Men's Nasolabial Folds: Why Do They Crease Deeply and Thickly? From Causes to Treatment

If you see a distinct line running from the side of your nose down to the corners of your mouth even when you stand in front of the mirror with a expressionless face, that is the nasolabial fold. Medically, it is called the **nasolabial fold (鼻脣溝)**, which is an '八'-shaped fold extending from the side of the nose toward the corners of the mouth. In fact, the nasolabial fold itself is not a disease. It is a normal anatomical structure that everyone has. The problem is that this line becomes progressively deeper as we age.

For men, there is a particularly noteworthy point. Men's skin is about 20 to 25% thicker than women's and secretes more sebum, so fine wrinkles tend to appear later. However, once nasolabial folds set in, they tend to appear thicker and deeper than in women. This is why you might think "I'm still fine" and then suddenly notice them distinctly at some point.

🔍 What Exactly is a Nasolabial Fold and Why Does It Form?

Anatomically speaking, the nasolabial fold is a structural fold that forms at the boundary where facial expression muscles, such as the zygomaticus major and minor, meet the buccal fat pad. It is divided into dynamic wrinkles, which are visible only when making facial expressions, and static wrinkles, which remain even with a blank expression. Moving to the latter is a sign that aging has progressed to some extent.

There is no single cause. Usually, several factors overlap.

• Decrease in Collagen and Elastin: These are key proteins that support skin elasticity, and various studies cite that collagen decreases by about 1% every year after adulthood.

• Decrease in Mid-face Volume: The mid-face fat pad that used to fill the area under the cheekbones sags downward and shrinks, deepening the groove.

• Cheek Sagging: Cheek fat pushed down by gravity overlaps on top of the nasolabial fold line.

• Bone Resorption: As we age, facial bones such as the maxilla are also gradually resorbed (bone resorption), weakening support.

The difference in male and female hormones also plays a role. While women experience rapid aging due to a sudden drop in estrogen during menopause, men experience a gradual but steady decline in testosterone. This means it is easy to let your guard down because it is not urgent.

📌 Key Summary: Nasolabial folds are a normal structure at the boundary of facial expression muscles and the buccal fat pad, but they deepen due to a combination of collagen reduction, volume loss, sagging, and bone resorption.

🧭 Is My Nasolabial Fold 'Sunken' or 'Sagging'?

Before starting care, there is something you must check. It is distinguishing whether your nasolabial folds are caused by a loss of volume or by sagging skin. This is because the approach changes completely depending on the cause.

There is a simple way to check. Look in the mirror and gently push your cheek fat upward with your fingers. If the nasolabial folds are noticeably smoothed out at this time, it is closer to the sagging type. Conversely, if the groove remains even when pushed up, it is highly likely to be the volume-loss type.

Why is this distinction important? If you blindly fill only the nasolabial fold line when volume loss is the cause, it can actually look unnatural. To smooth it out naturally, you must restore the sunken volume above the line, not the line itself. For reference, marionette lines (wrinkles running from the corners of the mouth down to the chin) that extend below the nasolabial folds often appear together, so the overall facial balance must be considered.

📌 Key Summary: If it smooths out when pushing the cheek fat up, it is the sagging type; if it remains, it is the volume-loss type. An approach tailored to the cause creates a natural result.

☀️ Prevention Habits You Can Start Today

Before talking about procedures, let's cover the most certain things that don't cost money.

Applying sunscreen daily is the most basic and cost-effective habit for preventing nasolabial folds. Photoaging is the main culprit that destroys collagen. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB, and SPF 50 blocks about 98%. I want to emphasize this more because it is an area that men tend to neglect particularly easily.

Next is smoking cessation. Smoking impairs microcirculation and increases oxidative stress, accelerating collagen breakdown. It is a factor that definitely accelerates nasolabial folds.

In skincare, retinoids and retinol are evidence-based ingredients. They help produce collagen, but the effect is usually seen only after consistent use for at least 3 to 6 months. Do not be impatient. For reference, regarding facial exercises, a study is cited showing that participants who consistently did facial muscle exercises for 20 weeks looked an average of 3 years younger. However, the effect of reversing already deepened static wrinkles is considered limited.

📌 Key Summary: Daily sunscreen use, quitting smoking, and consistent retinol. Eighty percent of prevention is determined by lifestyle habits.

💉 How to Improve Nasolabial Folds? The Story of Onballossom

It is difficult to erase already established nasolabial folds with lifestyle habits alone. At this point, the direction recommended by Gangnam Onlif Clinic is clear. It is an approach that addresses the cause with non-surgical, skin-oriented treatments. Onlif's philosophy is "Because you are precious, we do not change you." Rather than changing the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth, we focus on restoring the natural texture that aging has hidden.

The representative method is Onlif's signature **Onballossom (ONballossom)**. You can understand it as a calcium collagen booster exclusively for nasolabial folds.

How Onballossom Differs from Existing Fillers

Conventional hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers physically 'fill' the sunken area. It is immediate, but volume replacement is all there is to it. On the other hand, Onballossom immediately replenishes volume with biocompatible calcium mineral (CaHA) particles, while simultaneously decomposing gradually to stimulate fibroblasts and induce self-collagen production. It fills and restores at the same time.

Thanks to the patented Lattice-pore structure, the central core supports volume for a long time, and the outer layer is absorbed layer by layer to generate collagen. Therefore, it firmly supports the sunken area, and over time, a flow of skin texture filling up from the inside appears.

Great for People Like This

• Those whose nasolabial folds remain clearly visible even when not smiling

• Those who look older than their actual age due to nasolabial folds

• Those who want to improve both volume and skin elasticity

• Those who want natural and long-lasting changes

The procedure is performed in the order of consultation, design, anesthetic cream application, injection and correction, and final check, and generally takes around 10 to 15 minutes. Because it contains lidocaine, the pain burden is low, and most can return to daily life immediately after the procedure. However, mild bruising or swelling may occur, so it is recommended to reduce irritation to the treated area for about a week.

For men, an understated design is more important than excessive volume. Since male skin is thick and the facial skeleton is distinct, if the filled amount is excessive, it actually becomes awkward. This is why Onlif divides responsibilities by field using a system of doctors with special skills, in order to handle these delicate differences in texture.

📌 Key Summary: Onballossom is a calcium collagen booster that immediately fills sunken volume and induces self-collagen regeneration, restoring texture from the inside out.

📋 Things to Know Before the Procedure

No procedure is a cure-all. Results vary depending on the individual's skin condition, depth and type of nasolabial folds, and temporary reactions such as swelling and bruising may occur. Therefore, accurate diagnosis comes before anything else.

Depending on the degree of sagging and depth, Onballossom is sometimes linked with thread lifting or existing fillers to increase completeness. However, this judgment must be made by directly looking at the overall facial structure, so checking what combination is right during consultation is most accurate. Even if you have a history of prior filler procedures, Onballossom can be performed depending on the condition, but the plan may change.

📌 Key Summary: Variations in results exist, and plans change depending on type, depth, and procedure history, so face-to-face diagnosis takes priority.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

From what age do male nasolabial folds start to form?

There are significant individual differences, but usually, static wrinkles begin to stand out from the mid-to-late 30s. Since men experience a gradual decline in testosterone, aging is slow, but once they form, they tend to appear thick and deep.

How do I tell if my nasolabial folds are caused by volume loss or sagging?

Look in the mirror and push your cheek fat upward with your fingers. If the wrinkles are noticeably smoothed out, it is close to the sagging type; if the groove remains even when pushed, it is closer to the volume-loss type. Accurate determination is confirmed by looking at the entire face during consultation.

From when does the effect of Onballossom start, and how long does it last?

Volume improvement can be confirmed immediately after the procedure, and thereafter, self-collagen is continuously generated, lasting on average for 6 months to over 1 year. There are differences depending on individual skin conditions.

What is the difference between Onballossom and general fillers?

While general HA fillers physically fill only volume, Onballossom immediately replenishes volume with calcium mineral particles and simultaneously decomposes gradually to induce self-collagen production. The key difference is that it fills and regenerates texture together.

Can't I just fill the nasolabial fold line itself?

If the cause is volume loss, you must restore the sunken area above the line to smooth it out naturally. If you forcefully fill only the line, it can actually look unnatural, so an approach tailored to the cause is important.

Does smoking really affect nasolabial folds?

Yes. Smoking impairs microcirculation and increases oxidative stress, accelerating collagen breakdown. Since it is a representative factor that accelerates nasolabial folds, quitting smoking is effective for prevention.

Is daily life possible immediately after the procedure?

Most people can return to daily life immediately after the procedure. However, since mild bruising or swelling may occur, it is recommended to reduce unnecessary irritation to the treated area for about a week.

Nasolabial folds are a natural sign of aging, but if you know the direction and manage them, your impression can change sufficiently. However, an approach suitable for your face is difficult to judge by photos or text. We recommend checking the exact diagnosis through a face-to-face consultation. Gangnam Onlif Clinic finds the direction to restore your natural texture with evidence-based aesthetics.