Nasolabial fold Botox —

Please don't just get it done carelessly

(The real reason, from a doctor)

Hello, Dr. Kim Ga-eul(Kyle) from Beautydoctorshere.

Nasolabial folds… once you hit your 30s,

they're basically everyone's concern!!

But some people seem to think

nasolabial fold Botox

is a cure-all…

"Doctor, my nasolabial folds are pretty deep —

can one Botox shot smooth them out?"

Every time I hear that,

I want to be straightforward,

but I pause — and put it gently so no one feels bad:

"It helps… a tiny little bit.

But honestly… it's not enough."

Even I — someone who tries to accommodate

whatever treatment a patient wants —

why do I talk people out of this one?

Let me be honest with you,

off the record.

Read this,

and next time your friends are stressing about nasolabial folds,

you'll sound like a

"nasolabial fold expert."

1. This one's a bit risky… here's why

(The truth behind the "crooked mouth" side effect)

Nasolabial fold Botox —

the big reason I discourage it:

"Your face can look asymmetrical when you smile."

Facial asymmetry when smiling

can actually lead to social anxiety.

Some patients say they can't even look their coworkers in the eye.

The reason nasolabial folds appear when smiling

is the muscles that pull the corners of your mouth upward.

Those muscles are densely packed right in the nasolabial area.

When Botox is injected there to smooth out wrinkles,

even if both sides are treated evenly,

they can become paralyzed unevenly —

causing your mouth to pull to one side when smiling,

food to dribble while eating,

or subtle changes in your expressions —

what's known as "mouth drooping."

Botox paralyzes muscle — that's just how it works.

That's why I always emphasize:

nasolabial fold Botox should never

be the main treatment.

If you still want it, keep it very minimal —Never.

only in the form that works on the skin's surface,

known as and only as a minor supplement. "Just a little!" skin Botox,

The keyword here: a little. Just a little. 😢

2. Nasolabial folds —

start by identifying the root cause

(3-point checklist)

Here's today's key question 😄

Before lying down on the treatment table

for nasolabial fold concerns,

look in the mirror and figure out what type of wrinkle you have!

That comes first.

The right treatment

depends entirely on the cause.

① When the area inside the nasolabial fold

appears sunken

You know the "aristocrat zone" beside the nose?

This applies to those whose bone structure is low in that area,

or who've lost fat volume there.

This isn't a muscle issue —

it's a volume issue.

'볼륨 문제'입니다.

Not Botox — fillers

or Juvelook volume is what you need.

② Outside the nasolabial fold

when thick skin is pressing down on it

— due to excess cheek volume or loss of elasticity,

the cheek fat slides over

and droops down onto the fold.

In this case, the fold isn't a wrinkle —

it's being "pushed down" by sagging skin.

Getting Botox here

can actually make the skin look even more droopy.

Lifting treatments like Ultherapy or Shurink

are needed to lift the skin back up.

③ Fine lines from thin skin

Fine lines etched into the skin

from frequent facial expressions

or naturally thin skin

that folds like paper.

In this case, skip the Botox —

a skin booster like Rejuran works much better.

Strengthening the skin's foundation

is far more effective and safer.

Once you know these 3 types,

you can actually advise your friends:

"Yours is sunken — you need filler,"

"Yours is sagging — go for lifting."

You'll know exactly what to recommend.

3. FAQs

Q: Why don't you recommend nasolabial Botox?

A: Because it can literally affect your mouth movement.

Please don't do it.

The asymmetry can get bad enough

to interfere with daily life — and reversing it is a struggle.

Q: So who would you recommend it for?

A: Just one group — people with a "gummy smile"

where too much gum shows. Highly recommended for them.

A small amount in the lip-lifting muscle

reduces gum exposure and softens

the nasolabial fold naturally.

Q: So what's the best treatment for nasolabial folds?

A: It depends on the case,

but combination treatment is the way to go.

Sunken? Filler or Juvelook.

Sagging? Lifting.

Loss of elasticity? Skin Botox.

Instead of looking for a one-size-fits-all fix,

finding the right combination

for your face shape is what matters.

Wrapping Up — The Key Takeaway!

Nasolabial folds are one of the biggest culprits

of making you look older,

but rushing into the wrong treatment can backfire.

Especially with treatments like Botox that affect muscles —

please take it seriously and think it through.

If you're not sure which type of nasolabial fold you have,

try doing a quick self-check~!

Whatever your nasolabial fold concern is,

I'm here to help you figure it out.

✦ Related Reading

• Pre-Wedding Skincare Routine: A Day-by-Day Guide for Brides-to-Be

• Forehead Botox: Effects & How Long It Lasts

• Nose Filler: Side Effects, Results & Longevity

• Does Mounjaro Cause Loss of Skin Elasticity?

• Ulthera+Thermage Swelling: When Does It Go Down?