Are Nasolabial Folds Reversible? 

There are many cosmetic treatments to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds. If you have moderate to severe smile lines, you can reverse the look with plastic surgery, including nasolabial fold excision, and nonsurgical treatments such as dermal fillers, dermabrasion, Botox, and skin tightening procedures. However, because nasolabial folds are an inevitable part of aging, no treatment will provide permanent results.  

Consult Dr. Thomas Loeb, a board-certified plastic surgeon, to find out which cosmetic treatments are most appropriate for reducing the appearance of your smile lines. Dr. Loeb’s plastic surgery practice encompasses a wide range of procedures. With a skillful hand and a sensitive ear, he is able to meet the goals of his patients and exceed their expectations. 

Evaluating Your Nasolabial Folds 

Everyone’s needs and goals are unique. It’s best to consult a board-certified cosmetic surgeon to determine which treatments would be most effective for minimizing the look of your smile lines. 

If you have moderate to deep nasolabial folds and you desire dramatic results, you may wish to have the lines reversed with plastic surgery. If your smile lines are less severe and you aren’t interested in plastic surgery, nonsurgical techniques may be more appropriate. 

Plastic Surgery to Reverse Nasolabial Folds 

There are several surgical options for reversing the look of smile lines, such as a cheek lift. A facelift might be another effective option if you have other anti-aging goals beyond the reversal of nasolabial folds, as it can correct sagging skin and wrinkles on all areas of the face. 

If your primary concern is smile lines rather than other signs of aging, a nasolabial fold excision will likely be your ideal option. During this surgery, the plastic surgeon will remove excess tissue in the smile line area and tighten the skin by repositioning it. Nasolabial fold excision surgeries are highly effective for reversing the look of smile lines.  

Using Less Invasive Treatments to Reduce Their Appearance 

If you aren’t quite ready for plastic surgery, then you may wish to consider a less invasive treatment. Nonsurgical options can help temporarily reduce the look of smile lines, but they might not be able to achieve a full reversal. 

Some of the less invasive treatment options include: 

• Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm and Restylane, can be injected into the smile lines to plump them up. This is an effective option, but the results are temporary. 

• Botox: Botox injectables temporarily inhibit the activity of the muscles in the area, which reduces the appearance of smile lines. Botox generally lasts up to three months. 

• Dermabrasion: Dermabrasion is an intensive type of skin resurfacing. It involves removing the top layers of skin to reduce the appearance of imperfections like lines and wrinkles. 

• Morpheus8: Morpheus8 is an innovative skin-tightening treatment that combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling to make the skin more taut. 

Consult a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon 

Dr. Thomas Loeb—a board-certified plastic surgeon serving the New York City area—offers several effective treatments for reducing or reversing the look of nasolabial folds. These include surgeries such as nasolabial fold excision and nonsurgical treatments such as dermal fillers, dermabrasion, Botox, and skin tightening procedures. It’s our mission to help you enjoy greater self-confidence through aesthetic treatments. 

Contact our Great Neck or Manhattan office today to schedule a confidential discussion about your aesthetic goals.