Many of you may already know the lines from the nostrils to the corners of our mouth are referred to as nasolabial lines. This is probably the most popular area for injection of filling agents. Popular products for treating these lines are Hyaluronic fillers like JUVÉDERM® and Restylane®. Injection techniques have evolved for this region.
Once upon a time the goal was to treat the “line”. However, we now recognize that this area is really a substantial hollow and requires filling a triangular space to restore volume. Treating this area often provides a quick and satisfying lift to the face, and there is a high degree of satisfaction with treatment of the nasolabial area. What many individuals are not aware of is that filling agents can be particularly long lasting in this location, as opposed to when injected in more fleshy areas such as the lips. Results can persist for many months, and can remain for well over a year, especially when very thick fillers are used. Ever since Lidocaine, a numbing agent, was introduced into injection products like Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, increased comfort has also been reported with these injections. Another fact that is less well known by many patients is that synthetic products like hydroxyapatite, i.e. RADIESSE®, can also be used often with good success for nasolabial lines. At MCSC we have heavily favored the use of Hyaluronic to date because of their excellent safety profile. However, with Dr. Weinberg’s participation in the RADIESSE® trial, we will have more information on the use of RADIESSE® in the near future.
Finally, another fact that many patients do not consider in nasolabial treatment is that fat injections provide an excellent permanent option for patients with deep nasolabial hollows, who have tried hyaluronic and liked the look, but who now want a more definitive fix for their hollows. Fat injection is a more substantial procedure, requiring an initial liposuction to remove some fat, and then an injection with a cannula, a blunt ended hollow tube that is usually slightly larger than a regular needle. There may be a bit more downtime because of bruising and a touch-up procedure may be needed within a couple of months. Thereafter, the injected fat will remain indefinitely in its new location, giving a long lasting solution to the problem of prominent nasolabial lines.
If you think you may be interested in the treatment of nasolabial lines, contact us at (905) 273-3045 (Mississauga) or (416) 207-9090 (Toronto) to book a consultation with Dr. Weinberg or Dr. Schiffer.
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