Nasolabial Folds and Smile Lines
Soften the lines from your nose to your mouth corners with structural cheek work, dermal filler, and biostimulators. Often the cheek is the right answer, not the fold itself.
Causes and Treatment
Nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the corners of your nose to the corners of your mouth) deepen with age. The cause isn't the line itself but the loss of volume above it. The cheek thins, drops, and creates a fold that didn't exist when the malar fat pad was higher and fuller.
This is why direct filler in the nasolabial fold is rarely the right first move. Filling the fold without addressing the cheek often creates a strange-looking puffiness right next to the nose without solving the actual sag. Better's approach is structural: we treat the cheek first, see how much of the fold resolves on its own, and only directly fill the fold if needed.
For some patients, especially those with deep static lines, direct filler in the nasolabial does become part of the plan. We use it conservatively and combine it with a small amount of Botox in the depressor muscle to take pressure off the fold.
Better Med Spa's Recommended Treatments
Better treats nasolabial folds with four tools, almost always layered. Your consultation grades how much is cheek-driven vs locally driven.
Sculptra (Cheek Restoration)
Restores cheek volume gradually over 3 to 6 months. Often resolves nasolabial folds indirectly by lifting the cheek that creates the fold. The right starting point for most patients.
RHA Filler (Nasolabial)
Hyaluronic acid filler placed directly in the fold for immediate softening. Reversible (HA is dissolvable). Used selectively when the fold is deep and static.
Cheek Filler
HA filler placed at the cheekbone for immediate cheek lift. The faster alternative to Sculptra when patients want results before an event.
DAO Smile Lift
Small dose of Botox in the depressor anguli oris (DAO) muscle that pulls the mouth corners down. Lifts the corners and indirectly takes pressure off the nasolabial fold.
Don't fill the fold first. Better's protocol is to evaluate the cheek before considering direct nasolabial filler. Many patients see significant fold improvement just from cheek restoration. We will tell you honestly which approach fits your face.
How to Choose Between Them
Match the treatment to the cause.
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Cheek-driven folds | Sculptra cheek restoration |
| Deep static fold | RHA filler placed conservatively |
| Pre-event, immediate results | Cheek Filler + RHA touch-up |
| Downturned mouth corners | DAO Smile Lift + cheek work |
| Comprehensive midface plan | Sculptra Liquid BBL Filler |
| Conservative first pass | Half syringe RHA, see how it settles |
The biggest mistake we correct in patients arriving from other practices is overfilled nasolabial folds. Filling the fold without lifting the cheek creates a heavy, lumpy look right next to the nose that becomes more obvious over time. We can dissolve HA filler if needed, then start the structural approach.
Realistic timeline: Sculptra results take 3 to 6 months as collagen builds. RHA filler is immediate. Plan for a 4 to 6 month treatment arc to fully evaluate results. Maintenance every 12 to 24 months.
What to Expect at Better Med Spa
Nasolabial consultations at Better start with a structural face assessment. We evaluate the cheek, the depth and static nature of the folds, and the relationship between the two. We grade severity and recommend a phased plan that addresses the cause first.
Sculptra injections take 20 to 30 minutes per session. RHA filler injections take 15 to 20 minutes. We use topical numbing and most fillers contain lidocaine. Expect mild swelling and possible bruising for 3 to 7 days.
Dr. Brechner supervises all midface protocols. Our injectors are trained in structural, cause-first approaches that prioritize natural results over over-filling.
Ready to talk to one of our providers?
A 30-minute consultation grades your fold-versus-cheek balance and recommends the right plan.
Before and After
See real Better Med Spa patient results in our gallery. Individual results vary based on starting point, dosage, and skin quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I get filler in my nasolabial folds directly?
Sometimes, but rarely as the first treatment. Most patients have cheek-driven folds, where lifting the cheek resolves the fold without ever touching the line directly. We evaluate cause first.
How long does treatment last?
Sculptra: up to 2 years. RHA Filler: 12 to 18 months. DAO Smile Lift: 3 to 4 months. Maintenance prevents complete loss between treatments.
Can the filler be reversed if I don't like it?
HA filler (RHA, Cheek Filler) can be dissolved with hyaluronidase. Sculptra cannot be reversed because it stimulates your own collagen, but it gradually fades over 18 to 24 months on its own.
Most patients describe the injections as a series of small pinches. We use the smallest needles available and can apply topical numbing cream on request. The whole appointment is typically under 30 minutes including the consultation.
Will treatment look natural?
When done correctly, yes. Better's protocol prioritizes structural restoration over fold-filling, which produces results that look like the patient when they were younger, not like a different face.
How much does nasolabial treatment cost in Chicago?
Sculptra is priced per vial; cheek restoration uses 2 to 3 vials. RHA Filler is priced per syringe. DAO Smile Lift is priced per Botox treatment. See our Specials.
Related Reading
Where We Serve
Better Med Spa is located in Lincoln Park and serves patients across Chicago, including Old Town, Lakeview, Bucktown, Gold Coast, DePaul, West Loop, and River North.
Ready to soften smile lines without overfilling?
Schedule a consultation and we will build a plan that fits you, your timeline, and your budget.