Nasolabial Folds — Identify the Cause First, Then Soften Them Naturally

Why Nasolabial Folds Deepen — and Why You Need to Tell the Causes Apart First

Nasolabial folds are the lines that run from beside the nose down toward the corners of the mouth. They are a natural boundary everyone has, but with age the cheek above them drops and volume in the front of the cheek decreases, so the shadow gets deeper. Even with the same nasolabial fold, a different cause calls for a different approach, and most people have two or three causes at once.

5 Causes and Their Characteristics

A Simple Self-Check in the Mirror

• Look straight ahead with a relaxed face — if the line remains, volume or sagging is involved; if it shows only when smiling, it is an expression line
• Look in the mirror lying down — if the folds fade a lot when you lie down, sagging plays a larger role
• Lightly pull the cheek in front of your ear upward with your fingers — if the fold smooths out right away, it is sagging; if it still looks hollow, it is volume loss
• Check the front of the cheek and beside the nose in profile — a flat front cheek or a recessed area beside the nose points to volume or bone structure
• Stretch the fold with your fingers — if fine overlapping lines appear, skin elasticity is involved

Options at a Glance, by Cause

Rather than filling only the "line" of the nasolabial fold, looking at the cheek above it and the front of the cheek together is the key to a natural result. If sagging is the cause and a lot of filler goes only into the line, the mouth area can actually look heavier.

Comparison by Method — When Results Show, How Long They Last, Downtime & Fit for a Short Trip

A Closer Look at Each Method

Hyaluronic Acid Filler — Nasolabial Folds and the Front of the Cheek

This is the fastest way to see a change. A small amount goes into the hollow beside the nose to support the base, and if the front of the cheek has hollowed, the front of the cheek and midface are filled too, reducing the shadow from above. Being able to adjust with a dissolving enzyme is another advantage.

Collagen-Stimulating Injections — Gradual and Natural

These injections use ingredients that stimulate collagen production in the skin. Rather than creating volume right away, the skin firms up over several months. Multiple sessions are usually needed, and ingredients and approved uses differ by product, so be sure to confirm the product name.

Device Lifting and Thread Lift — When Sagging Is the Cause

Ultrasound lifting reaches down to the fascia layer, while radiofrequency lifting heats the skin layer broadly to improve firmness. When sagging is clear, a thread lift, which physically lifts the cheek with dissolving threads, is an option, and you should allow for 1–2 weeks of swelling and tightness.

Fat Grafting and Facelift — When You Need a Bigger Change

Fat grafting moves your own fat into the front of the cheek and midface to fill a wide area of volume, and some of it is absorbed, so additional sessions may be needed. A facelift is a surgical option for severe sagging; the recovery is long and not suited to a short trip, so it isn't covered on this page.

Beware of an Unnatural Look from Too Much Filler

Repeatedly putting a lot of filler into the nasolabial folds can make the area beside the nose bulge or make the cheeks look unnaturally bunched when you smile. This is the look often called "filler face."

• Don't aim to erase the line completely — making it softer looks more natural
• If sagging is the cause, consider lifting together with filler rather than adding more filler
• First check whether earlier filler is still present, and if needed, replan after clearing it
• We prefer a small touch-up after 2 weeks over putting in a lot at once

Realistic Combinations by Age

Short Trip Plans

3 days / 2 nights — filler and devices

• Day 1
  Arrive → consultation → ultrasound or radiofrequency lifting, then filler (if on the same day, the device is usually done first)
• Day 2
  Sightseeing is fine. The filler area may be swollen, so avoid saunas and alcohol
• Day 3
  Fly home. Lifting results appear over the following weeks

5 days / 4 nights — including thread lift and fat grafting

• Day 1
  Arrive → in-person consultation, decide on method and extent
• Day 2
  Treatment → rest at your accommodation, cold compress (staying near the clinic is recommended)
• Days 3–4
  Light outings with a mask are fine. Progress check at the clinic
• Day 5
  Fly home

Genuine Filler and Injection Check (Essential)

Results and longevity of fillers and collagen-stimulating injections depend on the product and amount, so checking on the day matters. At KBEAU partner clinics, you can request the checks below.

1. Confirm the product name and the amount (cc) for each area before treatment.
2. Ask that a new product be opened in front of you, and ask to see the box and label (product name, amount, expiry date).
3. After treatment, ask to see the empty syringe or label that was used, and take a photo for your records.
4. Check that the product name and amount are written in your medical record or treatment details.

Aftercare — During Your Trip and After You Return Home

• After filler: for 1–2 weeks, don't press hard on or rub the treated area, and don't sleep face-down
• After filler or injections: avoid saunas, alcohol, and intense exercise for 2–3 days
• After device lifting: avoid saunas and alcohol that day, and be diligent with moisturizer and sunscreen
• After a thread lift: for 2–4 weeks, avoid opening your mouth wide, chewy food, and facial massage
• For outdoor plans in strong sun, wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink water often on the flight
• For 1–2 months after returning home, put off meridian massage and strong facial massage

Normal Reactions and Symptoms to Report

Common reactions that pass: swelling, small bruises, a dull ache, tightness after a thread lift, and a slightly firm feel to the touch. Most ease within days to weeks.

• After filler, if the skin turns white or purplish and the pain is severe — contact the clinic right away
• If your vision blurs or you feel anything unusual around the eyes — contact us immediately
• If swelling or pain keeps getting worse each day, or you get heat or pus
• If there's clear asymmetry when you smile or you can feel a lump
• If a thread shows through or sticks out of the skin — don't pull it out yourself; take a photo and contact us

Questions to Ask at Your Consultation

1. Is the main cause of my nasolabial folds sagging, volume loss, skin elasticity, or bone structure?
2. Which suits me better: placing filler directly in the fold or filling the front of the cheek?
3. What are the names of the products and devices you use, and how much (amount or number of shots)?
4. What can I have on this trip, and what should wait until my next visit?
5. How long should I expect swelling and results to last in my case?
6. How do you make sure it doesn't look overdone?
7. Will the doctor who consults with me perform the treatment personally?
8. If a problem comes up after I return home, how do I contact you and get it checked?

How to Choose a Clinic

• Do they examine and explain the cause before recommending filler?
• Do they look at overall facial balance, including the cheek and front of the cheek, rather than filling only the line?
• Will they also say "not needed right now" or "less is better"?
• Do they tell you the product name and amount in advance and agree to a genuine-product check?
• Do they offer foreign-language support and photo follow-up after you return home?

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong. Send us photos with a relaxed face and a smile, and we'll first share a doctor's opinion on the cause of your nasolabial folds, the methods that suit you, and a combination that fits your travel schedule. From consultation through treatment and follow-up, a dedicated manager accompanies you and interprets. We can also help you book accommodation near the clinic and an airport pickup car.