If Makeup and Massage Can’t Get Rid of Nasolabial Folds

[BongBong Plastic Surgery]

Nasolabial folds, even if makeup and massage can’t improve them

As you get older, there are moments when you look in the mirror and start to feel that your face is no longer the same as before. In the past, putting on makeup would make your face look bright and lively, but now, no matter how carefully you apply your base makeup, you may still look tired. Even if you add shading with contouring, there are areas where the shadow does not seem to go away, and one of the most representative of those areas is the fold beside the nose known as the “nasolabial fold.”

Nasolabial folds are deep wrinkles that run from the corners of the mouth to the sides of the nose. They are not only a symbol of aging, but also a major factor that makes facial expressions appear heavier and gives the impression of looking older than you really are. That is why many people try to reduce nasolabial folds by buying expensive anti-aging creams, trying various home care massages or taping methods, and even brightening and covering the area with makeup, but in many cases none of these methods provide a fundamental improvement.

The fundamental reason nasolabial folds form is not simply because the skin surface loses elasticity. Rather, it comes from a decrease in the facial structural volume in the deeper layer—the fat layer and the structures that support the skin—or from those areas sagging downward, which allows the wrinkle to settle into a fixed shape. In other words, nasolabial folds are not caused only by dry skin or facial habits; as time passes, the soft tissue in the midface gradually shifts downward in the direction of gravity, causing both hollowing and sagging, and this creates a deep groove beside the nose.

Therefore, there is a fundamental limit to trying to solve this problem with massage alone or by temporarily hiding it with makeup, and caution is needed because forcefully pulling the skin or repeatedly stimulating it may instead accelerate the loss of elasticity.

In particular, massage may help temporarily improve circulation, but it is far from enough to remove the contour of an already established deep nasolabial fold. No matter how well makeup is applied, foundation can settle into the lines of the wrinkle or make its shape stand out even more. For this reason, many people at this point begin to consider a more active plastic surgery approach.

Of course, thinking about surgical methods from the beginning can feel burdensome. However, these days there are many customized improvement methods ranging from various non-surgical procedures to surgical lifting for nasolabial folds, taking into comprehensive consideration each person’s wrinkle condition, skin elasticity, and skeletal structure. Above all, the results go beyond simple coverage and can actually change the face’s impression to look younger and more lively, which is why they lead to high satisfaction.

For those who feel that surgical methods are a bit too burdensome, procedures using various energy-based devices such as radiofrequency, HIFU, and laser lifting can also be alternatives, and appropriate selection is still necessary depending on each person’s skin condition.

The important point is that nasolabial folds are not simply marks left by aging. Some people worry about deep nasolabial folds in their early 30s, while others may have folds that are barely noticeable even in their 50s. Since this is the result of multiple factors such as genetics, face shape, facial habits, skin elasticity, weight changes, and skeletal structure rather than age alone, they cannot all be improved in the same way.

Therefore, finding the method that is right for you through an accurate diagnosis and analysis of the cause is most important. Rather than choosing based on advertisements or reviews, setting a treatment direction that considers both realistic expectations and safety through a one-on-one consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has extensive experience and skill is the first step toward a satisfying result.

Nasolabial folds are not merely superficial wrinkles; they are a complex issue arising from changes in the central facial structure and loss of volume. Rather than repeatedly trying forceful makeup techniques or self-massage to get rid of them in a short period of time, it can be a far more effective and satisfying choice in the long term to improve them more clearly and naturally through an approach suited to your skin and facial structure.