Nasolabial folds—also known as “smile lines”—are something we all have. But for some people, these lines become more pronounced over time and can make them feel self-conscious or appear older than they feel. If that sounds familiar, you might be wondering what your options are.
Located in New York City, Dr. Thomas Loeb offers expert surgical solutions for nasolabial folds, helping patients restore a more youthful, refreshed appearance with natural-looking results.
Let’s walk through everything you need to know about nasolabial fold surgery—what it is, how it works, who it’s for, and what to expect.
Nasolabial folds are the creases that run from the sides of your nose down to the corners of your mouth. You may know them as smile lines or laugh lines. While they’re completely natural, they can deepen over time due to aging, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, or smoking. For some, these lines start to feel less like a natural feature and more like an unwanted sign of aging.
Smile lines naturally become more noticeable over time in response to changes associated with the aging process. Certain lifestyle factors can worsen their severity, such as sun exposure and smoking.
Although everyone has smile lines, deep folds can detract from your appearance. You might start to feel more self-conscious about your appearance, and this can affect your quality of life. Dr. Thomas Loeb—a skilled nasolabial fold surgeon—can help by providing a range of treatment options, including long-lasting surgical solutions.
For those with milder smile lines, there are a handful of nonsurgical options to explore from microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing to fillers, botulinum, and other minimally invasive treatment options. Over time, however, you may discover that your smile lines become more severe, and moderate to severe smile lines won’t respond well anymore to those types of treatments.
Instead, you’ll need to consult a New York plastic surgeon to discuss whether surgery could be right for you. Choosing surgery can effectively address deep smile lines, reversing signs of aging and creating long-lasting results.
The development of smile lines is a natural occurrence, yet some people prematurely develop particularly deep smile lines. This can be due to numerous factors, including:
One of the primary causes is natural aging. As we grow older, our cheeks lose volume, and gravity pulls the skin downward. This, combined with a reduction in collagen and elastin, leads to deeper facial creases.
Certain lifestyle factors can worsen the appearance of nasolabial folds. Smoking, for example, destroys the collagen and elastin your skin needs to remain vibrant and healthy, as can exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Significant changes in weight (either gains or losses) can also accentuate the look of nasolabial folds.
Ultimately, we are living organisms and we all age eventually. It is not possible to completely prevent the appearance of nasolabial folds; however, it is possible to mitigate this natural effect of the aging process.
The easiest and arguably most important action you can take to prevent and mitigate the aging process is by wearing sunscreen with a high SPF whenever going outdoors, regardless of whether it’s summer or winter. Cover up exposed skin and wear a broad-brimmed hat.
Along with that, there are a handful of other steps you can take, including:
Before considering surgery, it’s advisable to explore non-surgical treatment options. These options can help reduce the appearance of mild to moderate smile lines, but not may work as well for very deep folds.
Treatment options include:
Dr. Thomas Loeb prioritizes patient education along with health and safety. Before you undergo any type of procedure with Dr. Loeb, he’ll ensure that you’re fully informed about what to expect, how to prepare, and how to support your recovery.
During your consultation, Dr. Loeb will discuss your anesthesia options. Many patients undergo nasolabial fold surgery with local anesthesia and a mild sedative, which numbs only the treatment area while keeping you awake but relaxed. Others may prefer general anesthesia, which puts you into a temporary sleep so you’re completely unconscious during the procedure.
Once you’re comfortable, Dr. Loeb will make small, discreet incisions near the nasolabial area. A small amount of tissue is removed, and the skin is gently repositioned to smooth and minimize the folds. If additional volume is needed, cheek implants can be placed during the same procedure to further enhance facial contours.
The surgery typically takes about an hour to complete.
Soon after the surgery, you’ll see a noticeable reduction in the severity of your nasolabial folds. Bear in mind that your full results cannot be seen until the healing process is complete. As the swelling subsides, you’ll start to see the more youthful contours and smoother appearance of the skin.
Prior to discharge, you’ll be given instructions for your recovery. It’s important to follow them carefully and to call our office with any follow-up questions you may have or symptoms you might notice.
Every patient is different, but in general, the initial phase of the recovery timeline is about 10 days to two weeks. The swelling typically worsens for up to the first three days before starting to resolve. Most people can resume light activities in 10 to 14 days. Full healing may take an additional week or two.
Check out some of our nasolabial fold before and after photos to see for yourself how it can transform your appearance.
Why have so many patients in New York City and beyond chosen Dr. Thomas Loeb for nasolabial fold surgery? A distinguished plastic surgeon with board certification and decades of experience, Dr. Loeb has developed a reputation for clinical excellence and cosmetic artistry. Experience the difference that expert care can make.
Dr. Loeb has made it his life’s work to advance the profession of plastic surgery and help countless patients achieve greater confidence in their appearance. As a board-certified surgeon, his work has appeared in medical journals, medical textbooks, and mainstream media. Consult a trusted surgeon with more than three decades of experience and a longstanding reputation for excellent results.
Dr. Thomas Loeb offers confidential consultations at office locations in Manhattan and Great Neck, NY. He also meets with long-distance patients remotely. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Loeb today to find out if a nasolabial fold surgery could be the right choice for you.
