Smile Line Filler
Procedure Time 30 mins
Recovery Time 1 Day
$489Restylane-L
$525Juvederm Ultra
Dermal facial fillers are the top choice to non-surgically enhance the face. They can augment the lips, chin, and cheeks. Fillers can also disguise aging by adding volume to hollowed areas and filling in wrinkles. One of the areas of the face that straddles the line between a purely cosmetic use of filler and treating aging is the nasolabial folds. This area is frequently requested because patients find themselves worrying over it often. Thankfully, fillers offer a non-surgical solution. Northwest Face & Body provides the best nasolabial fold filler Bellevue and Kirkland have available.
Overview: What Is Nasolabial Fold Filler?
Nasolabial fold filler smooths out the appearance of the nasolabial folds–also known as smile lines. It uses traditional dermal fillers like Restylane and Juvederm and involves a few small injections. Each procedure is customized to meet the patient’s personal goals. With a skillful hand and an eye for aesthetics, our injectors understand how to bring balance to the features with smile line filler.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common choice for the nasolabial folds, especially for first-time patients. They carry less risk because they can be dissolved. Most of the time, a hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane Lyft or Juvederm Voluma satisfies a patient’s goals.
Occasionally, semi-permanent fillers like Sculptra can be utilized in this area. This is typically only in specific cases. These fillers do not have a reversal agent and typically require a patient familiar with fillers, or with specific anatomy.
Smile Line Development
Smile lines, also known as laugh lines, develop primarily in two different ways via genetics or aging. Let’s look at the differences between these and how they may affect your nasolabial fold filler injections in Bellevue.
Genetics
- Everyone born with at least a slight nasolabial fold
- Folds present from childhood
- Can become deeper over time
- Not always a concern until later in life
- Sometimes enhanced by cheek filler
- Can be predisposed to deeper folds with aging
Aging
- Sun damage, loss of collagen, and smoking can all deepen the folds
- Lines begin to become constant versus just when smiling
- Facial expressions deepen lines over time
- Can become asymmetric due to uneven exposure or sleeping on your side
As mentioned, everyone–except those with rare deformities–is born with nasolabial folds. Some just have more prominent folds than others. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Many attractive people have visible and prominent nasolabial folds. In these cases, they likely also have a strong cheek structure, which evens out the face and promotes symmetry. This is why cheek filler can also sometimes balance out nasolabial folds.
How Filler Works
Dermal fillers can work in different ways depending on the type. However, something all fillers have in common is that they are designed to increase the volume of the treated area. Let’s start by looking at hyaluronic acid fillers.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are made of hyaluronic acid which is a naturally occurring sugar protein. It contributes to the health of your joints, eyes, and connective tissues. As a dermal filler, hyaluronic acid comes in a gel form that is injected into the soft tissue of the folds. It provides a nearly instantaneous plump, promotes collagen production, and moisturizes the skin.
Other semi-permanent fillers are made of various other components. While working to accomplish the same goals as hyaluronic acid fillers, they work slightly differently. When injected, Sculptra, Radiesse, or similar filler may provide some immediate difference. However, this will slowly fade as the filler produces collagen. This collagen production is more than what hyaluronic acid fillers produce because they promote collagen in the hollowing area
Making The Decision To Get Smile Line Filler
Choosing to get smile line filler can take months or even years to decide. There are many factors to weigh when considering the procedure. At Northwest Face & Body, we advocate for patient education and encourage patients to research their desired procedures.
During your consultation, your injector will also discuss all of the facets of the procedure with you. Benefits and risks will differ between patients due to variations in medical history, filler choice, and various other factors.
Benefits
There are countless benefits of undergoing Bellevue nasolabial fold filler. Some may include:
- Fills in deepening nasolabial folds
- Contributes to younger facial appearance
- May provide a slight lift, especially if combined with other filler injections
- Skin may look smoother and softer
- Customizable
- Ability to use a wide range of fillers
- Takes less than an hour (injections often under twenty minutes)
- Little to no pain
- Minimal recovery
- Can increase collagen production for longer lasting results
- Advanced techniques reduce side effects
- Immediate difference with full results in about two weeks
Risks
Any medical procedure–whether elective or not–does come with some risk. Dermal filler treatments in general are considered safe when performed by an experienced and licensed medical professional. Getting injections from an unqualified professional or not following aftercare instructions increases the risks of smile line filler.
Major risks or complications associated with nasolabial filler are rare. Side effects can occur, but should resolve within about two weeks. It is possible to avoid and treat most complications. Risks of nasolabial fold filler include:
- Prolonged side effects like bruising or swelling
- Acne breakouts
- Infection
- Scarring
- Damage to blood vessels or nerves
- Scars
- Occlusion
- Skin or tissue death
- Sores or lesions
Candidates
Dermal fillers are a low risk procedure that most people are good candidates for. However, the nasolabial area is not worth it for every patient. The determining factors that impact your candidacy include:
- Medical conditions and history
- Allergies
- Age
- Current anatomy
- Understanding of the procedure
- Lifestyle factors (such as if you smoke, diet, and exercise routine)
- Ability to consent
- Filler preferences
- Severity of aging
- Do not yet need surgical correction
Your injector will evaluate several criteria to determine if you are a good candidate for nasolabial fold filler. They can also recommend an ideal filler for your situation and other treatments that may enhance your results. This will take place at your consultation.
Smile Line Fillers Before And After
Consultation
A consultation with an injector at Northwest Face & Body will start with a discussion about your goals, medical history, and lifestyle. Your injector may then physically examine your nasolabial folds. This is to determine the procedure most likely to give you the best result based on your goals.
If they believe you are a viable candidate for the procedure, they will provide the various filler options and explain the procedure in detail. In some cases, it is possible to perform the injections on the same day. If smile line filler is not the ideal option for you, they will discuss alternatives, treatment options, and the reasoning behind why fillers may not be right for you.
Generally, patients who are in good health and have anatomy that would benefit from the injections are candidates. You can then schedule your injections for a later date after your consultation.
Procedure
Nasolabial fold filler injections can take anywhere from around fifteen to forty-five minutes depending on the specifics of the procedure. When injecting this area, patients usually prefer the application of topical numbing cream beforehand to make it more comfortable and bearable. The cream takes around twenty minutes to take effect.
Before applying the numbing cream, your injector will clean the injection sites with an alcohol wipe. This reduces the chances of infection. While you numb, your injector will prepare for the procedure. Once numb, they will use either a needle or a cannula to gently inject the filler. In addition to the numbing cream, they may also use a vibration device to distract the brain from the injections.
The injections themselves typically do not take more than ten or fifteen minutes. Your provider may gently massage the filler into place. They will then provide aftercare instructions and clear away any pinpoint bleeding.
Aftercare & Follow Up
Immediately following your injections, you may see some swelling and redness. Over the next couple of days, bruising may form. Though, bruising is usually minimal. These side effects should resolve in about two weeks, if not sooner. Your injector will give you aftercare instructions. While they can differ depending on the patient and the filler, in general, you can expect directions like:
- Avoid strenuous exercise for a day or so
- Do not touch or massage the area unless instructed
- Take only Tylenol for side effects
- Avoid drinking alcohol for a few days (or until side effects subside)
- Refrain from overheating the body and hot environments
- Carefully apply makeup and skincare products
- Contact your provider if you have any questions or concerns
Your injector may want to see you in about two weeks to follow up on your filler, especially if this is your first time getting nasolabial fold filler. This quick follow-up will assess the look of the filler and how you feel about it. In some cases, your injector may perform a quick touch-up. They may also inquire about any side effects you experienced and the healing process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neurotoxins Or Filler Better For Smile Lines?
Neurotoxins can effectively treat the appearance of smile lines. It is best for lines caused by movement and the smaller lines that sometimes parallel the nasolabial folds. For those with deeper folds associated with aging or other conditions, neuromodulators may not provide the best results. Therefore, the answer to this question is highly dependent on your specific anatomy.
At What Age Can You Get Nasolabial Fold Filler?
Technically, patients eighteen and over can get dermal filler injections. However, since the nasolabial fillers often are not a huge concern until later on, most patients do not seek out this type of filler until at least their late twenties.
That is not to say that patients as young as eighteen could not benefit from smile line filler in certain situations. Every patient’s anatomy and goals are unique. Furthermore, as long as the patient is an adult, is a good candidate, and can consent to the treatment, they can undergo nasolabial fold filler in Kirkland.
Does It Hurt?
Dermal fillers injected anywhere on the face can cause some pain and discomfort. Thankfully, the treatment is quick and there are many ways that your injector can reduce the amount of discomfort felt.
First, they can use topical numbing agents. Next, most hyaluronic acid fillers have a small amount of lidocaine in them to ease the injections themselves. Thirdly, a small vibration device can be held against the skin during the injection. This distracts the brain from the pain of the injection. Finally, ice or lidocaine injections are options.
Most patients remain perfectly comfortable during their nasolabial fold filler when using topical numbing and the vibration device. Your injector can discuss your specific treatment plan with you based on your needs and preferences.
What Is The Longest Lasting Filler For Nasolabial Folds?
The amount of time a filler lasts will differ from patient to patient. Generally, though, Sculptra and Radiesse will last the longest. Additionally, since they stimulate collagen underneath the skin, they may leave the folds a little plumper than before the injections. Hyaluronic acid filler, Juvederm Voluma, is comparable to both Sculptra and Radiesse, sometimes lasting as long as eighteen months.
How Much Is Smile Line Filler?
Smile line filler varies in cost depending on the filler you choose, how many syringes you require, and the provider. Below are the costs of one syringe of our most popular fillers for the smile lines with an injector or aesthetic physician.
- Restylane Defyne: $550
- Juvederm Voluma: $850
- Sculptra: $700
The Best Dermal Fillers In Bellevue And Kirkland At Northwest Face & Body
Dermal filler injections, especially those in such a visible place like the smile lines, require a skilled and artful hand. The injectors at Northwest Face & Body have decades of combined experience. They have trained under award-winning injectors and plastic surgeons to develop gentle and effective techniques. Along with their technical skill, they also possess a honed eye for symmetry and aesthetics. Northwest Face & Body’s injectors provide the best smile line filler Bellevue and Kirkland offers.
Northwest Face & Body is located on Carillion Point in Kirkland. Perfectly centered between downtown Bellevue and Kirkland, it has served the Eastside with the top cosmetic injectables for decades. With a full care team consisting of plastic surgeons, aesthetic physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, and master estheticians, Northwest Face & Body is the top destination for surgical and non-surgical needs in Washington State.
To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also connect with us online using Price Simulator®, chat, and contact forms.
