Seocho-gu Nasolabial Fold Lifting: Why Treatment Varies Depending on the Cause

Hello,
I’m Dr. Heejin Park, Director of Onu Clinic,
where we approach beauty through science.’

“I feel like my nasolabial folds make me look older.”

Because nasolabial folds can have a significant impact on the overall impression of the face,
many patients visit our clinic wondering
which treatment would be most suitable for them.

However, the cause of nasolabial folds differs from person to person.
This means that the same treatment
is not necessarily the right solution for everyone.

At Onu Clinic, rather than starting with the question,

“What procedure should we perform?”

we first ask,

“Why have these nasolabial folds developed?”

Today, we’ll take a closer look at the different causes of nasolabial folds
and explore which treatments may be helpful
depending on the underlying cause.

1. Nasolabial folds do not develop for the same reason in everyone.

When you look in the mirror,
nasolabial folds may all appear quite similar.

In reality, however,

there are many different reasons
why they become deeper or more noticeable.

For some people, insufficient structural support beside the nose
can make the folds appear deep from the beginning.

For others, sagging cheeks can create shadows
that make the nasolabial folds appear more pronounced.

In some cases, frequent movement of the muscles around the mouth
can make the folds more noticeable.

They may also become more permanent
as the skin loses elasticity over time.

Because the causes can be so different,
treating every nasolabial fold in exactly the same way
may not produce the desired result.

What matters most is accurately assessing:
what facial structure is contributing to the depth of the folds,
which areas need additional volume,
and which areas may need volume reduction
or lifting.

2. The appropriate treatment depends on the cause of the nasolabial folds.

At Onu Clinic,
we classify nasolabial folds into several types
based on their underlying causes
and develop a treatment plan
that best suits each patient’s current facial structure and condition.

① Structural Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Volume

When there is insufficient structural support beside the nose,
the nasolabial area may appear hollow,
creating a deeper shadow.

In these cases,
dermal fillers may be used
to naturally restore volume to areas where support is lacking.

Another option is Juvelook Volume,
which may help stimulate collagen production
and gradually create natural-looking volume.

② Fat-Dominant Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Volume Reduction

Sometimes the nasolabial area itself is not actually hollow.

Instead, excess or thicker fat above the nasolabial fold
can create a shadow,
making the fold appear deeper than it really is.

In these cases,
HIFU lifting treatments such as Ulthera, Shurink,
or Alltite may be considered.

Contour injections may also be used in combination
to address excess localized fat.

For some patients, reducing unnecessary volume
may be more appropriate than adding filler.

③ Muscle-Dominant Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Muscle Relaxation

Some patients have relatively mild folds at rest,

but notice that their nasolabial folds become much deeper
when they smile or speak.

In these cases,
the movement of the muscles around the mouth
may be contributing to the appearance of the folds.

Botulinum toxin treatment around the nasolabial area
may therefore be considered
to gently reduce excessive muscle activity.

④ Sagging Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Lifting

As we age,
the cheeks and tissues of the midface may gradually descend.

When this happens,
the nasolabial folds can also appear deeper.

In these cases,
we first assess the cause and degree of sagging.

Depending on the patient’s facial condition,
lifting treatments using devices such as
Ulthera, Shurink, Alltite, or Fotona may be considered.

When necessary,
thread lifting may also be used
to reposition and lift sagging tissue.

For some patients,
this approach may be more suitable than simply adding volume.

⑤ Atrophic Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Improved Skin Density

As the skin becomes thinner
and collagen levels decrease,
skin elasticity can decline,
making nasolabial folds appear more defined.

In these cases,
collagen-stimulating treatments such as
Juvelook Skin, Atelofill, Retigen, or Juveacell may be considered.

These treatments are designed to help improve skin density
and support overall skin elasticity.

⑥ Deep Crease Type — Nasolabial Folds That Need Smoothing

When the skin repeatedly folds along the same line over many years,
the nasolabial fold may gradually become
a deeply etched crease.

In these cases,
a combination of fillers and regenerative skin treatments
such as Atelofill or Retigen may be considered.

The treatment plan is designed to soften the crease naturally
rather than simply overfilling the area.

Nasolabial folds do not develop
for the same reason in everyone.

That is why it is important not to choose a procedure
based solely on the wrinkle that is visible on the surface.

Instead, the first step should be understanding
why the nasolabial folds have developed
in your particular facial structure.

For some patients, filler may be an appropriate option.
For others,
lifting treatments, botulinum toxin,
or regenerative skin treatments may be more suitable.

At Onu Clinic,
rather than recommending a procedure simply because it is popular,
we place importance on carefully analyzing
each patient’s individual facial structure and condition.

Our approach is not simply about asking,
“What should we add?”
but rather,
“What does this face actually need?”

We also believe it is equally important to explain
which areas may not need treatment at all.

This is one of the core principles
of our approach at Onu Clinic.

If you have been concerned about your nasolabial folds,
we recommend beginning with a consultation
to understand what may be causing them in your own face.

From there, you can consider
which treatment approach may be most appropriate for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article.
I’m Dr. Heejin Park,
Director of Onu Clinic.