup.

The skin around the mouth is comparatively thinner when compared to other areas of the face, and it experiences much more dynamic movement. The constant movement of this area causes fillers to generally break down more quickly than more stagnant areas, such as the cheeks or nose. Different filler formulas also play a role in how long the actual molecular anatomy of the filler used also plays a role in how long the fillers last. Typically, a treatment will between 6 months to around two years. That’s quite the range, but it depends on how much of the filler was used, the amount of movement in the area and other factors, including your body’s natural metabolic rate.

The RHA® Collection is a unique hyaluronic acid filler designed specifically to combat dynamic wrinkles and folds. RHA uses longer branch chains of amino acids, which makes the filler much more flexible and pliable – meaning it won’t break down or degrade as quickly as fillers with shorter branch-chain amino acids. Some situations call for a filler with heavier viscosity to get the job done. If this is the case, we will discuss further options with you!

The cost of your nasolabial fold and marionette line filler treatment . Usually, we recommend you begin with two syringes of filler for your treatment, which may range anywhere from $1200 to $1800. The cost of your specific filler treatment will be given in a quote prior to your procedure. 

On average, our medspa specialists use 1-2 syringes to fill the overall need – the amount of filler depends on the technique of the injector and the depth of your lines/folds.