Nasolabial Fold Filler in Huntersville, NC

Why I look above the fold

Everyone has nasolabial folds. They get deeper when the midface above them loses support, because the skin and tissue settle lower. Filling only the crease can soften it, but it can also make the lower face look heavy if the real change happened higher up.

So I look at the cheeks first. Sometimes restoring a little support there softens the fold below it, and the fold itself needs only a small amount, or none. Sometimes the fold is the main issue and we treat it directly. The cheek filler page covers the midface side.

Marionette lines

The lines that run from the corners of the mouth down toward the jaw are on the same menu line and quoted the same way. They often come with a little downturn at the corners of the mouth. I look at them together with the folds and the jawline, since support along the jaw can affect how they read.

What the FDA says

The FDA's dermal filler page names nasolabial folds among the uses for absorbable (temporary) fillers in adults 22 and older. FDA approval is product by product, so if you want to know exactly which filler I'd use and what it's labeled for, ask me at your consult. I use Juvéderm. Different HA fillers do different jobs, and I pick the right one at your consult.

What it costs

Nasolabial folds and marionette lines are priced per syringe and quoted at your free consult. If I recommend starting with the cheeks, you get that quote too, so you can compare. See the pricing page. Financing through Cherry and CareCredit is available for treatment plans.

Does it hurt?

Most people feel pressure and a few pinches. Some fillers already contain lidocaine, a numbing medicine, and we talk through numbing at your consult.

How long it lasts

The FDA says how long a filler lasts depends on the filler material and where it's injected, and that absorbable fillers break down over time, so the treatment may need repeating. HA fillers are reversible.

Downtime

Expect some swelling for a few days, and a bruise is possible. Most people go back to their day after the visit. Book at least two weeks before an event.

Your first visit

I look at your face at rest, while you talk, and while you smile, from the front and the side, with the folds, the cheeks, and the jawline in view together. Then I tell you where I'd start, how much I'd use, and the cost. Your two-week follow-up is included, and I adjust at no charge if needed.

Is it safe?

The FDA's page on dermal fillers explains the risks. Based on that guidance, wait or bring it up at your consult if:

• You're under 22. The FDA approves dermal fillers for adults 22 and older.
• You're pregnant or breastfeeding. The FDA says filler safety is unknown during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Your skin is inflamed or infected where we'd treat, including active acne, a rash, or hives.
• You have a bleeding disorder, severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis, or an allergy to lidocaine.
• You tend to form keloids or raised scars.

The FDA lists bruising, redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, and itching as common dermal filler side effects and says many clear up within days to weeks. The most serious risk is filler getting into a blood vessel. The FDA calls that chance low, but it can cause tissue damage, vision problems including blindness, or stroke. Get care right away for unusual pain, any change in your vision, or skin near the injection site that turns white, gray, or blue.

What filler won't do

Filler softens a fold. It won't erase it, and you wouldn't want it to, since a smile needs that crease. It also won't tighten loose skin. For a whole-face plan, see facial balancing, or browse the services page.