Among the earliest signs of facial aging, the nasolabial folds occupy a particular place. Visible as early as the thirties in some patients, they gradually become deeper and more pronounced with age, giving the face an often tired or severe appearance. To correct these folds and restore harmony to the lower face, injections of hyaluronic acid are now the reference solution, both effective, safe, and adjustable.
But what are, from a strictly medical and aesthetic point of view, the benefits of hyaluronic acid when it is used to treat nasolabial folds ? What are its specific properties ? Why has this product become essential in the management of this indication ? The objective of this article is to provide an answer to these questions, drawing on data from the literature, clinical experience, and the physiological foundations of facial aging.
Hyaluronic acid is a molecule naturally present in the extracellular matrix of the dermis. Composed of a polymer of disaccharides, it has an exceptional ability to retain water, up to one thousand times its weight, making it a key player in skin hydration, tissue suppleness, and dermal firmness.
Injected in the form of a cross-linked gel, hyaluronic acid acts not only as a volumizer, but also as a support and skin stimulation agent. It integrates harmoniously into the tissues, respects facial dynamics, and adapts to the treated area. For nasolabial folds, whose depth results from a dual mechanism (vertical laxity and loss of support), it offers a tailored morphological response.
Hyaluronic acid is particularly effective in the treatment of nasolabial folds thanks to its ability to restore lost volumes. Injected deeply, it restores fullness to the cheekbone area, supports lax tissues, and mechanically reduces the depth of the fold.
This three-dimensional approach makes it possible to rebalance the volumes of the middle and lower thirds of the face, offering a more harmonious and naturally rested appearance. Unlike treatments that act only on the surface, hyaluronic acid directly targets the cause of the fold by filling the space left by fat loss and the laxity of supporting structures.
One of the specific advantages of hyaluronic acid is its perfect malleability, which allows the physician to precisely adjust the injected volumes according to the patient’s anatomy, the mobility of the area, the quality of the skin, and the desired result. This personalization of the procedure makes it possible to achieve a visible yet subtle effect, respecting the identity of the face.
In addition, hyaluronic acid is a biodegradable and reversible product. . This characteristic provides unmatched therapeutic flexibility and reassures patients who fear permanent effects.
Finally, the latest-generation gels, such as those with Vycross®, RHA®, or OBT® technology, offer remarkable tissue integration, with little migration, homogeneous integration, and excellent long-term tolerance.
Beyond the strictly volumizing effect, hyaluronic acid injected into the nasolabial folds provides a secondary benefit on skin quality. Several studies have shown that its injection indirectly stimulates type I collagen synthesis, improves local vascularization, and reactivates fibroblast activity.
These effects result in skin that is more supple, denser, better hydrated, and a progressive reduction of small dermal creases that visually accentuate the nasolabial fold. This benefit is particularly notable in patients who have thin, lax skin or skin altered by photoaging.
Thus, the treatment is not limited to filling a hollow : it revitalizes the injected area, improves the skin, and helps prevent, to a certain extent, the worsening of the fold.
Another significant benefit is the fact that the correction of nasolabial folds with hyaluronic acid is an outpatient procedure, quick, minimally painful, and with no social downtime. Performed in a medical office, the injection takes a few minutes.
Resuming activities is immediate. Side effects, when they occur, are transient : mild edema, localized bruising, a feeling of tightness. In most cases, they disappear within 48 to 72 hours.
This ease of access largely explains the success of the method, highly appreciated by active patients who wish to improve their appearance without resorting to invasive procedures or surgery.
The treatment of nasolabial folds with hyaluronic acid is part of a global vision of facial rejuvenation. It is not simply about erasing a fold, but about restoring the balance between volumes, curves, and points of light of the face. When properly performed, this treatment can be combined with other complementary interventions : restoration of cheekbone volume, treatment of dark circles, marionette lines, or redefinition of the facial oval.
The physician must therefore have a coherent morphological vision, and avoid any isolated correction that could create an imbalance. Hyaluronic acid, in this perspective, becomes a tool to harmonize the face, and not a simple anti-wrinkle solution.
A often overlooked advantage of hyaluronic acid is the durability of its results. When it is injected with precision into the nasolabial folds, a suitable product can maintain its effectiveness between nine and fifteen months. This duration depends on the patient’s metabolism, the type of gel used, and the characteristics of the surrounding tissue.
To maintain facial harmony, regular maintenance, generally once or twice a year, is recommended. Each session is an opportunity to adjust the treatment according to the evolution of the features, the patient’s expectations, and clinical observations. This progressive and tailored approach makes it possible to accompany aging gently, while respecting the identity and uniqueness of each face.
Beyond purely morphological benefits, one should not overlook the positive psychological impact provided by the correction of the nasolabial fold. This fold, when it becomes very pronounced, can betray an emotion that is not actually felt (sadness, fatigue, harshness), and create a discrepancy between the perceived identity and the image reflected.
By reducing this dissonance, hyaluronic acid allows the patient to regain coherence between their appearance and their inner feeling, which has a direct effect on self-confidence and social image. These benefits are often spontaneously expressed by patients and are an integral part of the success of the treatment.
Hyaluronic acid is not only a corrective treatment, it can also play a preventive role in the appearance of the nasolabial fold. Injected discreetly from the first signs of hollowing, it helps maintain hydration and tissue support, slow the weakening of supporting fibers, and prevent the progressive breakdown of the deep dermis.
This preventive approach, sometimes referred to as “maintenance medicine”, is particularly intended for younger patients, generally between 30 and 40 years old, when the skin begins to lose firmness. It provides a subtle but progressive anti-aging effect, which accumulates over time to preserve the freshness and balance of the face.
Article written by Dr Romano Valeria
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