Dermal fillers: treatment guide
Nasolabial fold filler: what it is, results, side effects and cost
What is nasolabial fold filler?
Nasolabial fold filler is an injection of dermal filler along the creases that run from both sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, often called smile lines or laugh lines. The filler plumps the area and softens the crease. Nasolabial folds are one of the classic FDA-approved uses for dermal fillers, and results typically last six months to a year.[1][3][4]
Nasolabial fold filler quick facts
| What it is | A dermal filler injected along the crease from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth[3][4] |
|---|---|
| What it treats | Moderate to severe nasolabial folds, an FDA-approved use for both temporary and permanent fillers in adults over 21[1] |
| How long it lasts | Typically six months to a year, depending on the filler and the area[1][3][4] |
| Results timeline | You can see a difference immediately[4] |
| Treatment time | About 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how many areas are treated[10] |
| Downtime | Most activities right away; avoid intense exercise for 24 to 48 hours[8] |
| Typical sessions | Repeated over time to maintain the effect[1][7] |
| Cost | Varies by clinic and area. Depends on the product and amount used, the provider and location.[9] |
| Insurance | Health insurance does not cover dermal fillers[9] |
How nasolabial fold filler works
Nasolabial folds are creases from both sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. When you are younger they may show only when you smile, but over time they can become deeper and visible at rest.[3] Causes include aging, as the bones of the midface lose projection and the skin loses collagen.[3]
Dermal filler is injected along the crease. It plumps the area and restores volume and fullness.[3][4] Fillers used for nasolabial folds include hyaluronic acid and other materials.[3] Hyaluronic acid is a sugar naturally present in the body; in gel form it holds water and swells, which creates a smoothing, filling effect.[2] Hyaluronic acid fillers can do more than fill a line: they can also replace volume lost with aging.[4] To learn about other filler types and areas, see the dermal fillers guide.
The FDA has approved absorbable (temporary) fillers for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds. It has approved non-absorbable (permanent) fillers only for nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars.[1] The one approved permanent material, PMMA beads, is suspended in a gel containing cow collagen, so allergy testing matters for products made with animal-derived materials.[2]
What to expect, step by step
- Before your consultation: preview it in the appIf you like, scan your face in the SkinSync AI app and look at an illustrative nasolabial fold filler simulation, so you can show your provider what you have in mind. A simulation does not predict your result, and your provider decides what is appropriate for you.
- ConsultationShare your goals and your medical history, including allergies and any bleeding disorder. Your provider explains the risks of the specific product and injection site and gives you its patient labeling.[1]
- Assessment and mappingYour provider examines the areas to be treated, may mark the injection points and may take photos.[10]
- Cleansing and numbingThe skin is cleaned with an antibacterial agent. Cold, a numbing ointment or a local anesthetic can make injections more comfortable, and some fillers contain lidocaine.[2][10]
- InjectionsFiller is injected along the crease from the nose to the side of the mouth. Each injection takes only a few moments, and the whole visit can take 15 minutes to an hour.[4][10]
- Right afterYou may get an ice pack to reduce swelling. The area may feel tender for a day or two.[10]
- ResultsYou can see a difference immediately.[4]
- MaintenanceThe effect is temporary. Because temporary fillers are absorbed over time, treatment is repeated to keep the effect.[1][3]
Side effects and who should avoid nasolabial fold filler
Common side effects
Most side effects of dermal fillers appear soon after the injection, and many go away in a few days to weeks.[1] They can include:
- Bruising, redness, swelling or pain[1]
- Tenderness, itching or rash[1]
- Lumps, filler you can feel under the skin, or uneven results[7]
Less common problems include bumps under the skin (nodules or granulomas) that may need treatment, infection, and allergic reactions. Some side effects can appear weeks, months or even years after injection.[1]
Serious but rare: filler in a blood vessel
The most concerning risk of any dermal filler is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can block blood flow. The chances are low, but complications can be serious and may be permanent, including tissue death, vision problems including blindness, and stroke.[1][7]
Seek medical help right away if you have unusual pain, vision changes, a white, gray or blue look to the skin near the injection, or signs of a stroke during or shortly after treatment.[1]
Who should avoid nasolabial fold filler or talk to a provider first
- Allergies to lidocaine, collagen, eggs, animal products or bacterial proteins, depending on the filler, or a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis[1]
- Inflamed or infected skin, including active pimples, rashes or hives. Treatment should wait until it has been managed.[1]
- A bleeding disorder[1]
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding. The safety of fillers is unknown in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.[1]
- Under 22. Fillers are approved for adults over 21.[1]
- A tendency to form keloids or raised scars, where safety is unknown[1]
Choose a qualified provider
The FDA recommends a licensed provider with experience in dermatology or plastic surgery who is trained in filler injections. Do not inject yourself and do not buy fillers online, where products may be counterfeit or unapproved.[1]
Nasolabial fold filler aftercare
- Skip intense exercise for the first 24 to 48 hours to limit swelling and bruising.[8]
- Use ice to ease swelling. Ask your provider before massaging the area.[8][10]
- Expect some tenderness for a day or two.[10]
- Watch for warning signs such as vision changes, unusual pain or skin color changes, and get care right away.[1]
Nasolabial fold filler vs Botox vs surgery
Several treatments can soften nasolabial folds. They work in different ways and last for different lengths of time.[3]
Swipe sideways to see all three options.
| Dermal filler | Botulinum toxin (Botox) | Cheek lift or facelift | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it works | Plumps the crease and restores volume[3] | Weakens and relaxes a specific muscle that contributes to the fold[3] | Repositions and reshapes skin and underlying tissues[3] |
| How long it lasts | Six months to a year[3] | A few months[3] | A facelift can last several years[4] |
| Type of procedure | In-office injections[10] | Injections[3] | Surgery[3] |
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be reversed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if you do not like the result.[4] Fillers cannot achieve the same results as a facelift, but they may help delay the time when a facelift becomes appropriate.[6] Read more in our Botox guide, or see cheek filler, since flattening cheekbones are one cause of deeper folds.[3]
Which option suits you is a decision to make with a licensed provider.
Frequently asked questions about nasolabial fold filler
How long does nasolabial fold filler last?
Typically six months to a year. How long the effect lasts depends on the filler material and the area where it is injected.[1][3][4]
Is filler FDA approved for nasolabial folds?
Yes. The FDA has approved temporary fillers for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds, and permanent fillers only for nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars. Approvals are for adults over 21.[1]
What causes nasolabial folds?
Aging is the main cause: cheekbones can flatten, loose skin is pulled down by gravity, and skin has less collagen and elastin. Smoking, sun damage and large weight changes also contribute.[3]
Which fillers are used for smile lines?
Hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite and PMMA microspheres are all used. Calcium hydroxylapatite is recommended for deeper creases such as nasolabial folds.[3][5]
Is there a permanent filler for nasolabial folds?
The FDA has approved one non-absorbable material, PMMA beads, for nasolabial folds and cheek acne scars. It contains cow collagen, and permanent fillers may be difficult or impossible to remove.[1][2]
Is filler or Botox better for smile lines?
They work differently. Filler plumps the crease and lasts six months to a year, while Botox relaxes a muscle that contributes to the fold and lasts a few months. Your provider can suggest what fits your face.[3]
Does nasolabial fold filler hurt?
Injections are not painless but are usually easily tolerated. Cold, a numbing ointment or a local anesthetic can help, and some fillers contain lidocaine.[2][10]
How much does nasolabial fold filler cost?
Varies by clinic and area. Your price depends on the product and how much is used, the provider's expertise and your location. Health insurance does not cover dermal fillers.[9]
Can nasolabial fold filler be dissolved?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can. If you do not like the result, your doctor can inject hyaluronidase to counteract the filler.[4]
What is the downtime?
You can resume most activities right away. Avoid intense physical activity for the first 24 to 48 hours to limit swelling and bruising.[8]
Can nasolabial folds be prevented?
There is no way to prevent them permanently, but daily sunscreen, not smoking and a healthy lifestyle can delay them or make them less prominent.[3]
SkinSync AI: Aesthetic Care
See a simulation before you book.
Read up here, then use the app to picture nasolabial fold filler on your own face and take the next step with a clinic. Arrive at your consultation informed and ready to ask the right questions.
- Scan your face and see an illustrative filler simulation from the front and both sides: nasolabial folds, lips, cheeks, tear troughs, temples, chin, jawline and more
- Find participating clinics and providers, with availability and pricing
- Book a consultation, in person or virtual, or a treatment in the app
- Save your scans and get reminders and aftercare guidance
Simulations are illustrative and do not predict results. The app does not give medical advice; a licensed provider determines appropriate treatment.
Sources
Every medical fact on this page is linked to one of these sources. Reviewed October 30, 2026.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA-Approved Dermal Fillers
- Diagnostics (Basel): Why Do Nasolabial Folds Appear? Exploring the Anatomical Perspectives and the Role of Thread-Based Interventions (2024); Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open: The Assessment, Strategy, and Treatment Protocol: Nasolabial Fold Assessment, Strategy, and Treatment With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Chinese Patients (2025)
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open: The Assessment, Strategy, and Treatment Protocol: Nasolabial Fold Assessment, Strategy, and Treatment With Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Chinese Patients (2025); JMIR Dermatology: Hyaluronidase for Dermal Filler Complications: Review of Applications and Dosage Recommendations (2024)
- Medical Science Monitor: Facial Injectable Fillers in Aesthetic Medicine: Clinical Applications and Safety Strategies (2025)
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Dermal fillers
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: What are the risks of dermal fillers?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Dermal fillers recovery
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: How much do dermal fillers cost?
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Dermal fillers procedure steps
Related guides
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