Nasolabial folds

Nasolabial folds are the anatomical structures of the face extending from the wings of the nose to the corners of the mouth. They are visible in everyone, especially when smiling. In young people, the skin on the face is very tense, so the nasolabial folds at a young age are not very visible. However, with the passage of years, these furrows deepen, which adversely affects the appearance, giving the face a tired expression. What causes nasolabial folds? The reasons for the deepening of folds with age are:

• the formation of excess loose skin
• cheek drooping under the influence of gravity

The skin becomes thinner over the years, the content of collagen fibers decreases, muscle and fat tissue gradually disappear. Activation of these factors in the facial areas adjacent to the nasolabial folds causes their deepening, which is facilitated by the permanent attachment of the skin along the folds to the craniofacial bones. The rate of deepening of folds is an individual matter, depending on the degree of skin hydration, weight fluctuations, the degree of facial mimicry and genetic predisposition.

In the close vicinity of nasolabial folds may occur so-called marionette lines, meaning deep wrinkles leading from the cheek to the chin. Their formation is associated with skin slackening, weight fluctuations, as well as with facial anatomy (mainly low prominent cheekbones or low-placed zygomatic bone).

Forehead furrows, taking the form of deep horizontal wrinkles, are very visible changes. Their creation is associated primarily with the progressive processes of skin aging, as well as facial expression. Similar factors cause the so-called lion’s wrinkle, a vertical wrinkle located between the eyebrows.