When nasolabial folds deepen, filler alone is not always the answer. Nasolabial folds have five causes. If a muscle is the cause, Botox is considered; if skin sagging is the cause, lifting; and filler is suitable only where the bone structure has become hollow. If the causes overlap in a combined type, a combined nasolabial fold filler and lifting treatment may be considered.
Why Might Filler Alone Not Solve Nasolabial Folds?
Nasolabial folds do not form only because the fold itself is hollowed out. They result from changes in the surrounding tissue that build up over time. Filler fills in lost volume, so its role is limited when the problem is sagging or the muscles.
According to Repic Clinic in Gangnam, starting with filler without identifying the cause can make the folds look more prominent or give an unnatural result. This is why the cause needs to be sorted out before treatment.
Which Treatment Fits Which Cause?
The causes of nasolabial folds are classified into the following five.
- Overactive muscles at the corners of the mouth: Botox may be considered
- Reduced firmness of the skin beside the folds: lifting may be considered
- Sagging fat in the cheekbone and cheek area: lifting may be considered
- Changes in bone structure (hollowing): filler may be considered
- Combined type: a combination of filler, lifting, Botox and so on
It is more common for two or three causes to overlap than for only one to apply, which is why combined treatment comes up as an option. Which combination is right depends on the diagnosis results.
What Role Do Filler and Lifting Each Play?
Filler works on filling volume, and lifting works on raising sagging tissue and addressing firmness.
Filler: 3D Design Filler
This is a customized filler designed with the facial contour and three-dimensional shape in mind. It is planned by looking at areas together, not only the nasolabial folds but also the cheekbones, cheeks, chin, forehead and temples.
Lifting: Ulthera, InMode and ONDA
- Ulthera lifting: focuses ultrasound on the fascia (SMAS) layer to address sagging of the jawline, cheeks and cheekbones. The depth is checked with DeepSee™ real-time imaging during the procedure.
- InMode lifting: delivers RF energy down to the fascia (SMAS) layer to address fat reduction, collagen production and tightening together. It is an FDA-cleared device.
- ONDA lifting: uses ultra-short-wave Coolwaves™ technology to reduce epidermal damage while targeting the dermis and subcutaneous fat layers together.
How Is a Combined Treatment Designed?
Repic Clinic in Gangnam applies an integrated lifting approach that combines Ulthera, Thermage, thread lifting, EMFACE, lifting filler, Botox and more. It follows three shared principles.
- Individual patient data is obtained through a pre-treatment diagnosis.
- The director personally designs the treatment plan.
- It is applied in a personalized way instead of a uniform protocol.
Which treatments to combine, how many, and whether to do them on the same day are decided at a consultation after the diagnosis. There is no fixed order or set combination.
What Should I Check Before a Consultation?
- When and where the nasolabial folds bother you most
- A diagnostic explanation of which cause applies: muscle, sagging or bone structure
- The order and interval when combining filler, lifting and Botox
- Reactions that may appear after the procedure, such as swelling, bruising and pain, and the precautions
Repic Clinic in Gangnam is located at 318 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, basement level 1 and floor 2. Detailed treatment information is available on the official page and through a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
My nasolabial folds have deepened. Is filler enough?
Only some nasolabial folds are solved by filler alone. They are divided into five causes: overactive muscles, reduced skin firmness, sagging fat in the cheekbone and cheek area, bone structure changes and a combined type, and filler suits cases where the bone structure is hollowed. If you have filler without identifying the cause, the folds may look more prominent.
Can I have Botox and filler together?
If overactive muscles at the corners of the mouth are among the causes, Botox can be considered together with filler. Whether to do them at the same time and the interval depend on your face, so they are decided at a consultation after the diagnosis.
Which should I do first, filler or lifting?
There is no fixed order. The plan follows the cause: if sagging is prominent, lifting takes a larger share, and if hollowing is prominent, filler takes a larger share. The director designs it individually based on the diagnostic data.
What kind of treatment is 3D Design Filler?
It is a customized filler designed with the facial contour and three-dimensional shape in mind. The application areas include the cheekbones, cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds, forehead and temples, and the nasolabial folds are planned together with the surrounding volume rather than looked at alone.
What types of lifting are used for nasolabial folds?
Repic Clinic in Gangnam offers Ulthera, InMode and ONDA lifting. All three address sagging and firmness, but the energy type and target layer differ. Which device suits you depends on the diagnosis results.
Are there precautions after a combined treatment?
Depending on the type of treatment, swelling, bruising and pain may appear, and the degree varies from person to person. It is a good idea to tell your doctor about your health condition and any medication at the pre-treatment consultation and to receive aftercare instructions.
Related Official Information
You can find more details on the official website.
Repic Clinic official website →
※ This content is for general information only and does not replace a medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before any procedure. Results, downtime and side effects vary from person to person.