Nasolabial Fold Treatment Cape Coral

We all have smile lines or laugh lines. They add character to our facial features. The medical term for these lines is nasolabial folds, referring to the two skin folds that extend from the nose to the corners of the mouth. The appearance of these lines is common with aging, just as other facial lines and wrinkles are. Some patients would like less pronounced laugh lines, so take comfort in knowing that nasolabial fold treatment in Cape Coral is available at Elmquist Eye Group.

Nasolabial Fold Treatment Cape CoralYour face is dynamic. Every day, you use the facial muscles to make movements like smiling, frowning, laughing and talking. These dynamic movements cause wrinkles and folds to appear in areas of the face that move repeatedly, like the areas around your mouth.

What are dermal fillers?

Elmquist’s own Dr. Yasaira Rodriguez, a medical doctor and comprehensive ophthalmologist, specializes in these procedures. She uses hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to soften and lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic filler brand names that you may have heard about include Restylane and Juvéderm, among others.

Because hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in the body, these fillers are injected under the skin to simply add more fullness. As we age, the skin loses these important components over time, so Dr. Rodriguez is simply replacing what you may have lost.

In addition to adding plumpness, hyaluronic acid also stimulates the body’s production of collagen, the major component of the skin and other connective tissues. Collagen is the actually the body’s most abundant protein and it helps the skin in multiple ways:

  • provides structure
  • improves elasticity
  • increases moisture
  • reduces wrinkles and lines

As we age, we lose collagen, so these fillers help counteract that. Dr. Rodriguez definitely prefers the hyaluronic acid fillers as the best option for treating nasolabial folds. She will examine your face to determine the severity of the folds and the outcome you are trying to achieve and then determine the amount of filler needed for treatment. While the exact amount depends on the severity and the type of filler she is using, typically a 1 ml syringe of filler is needed at a minimum for each fold.

These fillers are resilient and adapt to your facial movements, avoiding the “stiff” or “frozen” look and instead achieving a more natural look.

How long do these fillers last?

Dr. Rodriguez commonly gets two questions. (1) How long before the fillers take effect? And (2) How long do they last?

Immediately after the injection, you will see a change in the volume of the nasolabial fold. You may have slight swelling or bruising, but this usually disappears in a few days so you don’t have to wait long to see your new look. The filler then settles over a period of several weeks, so you will see continual improvement after the injection. Your ideal look will appear after the filler has fully settled. If you are not happy, you can definitely schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Rodriguez to have a touch up.

Dermal fillers last six months to two years. It is important to understand that because hyaluronic acid is naturally-occurring in the body, HA-based fillers will be broken down by the body over time. The length of time these fillers last depend on a variety of factors including filler type and amount used. Typically when a filler is used in a facial area with lots of movement, like the nasolabial folds, the filler does break down more quickly.

Hopefully this short article has answered some of your questions and peaked your interest in nasolabial fold treatment in Cape Coral. These amazing treatments are available at Elmquist Eye Group and Dr. Rodriguez is ready for you to schedule with her today.