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

If you are standing in front of the mirror with a expressionless face, but the lines coming down from the sides of your nose to the corners of your mouth are clearly visible, those are nasolabial folds. Medically referred to as **nasolabial folds (鼻脣溝)**, they are '八'-shaped folds that run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth. In fact, nasolabial folds themselves are not a disease. They are a normal anatomical structure that everyone has. The problem is that these lines gradually deepen as we age.

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

🔍 What Exactly Are Nasolabial Folds and Why Do They Form?

Anatomically speaking, nasolabial folds are structural folds that form at the boundary where expression muscles, such as the zygomaticus major and minor, meet the buccal fat pad. They are divided into dynamic wrinkles, which are visible only when making facial expressions, and static wrinkles, which remain even when expressionless. Transitioning 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 the core proteins that support skin elasticity, and many studies cite that collagen decreases by about 1% every year after adulthood.

• Loss of Mid-Face Volume: The mid-face fat pad that used to fill the area under the cheekbones sags and decreases, 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 absorbed (bone resorption), weakening their support.

Hormonal differences between men and women also play a role. While women experience rapid aging due to a sharp 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 expression muscles and the cheek fat pad, but they deepen due to overlapping collagen reduction, loss of volume, sagging, and bone resorption.

🧭 Are My Nasolabial Folds 'Hollowness' or 'Sagging'?

Before starting management, there is something you must verify. It is to distinguish whether your nasolabial folds are caused by a loss of volume (hollowness) or by sagging skin. This is because the approach changes completely depending on the cause.

There is an easy 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, it is close to the sagging type. On the other hand, if the groove remains even when pushed up, it is highly likely to be the volume loss (hollowness) type.

Why is this distinction important? If volume loss is the cause but you blindly fill only the nasolabial fold line, it can actually look unnatural. The hollowed volume above the line, rather than the line itself, must be restored to smooth it out naturally. For reference, marionette lines (wrinkles running from the corners of the mouth to the chin) that continue below the nasolabial folds often appear together, so the overall balance of the face must be considered.

📌 Key Summary: If pushing up the cheek fat smooths them out, it's the sagging type; if it remains the same, it's the volume loss type. An approach tailored to the cause creates natural results.

☀️ Preventive Habits You Can Start Today

Before talking about procedures, let's point out the most effective things you can do without spending 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 further because it is an area that men tend to neglect easily.

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

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

📌 Key Summary: Daily use of sunscreen, 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 a non-surgical approach that restores the cause from a skin perspective. Onlif's philosophy is "Because you are precious, we do not change you." Rather than changing the shape of the eyes, nose, or mouth, the focus is on restoring the natural texture that aging has obscured.

A representative method is Onlif's signature **ONballossom (ON볼라썸)**. You can understand it as a calcium collagen booster dedicated to nasolabial folds.

How ONballossom Differs from Conventional Fillers

Conventional hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers work by physically 'filling' the hollow area. It is immediate, but it is purely volume replenishment. On the other hand, ONballossom immediately replenishes volume with bio-friendly calcium mineral (CaHA) particles, while simultaneously decomposing gradually to stimulate fibroblasts and induce self-collagen production. It does both filling and restoring together.

Thanks to the patented Lattice-pore structure, the central core supports the volume for a long time, while the outer layer is absorbed layer by layer to produce collagen. As a result, it reliably supports the hollow area, and over time, a flow where the skin texture fills up from the inside appears.

This is a good fit for

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

• Those who look older than their actual age because of nasolabial folds

• Those who want to improve both volume and skin elasticity

• Those who want natural and long-lasting changes

The procedure is carried out in the order of consultation and design, application of numbing cream, injection and correction, and final check, taking about 10 to 15 minutes overall. It contains lidocaine, so the burden of pain is relatively 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, in particular, a restrained design is more important than excessive volume. Since male skin is thick and facial bony structures are distinct, if the amount filled is excessive, it actually becomes awkward. This is also the reason why Onlif assigns doctors to specialize in each field under a specialized medical system to handle these delicate differences in texture.

📌 Key Summary: ONballossom is a calcium collagen booster that immediately fills hollow volume while inducing self-collagen regeneration to restore the texture from within.

📋 Things to Know Before the Procedure

No procedure is a cure-all. Results may vary depending on individual skin conditions, the depth and type of nasolabial folds, and temporary reactions such as swelling and bruising may occur. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis comes first and foremost.

Depending on the degree of sagging and depth, ONballossom may be linked with thread lifting or conventional fillers to enhance completeness. However, this judgment is a matter of looking at the overall facial structure in person, so it is accurate to check which combination is right during a consultation. Even if you have a history of previous filler procedures, ONballossom can be performed depending on the condition, but the plan may change.

📌 Key Summary: Differences in results exist, and because plans vary according to type, depth, and history of procedures, an in-person diagnosis is the priority.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

At what age do men's nasolabial folds start to form?

There are significant individual differences, but static wrinkles usually start to become noticeable 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 due to 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 closer to the sagging type; if the groove remains even when pushed, it is closer to the volume loss type. Accurate determination is made by looking at the entire face during a consultation.

When does the effect of ONballossom start, and how long does it last?

Volume improvement can be checked immediately after the procedure, and after that, self-collagen is continuously generated, maintaining the effect for an average of 6 months to over 1 year. There are differences depending on individual skin conditions.

What is the difference between ONballossom and conventional fillers?

While conventional HA fillers physically fill only the volume, ONballossom immediately replenishes volume with calcium mineral particles, while simultaneously decomposing gradually to induce self-collagen production. The key difference is that it performs both filling and texture regeneration.

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

If the cause is volume loss, the hollowed area above the line must be restored to smooth it out naturally. If you unreasonably 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 microvascular blood flow and increases oxidative stress, promoting collagen breakdown. Since it is a representative factor that accelerates nasolabial folds, quitting smoking is effective for prevention.

Is it possible to return to daily life immediately after the procedure?

Most can return to daily life immediately after the procedure. However, mild bruising or swelling may occur, so 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 manage them knowing the direction, your impression can change significantly. However, an approach suitable for your face is difficult to determine through photos or text. We recommend that you check for an accurate diagnosis through an in-person consultation. Gangnam Onlif Clinic works with you to find a direction that restores your natural texture based on evidence-based aesthetics.

What to Check Before Choosing a Clinic for Nasolabial Folds

Even for the same procedure, the results and recovery process vary depending on where, by whom, and how it is performed.

Asking these questions directly during your consultation will help you make a decision.

• Is it a place that performs that procedure frequently? — Different clinics focus on different procedures. Check if it is a place that regularly performs nasolabial fold treatments.

• Can you check the products and equipment used? — Ask if you can check the product name and whether it is genuine (whether it is an imported authorized product and if there is an opening verification process) during the consultation.

• Do they explain the cost breakdown? — Rather than just hearing the total amount, you need to hear an explanation of what product is used, how much, and in what area to make a judgment.

• Do they design by looking at the entire face? — Even for the same procedure, the placement and amount vary depending on face shape, skin condition, and left-right asymmetry.

• Do they explain adverse reactions and the recovery process first? — It is better to choose a place that tells you about possible adverse reactions and how to cope with them, rather than a consultation that only talks about expected changes.

• Is there a way to follow up after the procedure? — Check if the timing for progress checks, how to contact them if there is an issue, and the criteria for follow-up visits are established.

How Onlif Clinic Handles Nasolabial Folds

• We divide specialties — With the belief that a single doctor cannot handle every procedure perfectly, Onlif assigns dedicated doctors to each specialized field for medical treatment.

• We check products and equipment together during the consultation — We guide you through the products used and the opening verification process during the consultation.

• Costs are guided along with the breakdown after diagnosis — Since the area, volume, and scope differ for each person, we explain what costs what.

• We design by looking at the overall balance of the face — We look at the face through three axes: texture, balance, and signs of youth, and plan in a direction that cleans up the parts obscuring your natural impression rather than changing your shape.

• We tell you about adverse reactions and the recovery process first — Along with the changes that can be expected, we guide you through individual differences, possible adverse reactions, and countermeasures before the procedure.

• We check the progress after the procedure together — If checking is necessary during the recovery period, we guide you on follow-up visits and contact channels.

If you are concerned about nasolabial folds, it is best to first check what is possible and what is difficult in your current state.

An accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can only be determined through an in-person consultation. Please check through a consultation at Gangnam Onlif Clinic.