Cosmetic surgeons use the medical term nasolabial folds to refer to lines running from the nostrils down to the corners of the mouth in a vertical or curved line. In extreme cases, they can extend down to the chin or connect to the corners of the mouth with the mentolabial folds. Depending on the depth and extent, our specialists at the Klinik am Rhein treat nasolabial folds exclusively with hyaluronic acid.
The natural ageing process is the main cause of nasolabial folds. Over the years, the skin and connective tissue in the upper cheek area droop. People who lose a lot of weight within a short amount of time are particularly susceptible to nasolabial folds. Smoking and regular consumption of alcohol as well as frequent exposure to the sun also contribute to the formation of these lines.
The glycosaminoglycan hyaluronic acid has the ability to bind large quantities of water. For example, in the vitreous body of the human eye, this happens at a ratio of 1:49. If the surgeon injects the active ingredient into the bottom of the nasolabial folds, more water is stored in the connective tissue. This causes the volume already present in that area to increase. The bottom of the wrinkle gradually rises. The slow increase in volume ensures that the change after treatment of nasolabial folds with hyaluronic acid looks natural.
After the hyaluronic acid has been injected into the connective tissue, redness caused by the injections can appear occasionally on the skin. It usually disappears by itself within a few hours. Some patients feel slight pressure after the wrinkle treatment. This is a good sign that the water is being stored in the connective tissue at the bottom of the wrinkle. There are no other expected side effects of the treatment as the human metabolism produces hyaluronic acid and stores it in various parts of the body. Hyaluronic acid is not only found in the eye but also in the gelatinous core of the intervertebral discs as well as in synovial fluid, where it lubricates the joints to prevent premature wear of the cartilage.
Permanent results can only be achieved if the nasolabial folds are treated regularly, as hyaluronic acid is broken down by the metabolism. When the effect subsides depends on the individual’s metabolism. For most patients, the results of injecting hyaluronic acid into the wrinkles usually last for six to eighteen months. The cosmetic surgeons can perform follow-up treatments when the first signs of new nasolabial folds appear. The dose for this treatment requires careful consideration. Therefore, only specialists with many years of experience should perform the follow-up treatments.
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