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Nasolabial Fold Treatments

Clinical management of nose-to-mouth lines and mid-face ageing

Nasolabial folds are the natural facial creases running from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, deepening with age as mid-face fat compartments descend and skin loses elasticity. While some depth is normal, deepened folds can create a tired or aged appearance. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying volume loss rather than simply filling the crease directly, which produces a more natural and longer-lasting result.

GMC Physician Oversight
CQC-Registered Medical Clinic
Clinical Governance
Est. 2016

Berkshire Aesthetics is a CQC-registered medical aesthetic clinic in Maidenhead. All treatments begin with a consultation to assess suitability, medical history, risks and realistic outcomes.

Aetiology & Contributing Factors

Most skin and aesthetic concerns are multifactorial. Clinical assessment helps identify which contributing factors are most relevant in your case before treatment is selected.

  • Age-related loss of mid-face fat volume causing the cheek to descend
  • Decline in collagen and elastin reducing skin support
  • Gravitational descent of facial soft tissue
  • Bone resorption in the maxilla reducing mid-face projection
  • Repeated facial expressions deepening the fold over time
  • Sun damage and photoageing accelerating skin structural changes
  • Genetic factors influencing facial fat distribution and skin elasticity

Clinical Presentation

Presentation varies by skin type, severity and duration. These are common clinical signs we assess during consultation.

  • Deep creases running from the nose to the corners of the mouth
  • Shadow or fold that is visible at rest, not just when smiling
  • Loss of mid-face volume creating a flatter cheek profile
  • Asymmetric fold depth — one side deeper than the other
  • Marionette lines extending below the mouth corners (often co-occurring)
  • A tired or downturned appearance to the lower face

Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities

Treatment selection is individualised following clinical assessment, taking into account disease severity, Fitzpatrick skin type, medical history and patient goals. You can also review our consultation standards before booking.

Dermal Fillers treatment for nasolabial folds

Dermal fillers can be used to directly soften the nasolabial fold or restore mid-face volume that is contributing to fold depth. Treating the cheek and mid-face often produces a more natural result than filling the fold alone. Suitability confirmed during consultation.

Profhilo treatment for nasolabial folds

Profhilo bio-remodelling improves skin quality, hydration and elasticity in the lower face and mid-face. It may help mild nasolabial creasing in suitable patients where skin quality rather than volume is the primary concern; outcomes vary. Suitability confirmed during consultation.

Morpheus8 treatment for nasolabial folds

Morpheus8 RF microneedling stimulates collagen remodelling in the nasolabial area, improving skin firmness and texture. It can reduce mild fold depth and improve overall lower face skin quality. Suitability confirmed during consultation.

Ultherapy treatment for nasolabial folds

Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen in the deeper tissue layers, creating a gradual lifting effect in the mid-face that can reduce nasolabial fold depth. Suitability confirmed during consultation.

HarmonyCa treatment for nasolabial folds

HarmonyCa hybrid filler softens deep nasolabial folds with immediate volume correction and ongoing collagen stimulation. The dual-action formula provides effective correction with a longer-lasting improvement than traditional fillers alone.

Profhilo Structura treatment for nasolabial folds

Structura is a high-lift hyaluronic acid filler used for structural correction of deep nasolabial folds. Its lifting capacity restores the mid-face support that softens these folds at the source.

Why we start with a consultation

Every treatment begins with a medical assessment. We need to understand your medical history, current health, skin condition and concerns before prescribing any procedure. This protects your safety and ensures the treatment is clinically appropriate for you.

During your consultation, your clinician will explain what the treatment can realistically achieve, any risks specific to you, and whether an alternative might be more appropriate. Consultations are carried out by our doctors or advanced aesthetic practitioners, depending on the treatment or concern being assessed.

All bookings are subject to our Booking Conditions.

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Clinical FAQs: Nasolabial Folds

These answers cover common practical questions. For individual diagnosis and treatment advice, book a medical consultation.

This depends on the underlying cause. If mid-face volume loss is contributing, cheek filler often provides a more natural result than filling the fold directly. Your doctor will assess and recommend the most suitable approach; outcomes vary.
Nasolabial folds are a natural facial feature and some depth is normal. Treatment aims to soften and reduce prominence rather than eliminate them completely, which would look unnatural.
Dermal fillers in the nasolabial area typically last 9–15 months, depending on the product used and individual metabolism. Mid-face volume correction can last up to 18 months.
Often a combination produces the best result. Restoring cheek volume lifts the fold from above, while a small amount of filler can soften the crease itself. Your doctor will plan the optimal approach.
Modern fillers contain lidocaine for comfort, and topical anaesthetic is applied before treatment. Most patients describe mild, tolerable discomfort.
Mild swelling and possible bruising for 3–7 days. Results are visible immediately with final settling over 2–4 weeks.

Plan Your Next Step

Use these links to review consultation standards, check treatment pricing, and request a clinical assessment.

Clinical Summary

Expected Recovery PeriodMinimal to mild — expect mild swelling and possible bruising for 3–7 days after filler; non-invasive treatments have less downtime
Therapeutic ResponseFiller results are visible immediately with settling over 2–4 weeks; energy-based treatments develop over 2–6 months

Clinical Governance

  • Clinical assessment identifies whether nasolabial folds are driven by volume loss, skin laxity or both — each requiring a different treatment strategy
  • We often treat the cause (mid-face volume loss) rather than just the symptom (the fold itself) for more natural, longer-lasting results
  • Conservative treatment is prioritised — over-filling nasolabial folds can look unnatural, and we aim for balanced facial harmony

Book a Consultation

Request a medical assessment for your nasolabial folds with our clinical team.

Discuss suitabilityCall 01628 202028

Not sure what you need?

Try our free AI skin analysis to identify your main concerns and see suggested treatments.

Start free skin analysis →

Related Conditions

Explore related condition pages for differential context and linked treatment options.

Further Reading & Clinical References

The following external resources provide independent clinical and regulatory information.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual suitability for any treatment is assessed during a consultation. Always seek the guidance of a qualified medical professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Clinical governance

Page last reviewed: 2026-03-01

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