Hello, this is Dr. Gaeul Kim (Dr. Kim Ga-eul) of Beautys Doctors.

Laugh lines, or nasolabial folds, are truly a concern

for almost everyone once they pass their 30s!

However, there are occasionally some people

who believe that Botox for nasolabial folds

is a cure-all solution...

"Dr. Kim, my nasolabial folds are very deep.

Will a single shot of Botox smooth them out?"

Whenever I hear this,

I want to give a firm answer, but to avoid hurting anyone's feelings,

I take a moment to think and reply softly,

"It helps just a little, tiny bit.

But... it won't be enough on its own."

As a doctor, I always try to accommodate the treatments my patients want.

So why do I discourage

this particular procedure?

Let me share the honest truth

with you here in this post.

Once you finish reading this,

you will be able to share these tips with your friends who are stressed about their laugh lines

and literally hear them call you

a 'nasolabial fold expert'!

1. This can actually be risky... and here is why

(The truth about side effects causing an asymmetrical smile)

Botox for nasolabial folds!

The biggest reason I advice against it:

"It can cause facial asymmetry when you smile..."

When your face becomes asymmetrical when smiling,

it can lead to social anxiety.

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

The reason nasolabial folds appear when we smile

is due to the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth upward.

These muscles are densely concentrated around the folds.

However, if you inject Botox in this area

simply to smooth out the wrinkles...

Even if it is injected symmetrically,

the muscles can become paralyzed unevenly.

This can cause your mouth to tilt to one side when smiling,

make you spill food or drinks,

or cause a slightly awkward, unnatural facial expression,

often referred to as an asymmetric smile or 'drooping mouth' effect.

After all, Botox works by temporarily relaxing muscles.

This is why I emphasize that Botox

should absolutely never be the main treatment

for nasolabial folds.

If you really must do it, it should be done very lightly,

using a Skin Botox technique that only works on the surface of the skin,

and only "in tiny amounts!" as a minor supporting treatment.

I cannot stress this enough—only tiny amounts. ㅠㅠ

2. For nasolabial folds,

identify the root cause first

(A 3-point checklist)

Here is today's key question!

If you are worried about your laugh lines,

before you blindly lie down on the treatment table,

look in the mirror and identify what type of folds you have first!

You need to understand this beforehand.

This is because the treatments

are completely different depending on the cause.

① The inner area of the fold

is deeply sunken

This is the area next to the nose, often called the 'noble zone' in Korea.

For some, this area is recessed due to their natural bone structure,

or it has become hollowed out due to fat loss.

This is not a muscle issue;

it is a 'volume issue.'

Instead of Botox, this needs to be filled

using dermal fillers or Juvelook Volume.

② Thick skin on the outer side

of the fold is drooping over

This happens when there is excess cheek fat or a loss of elasticity,

causing the skin of the front cheek area

to sag down over the laugh lines.

In this case, the folds are not actually deep wrinkles;

they are being 'pressed down' by the sagging skin.

Getting Botox here

can actually make the skin look even more saggy.

Instead, lifting treatments like Ultherapy or Shurink

should be used to tighten and lift the skin back up.

③ The skin is thin,

creating fine lines and creases

This occurs either because of highly expressive facial movements

or because the skin itself is very thin,

causing it to crease like folded paper.

Instead of Botox,

skin boosters like Rejuran are highly recommended.

Strengthening the foundational layers of the skin

is far more effective and much safer.

Just by understanding these three categories,

when you meet your friends and give them advice,

you can point them in the exact right direction, saying,

"Your folds are from volume loss, so you should get fillers," or "Yours are from sagging, so you should get a lifting treatment."

3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why don't you recommend Botox for laugh lines?

A: It can truly cause an asymmetrical smile.

Please avoid it if possible.

If asymmetry occurs to the point of disrupting your daily life,

it takes a tremendous amount of stress and time to reverse it.

Q: Who would you actually recommend it to?

A: There is just one group: those with a 'gummy smile'

where the gums are excessively visible when laughing. I highly recommend it for them.

Applying a very light dose to the elevator muscles of the lip

will show less gum and also

naturally soften the laugh lines.

Q: Then what is the best treatment for nasolabial folds?

A: It varies by case,

but the current standard is a 'combination' approach.

If there is volume loss, fillers or Juvelook;

if there is sagging, a lifting treatment;

and if you are concerned about elasticity, Skin Botox is the way to go.

Rather than trying to fix everything with a single quick fix,

finding the right combination that suits your unique face shape

is the key to natural beauty.

In Summary! The Core Conclusion

Nasolabial folds are one of the main culprits

that make us look older,

but rushing into a solution can lead to unwanted results.

Especially for procedures like Botox that affect the facial muscles,

you must be extremely careful.

If you are curious about which type of laugh lines you have,

why not try a quick self-check in the mirror?

I am always here to help you

solve your concerns about nasolabial folds.

✦ Helpful Reads

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

• Forehead Botox: Benefits, Effects, and How Long It Lasts

• Nose Fillers: Side Effects, Results, and Longevity Guide

• Does Mounjaro Really Cause Loss of Skin Elasticity?

• When Does Swelling Subside After Ulthermage?

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