How to eliminate nasolabial folds and marionette lines?

Dermal filler is an effective method when volume loss is the main cause, but it is not the answer for all wrinkles around the mouth. Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler works by replenishing volume in sunken areas to smoothly fill the groove and support surrounding tissue, and immediate improvement can be expected for volume-loss-type nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

However, if sagging is the main cause and the groove is overfilled with filler, the result may look unnatural or the face may appear heavy. In such cases, you may consider supporting the volume with upper (cheekbone) support points, or using Sculptra or RADIESSE® to stimulate your own collagen production and replenish volume.

If the wrinkle is narrow and deep, it is a depression caused by reduced skin elasticity in that area, and in this case JUVGEN is the most suitable option.

Also, if sagging tissue above the nasolabial fold is the main cause, first organizing the sagging tissue with lifting leads to a more natural result.

When sagging skin and descended tissue are the main causes of wrinkles, it is advantageous to consider lifting first. If you only fill volume when sagging is severe, the added weight can actually emphasize the sagging. Therefore, it is more natural to first lift elasticity to organize the tissue over the bone structure, and then fill any remaining volume loss.

Lifting uses thermal energy to stimulate the dermis and deeper layers, inducing collagen regeneration. Depending on the condition, ultrasound-based Ultherapy PRIME®, Soprano Titanium, and others are used, targeting deeper layers than the skin surface to help improve elasticity. The effect typically appears gradually over several weeks to months as collagen is remodeled, rather than immediately after the procedure.

The appropriate device and combination vary depending on the degree of sagging, skin thickness, and age group, so whether to perform lifting first is determined by assessing the proportion of sagging and volume together.

Injectable treatments that induce collagen production can help improve wrinkles around the mouth by increasing the skin's own support. Unlike fillers that provide immediate filling, collagen-inducing methods work by stimulating the dermal environment, leading to an increase in autologous collagen over time.

Sculptra and RADIESSE® are used as collagen-stimulating agents that target both volume and elasticity. These methods are advantageous for shallow, broad volume loss or improving skin texture and elasticity. Collagen-inducing treatments have the characteristic of gradually accumulating effects over multiple sessions, so it is important to design the number of sessions and intervals according to the skin condition.

JUVGEN is a treatment that combines CO₂ and hyaluronic acid to induce autologous collagen production, and it shows excellent results particularly for narrow, deep wrinkles.

To naturally improve wrinkles around the mouth, the key is to balance volume, lifting, and collagen according to the cause, rather than relying on a single procedure. A multi-layered approach—organizing sagging with lifting, filling only the necessary amount of volume without excess, and supporting the skin's own elasticity with collagen induction—produces results that do not look obvious.

Also, it is important to consider the overall harmony of the face. Overcorrecting only the nasolabial fold and marionette line locally can look unnatural, so a design that includes the cheekbones, cheeks, and jawline is necessary. Adding lifestyle management such as sun protection, moisturizing, and smoking cessation can help slow the rate of collagen damage.

The degree of improvement and duration vary by individual, so we recommend establishing a customized plan that considers facial balance through a consultation with a dermatologist.