Treatments to Remove Nasolabial Folds: Botox? Lifting? A Guide by Type

Hello.

This is Kim Ga-eul from Beauty's Doctors.

Nasolabial folds

are not all the same shape.

Even if they look similar at first glance,

in reality they are divided into completely different types

depending on the cause, shape, and skin condition.

That is why the treatment also

cannot be explained in just one way.

The question I hear most often in the clinic is,

"So I just need nasolabial filler, right?"

but the answer is not as simple as it seems.

For natural, long-lasting results,

we first need to accurately look at

why the fold formed in the first place.

Today, I will divide nasolabial fold removal treatments

into five types,

and explain the most suitable method for each one

in detail, one by one.

1. Crack type

– Thin, deeply etched nasolabial fold

Recommended treatment: Belotero Soft filler

It is a shape where a thin, deep line is etched in,

as if the paper has cracked.

It shows even without facial expressions,

and becomes more distinct when smiling.

This type commonly appears in people

with thin skin and low elasticity.

In such cases,

a soft-spreading filler like

Belotero Soft blends in naturally.

It has finer, thinner particles than regular fillers,

so it is especially effective for filling line-like, indented wrinkles.

Even after the procedure,

the expression remains natural,

and because it does not create excessive volume,

satisfaction tends to be high.

"People around me often told me that it didn’t look overly obvious,

but my face looked so much softer."

2. Indented type

– Nasolabial folds where fine wrinkles overlap in layers

Recommended treatment: Sculptra

It may not look deeply set on the surface,

but makeup tends to settle into it,

and the skin texture appears disrupted.

In this type,

the wrinkle is not a single line,

but a structure where multiple layers of fine wrinkles have accumulated.

So rather than simply filling it with filler,

it is much more effective to restore the skin’s own elasticity

and induce collagen to be produced again.

Sculptra is a representative treatment

that is well suited for this.

It is especially popular among people

who want a natural improvement.

"I was worried it would create too much volume,

but after a few weeks my skin felt like it was filling from within,

and I was really satisfied."

3. Fat type

– A shadow caused by cheek fat gathering rather than a hollow

Recommended treatment: Double Slim fat-dissolving injection

It may look as if the nasolabial area is sunken,

but in reality it is a type where cheek fat gathers

and creates a shadow.

In this case, it is not actually hollowing;

there is just too much volume.

So if you fill it with filler,

it can look even more unnatural,

and the face may appear larger.

At this point, a more natural approach is to first organize the volume

with the Double Slim fat-dissolving injection.

"I was worried after being recommended filler,

but once I reduced the fat, the folds looked less noticeable

and my face also looked slimmer, which I liked."

4. Elasticity type

– Nasolabial folds caused by overall facial sagging

Recommended treatment: Juvelook Skin Booster

The nasolabial line itself is not very deep,

but the overall elasticity of the face has declined,

so it looks like everything has collapsed.

In this type,

it is often not just the nasolabial fold alone,

but the cheeks, jawline, and area around the mouth

are all sagging together.

So simply filling the nasolabial area locally

does not solve the underlying issue.

In this case, a treatment that boosts skin elasticity

is more important than adding volume.

Juvelook Skin Booster

helps increase the density of the entire skin,

which naturally softens the nasolabial folds

and can make the overall impression look brighter.

"My skin became more hydrated and elastic,

so fine lines were less noticeable,

and makeup applied much better."

5. Aging type

– Nasolabial folds accompanied by skin thinning, volume loss, and sagging

Recommended treatment: Thermage FLX

This is the classic 'aging-type nasolabial fold.'

As skin thickness, volume, and muscular support weaken,

the nasolabial folds become deeper and broader.

This type is common in the mid-40s and older,

or when skin aging progresses quickly.

In these cases,

a device treatment that tightens firmly from within

is more effective.

Thermage FLX

uses radiofrequency to firm the dermis,

and because its tightening effect is excellent,

it is especially suitable for improving aging-type nasolabial folds.

"The sagging feeling was greatly reduced,

and the nasolabial folds improved a lot too,

so I was told I looked five years younger."

💡 Nasolabial fold types summarized

💎 Thin, deep linear type → Belotero Soft

💎 Fine-wrinkle layering → Sculptra

💎 Fat accumulation → Double Slim fat-dissolving

💎 Overall loss of elasticity → Juvelook Skin Booster

💎 Aging and sagging → Thermage FLX

Q&A

Q. Are nasolabial fold removal treatments always solved with filler?

No.

Depending on whether the cause is fat, sagging,

or skin elasticity,

there are many cases where treatments other than filler

are more natural.

Q. How long do the effects of nasolabial fold removal treatments last?

💡 Filler: 6 months to 1 year

💡 Sculptra: 1 to 2 years

💡 Skin booster / fat-dissolving: varies by individual

💡 Thermage: about 1 year

The maintenance period can vary

depending on skin condition and age.

Q. How long is the recovery period?

A. In most cases, you can return to daily life right away.

Filler, skin booster, and fat-dissolving injections

have almost no downtime,

and Thermage usually only causes slight redness

for a short while.

Q. Can people in their 20s get nasolabial fold removal treatments?

A. Yes.

If the skin is thin or the cheeks are full,

nasolabial folds can also appear in the late 20s.

If managed lightly at an early stage,

a much more natural improvement is possible.

Q. I’m worried the results will look obvious. Can they be natural?

A. For the nasolabial area, the key is technique:

using a small amount,

placed thinly and at the correct depth.

If it is not overfilled,

it can be improved naturally.

Q. Can I see the effect right after the procedure?

A. Fillers show immediate changes,

while Sculptra, Juvelook, and Thermage

gradually improve over several weeks.

You can design both quick changes

and long-term improvement together.

Nasolabial folds are

not just something to "fill in."

The most important thing is to accurately see

why they appeared in the first place.

Only by choosing according to the type

can you get natural, long-lasting results.

That is why an accurate diagnosis and consultation before treatment

are more important than anything else.

Please identify exactly what type your nasolabial folds are,

and choose the treatment that matches them.

Thank you for reading.

This has been Kim Ga-eul from Beauty's Doctors.