Nasolabial fold filler softens the deep shadow that runs from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. These folds are also known as smile lines; as they deepen they can lend the face an unrested expression.
I treat this area not as a line to be filled but as an indicator of the face’s overall need for support. I describe what filler does in other areas of the face on the dermal fillers page. Focusing on the fold itself usually means starting in the wrong place.
Why these folds deepen
There are two main reasons:
- Loss of bone support. The bone beside the nose recedes with age.
- Descent of cheek tissue. The fat pads of the mid-face lose volume, descend and gather beside the nose.
The second is what I see more often. In that situation, injecting the fold treats the consequence rather than the cause.
Support first, refinement second
When too much product is placed into the nasolabial fold, the central face becomes heavy and the result looks unnatural. So I follow an order.
Support first. If the fold is caused by descending cheek tissue, the mid-face or cheekbone is supported first. As tissue is carried upward, the weight resting on the fold decreases and the crease opens on its own.
Refinement second. Once the face is supported, whatever remains along the nasolabial line is softened with a very small amount of product.
Working in that order, the result is a rested face rather than a filled one.
The decision between lip and nasolabial comes down to where the shadow originates: if the fold running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth is in the foreground, nasolabial filler; if the volume and border of the lip itself are in the foreground, lip filler comes forward. One does not replace the other; the final choice is made at the consultation.
How the treatment works
- Assessment. The depth of the fold and the state of cheek support are evaluated together.
- Application. This area is vascularly rich, so a blunt-tip cannula is generally preferred for safety. The treatment takes about 20 minutes.
- Comfort. The lidocaine in the product keeps the process comfortable.
The perioral area is mobile; average longevity is 9 to 12 months 1.
Safety and anatomy
An important vessel, the angular artery, runs through this area, and the choice of plane is decisive here.
The main consideration in filler treatment is placing the product in the correct plane relative to the tissue and the vascular anatomy. For that reason I prefer a blunt-tip cannula in suitable areas, working in the deep plane and advancing slowly. In a large published cohort study, the rate of vascular events in experienced hands was reported as roughly one in 6,400 syringes with a needle and one in 40,000 with a cannula — infrequent with either technique, and less frequent still with a cannula 2. Experience also matters: in the same study, rates were markedly lower among physicians with more than five years of practice. The fact that hyaluronic acid based products can be dissolved if needed provides an additional margin of safety; I explain this on the filler dissolving page.
Aftercare
A few simple points on the first day are enough to keep the result where we planned it:
- Do not apply make-up or cosmetic products to the treated area for the first 24 hours.
- Do not massage or rub the treated area.
- Avoid very hot showers for the first 24 hours, and saunas and steam rooms for the first week.
- Avoid heavy exercise and intense cardio for the first week.
- Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment, and do not smoke for the first 4 hours.
- Drink plenty of water; hyaluronic acid binds water in the tissue, which helps the result settle.
Short-lived mild redness, tenderness or a small bruise may appear at the injection points; these resolve on their own within a few days. Because an allergic reaction can occur rarely, treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
What we review together at your consultation
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Active skin infection or an unhealed wound in the treatment area
- Known hypersensitivity to filler components
- The active phase of an autoimmune condition, if you have one
- Permanent filler previously placed in the same area
- Your current medication and general health
- Recent or planned dental treatment
If one of these applies to you, we plan a more suitable alternative rather than the treatment.
Planning your visit
The clinic is in Nişantaşı, Şişli, Istanbul, about 45 minutes from Istanbul Airport. A stay of 2–3 days covers arrival, consultation and treatment, and departure. Injectable fillers need no recovery period; mild swelling may last two to three days, so if you have an event we plan the appointment around it. I do not commit to a plan over messages: we speak before you travel so you know what is realistic, and we confirm it in person on the day. Flying is usually fine 24 hours after an injectable treatment. Remote follow-up and contact are provided, and consultations are held in English.
Pricing
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Frequently asked questions
Will the fold disappear completely?
My aim is not to erase the fold but to soften the deep shadow and ease the expression. Retaining a gentle smile crease matters for a natural result — a completely flattened perioral area does not look natural.
Will my smile change?
No. Placed in the correct plane, filler does not affect how the muscles of expression work.
References
- Prager W, Wissmueller E, Havermann I, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2012;38(7 Pt 2):1143-1150. PMID: 22759250 PubMed
- Alam M, et al. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(2):174-180.
Medically reviewed by Uzm. Dr. Ömer Fatih Şahin, Specialist in Anaesthesiology and Reanimation Published: 22 February 2026 · Last updated: 2026-09-21