Get the Last Laugh on Laugh Lines: Treatment Options for Nasolabial Folds By Hove Center for Facial Plastic Surgery on September 13, 2016

It seems almost cruel that the reward for a lifetime of laughing and smiling is the formation of the so-called laugh lines that extend from the edges of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Clinically called nasolabial folds, these lines that once appeared only when you smiled or laughed now appear permanently etched on your face. While some people may be fine with their laugh lines, you aren’t - and that’s perfectly all right. Thanks to modern facial cosmetic surgery and non-surgical facial rejuvenation, you no longer have to live with nasolabial folds if you choose not to. And board-certified facial plastic surgeon Christopher R. Hove is ready to help you erase those laugh lines from your face.

Dr. Hove offers a range of both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for nasolabial folds at his Philadelphia, PA plastic surgery practice. During your consultation with Dr. Hove, he will ask you about your aesthetic goals, assess your facial skin, and advise you of your treatment options. Together, you and he will arrive at a treatment plan that is perfectly suited to your unique needs.

If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your face due to the appearance of nasolabial folds, we encourage you to schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Hove at Hove Center for Facial Plastic Surgery today.

Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®

Nasolabial folds start to appear due to the loss of underlying volume in the face. This is why the injectable dermal fillers Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® are extremely effective in the treatment of nasolabial folds. Both Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® feature hyaluronic acid, a protein that occurs naturally in the human body, as their active ingredient. Hyaluronic acid molecules are “water-loving”; each molecule is capable of attracting and retaining up to 1,000 times its weight in water. As a result, Restylane® and JUVÉDERM® are able to restore volume to hollow areas of the face, including nasolabial folds, for months at a time. When results begin to fade, treatment can safely be repeated.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Using a CO2 laser, the gold standard among medical lasers, Dr. Hove can remove the aged, wrinkled outermost layers of facial skin to uncover the healthier, more texturally consistent layer underneath. Laser skin resurfacing is often effective in treating moderate to deep lines such as nasolabial folds that chemical peels cannot effectively treat. A single laser skin resurfacing session can significantly reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds and other wrinkles and blemishes on the skin.

Facelift Surgery

For patients with more pronounced nasolabial folds, facelift surgery may be the recommended option. Dr. Hove customizes each facelift he performs to the patient’s unique needs and goals. If a patient’s primary concern is nasolabial folds, he can modify the surgery to address only the midface region, including the cheeks and the nose-to-mouth area. During the procedure, he lifts the drooping malar fat pad that is partially responsible for the formation of nasolabial folds and tightens the skin of the lower third of the face. Patients emerge with less conspicuous laugh lines and more youthful facial contours.