What are nasolabial fold fillers?
Running down from each side of the nose to the edges of the mouth, the nasolabial folds are what most people call smile or laugh lines. They are present in every face. Over the years, sun, smoking and thinning of the midface tend to deepen them until they show even when you are not smiling.
The treatment uses a soft gel, in most cases hyaluronic acid, injected under the crease to lift and soften it. Absorbable (temporary) fillers carry FDA approval in the USA for moderate to severe folds and wrinkles of the face, nasolabial folds included, so this is one of the longest-standing applications of filler.
Who is a good candidate for nasolabial fold fillers?
| Often a good match | Worth pausing or considering something else |
|---|---|
| Medium to deep creases that give a tired or older look | Marked midface sagging, where lifting surgery may work better |
| Lines that stay visible with a relaxed face | Infection or a cold sore close to the injection site |
| Healthy adults with realistic goals | Pregnant or breastfeeding |
| Preference for a gentle change that can be reversed | Known allergy to a component, lidocaine included |
| Facial proportions that have stopped changing | Hoping the crease will vanish entirely |
What causes a deep fold, and which treatment fits?
The crease itself is frequently only the visible end of changes higher up, mainly in the cheek. Injecting the line on its own in that situation risks a heavy lower face, so Dr. Yazır first works out why the fold has deepened.
| Underlying reason | Approach usually considered |
|---|---|
| Volume lost right along the crease | Gel injected into the fold itself |
| Cheeks that have flattened or dropped | Cheek fillers to restore midface support, with perhaps a little in the fold |
| Pronounced midface descent | Surgery, for example a midface lift |
| Crepey skin and fine lines near the crease | Skin booster injections or mesotherapy |
Researchers have compared a number of filler materials. Pooling 13 randomised controlled trials, a 2024 network meta-analysis judged hyaluronic acid safe for nasolabial correction. Because it can also be dissolved, it is usually the material of choice.
How is the treatment performed?
- Assessment. The crease is examined with your face still and while smiling, together with cheek volume and skin texture. Dr. Yazır explains what change is realistic.
- Getting ready. Photos are taken for your records, the skin is cleaned and a numbing cream is left on.
- Placing the gel. Small deposits go in through a fine needle or a blunt-tipped microcannula, at a depth chosen for your crease.
- Moulding. Dr. Yazır massages the area lightly and compares the two sides.
- Before you go. Written aftercare instructions are given and a short review is booked before your departure from Izmir.
What does recovery look like?
| After the injection | Typical course |
|---|---|
| Same day | Some redness, puffiness and soreness; leave make-up off until tomorrow |
| Days 1 to 3 | Swelling and bruises fade; daily life generally continues as usual |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | The gel blends into the tissue and looks softer |
| Weeks 2 to 4 | Review of the outcome, by WhatsApp photos if you are already home; a touch-up only if truly needed |
| Months 6 to 12 | The effect slowly fades; you can discuss maintenance if you like |
During the first 24 to 48 hours, skip hard workouts, sauna sessions and alcohol, and do not press on the injected skin.
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You land, meet Dr. Yazır and, if appropriate, have the injection |
| Day 2 | Short review at the clinic, then time to explore the Aegean coast |
| Day 2 or 3 | Return flight |
The clinic is in the Egeperla building in Konak; Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB) is roughly 25 to 30 minutes away by car. Many visitors pair this treatment with others on the same trip. Photos sent by WhatsApp allow a first opinion, but the plan is only confirmed after Dr. Yazır sees you in person.
What are the risks of nasolabial fillers?
When randomised trials of nasolabial fillers were pooled in a systematic review and meta-analysis, lumps, tenderness, swelling and bruising were the complications seen most. Another meta-analysis, this time of hyaluronic acid trials, noted that swelling, lumps and firmness came up more frequently at the nasolabial fold than at certain other areas of the face. Possible problems are:
- Redness, puffiness, soreness and bruises
- Bumps, firm spots or uneven contour
- One side differing from the other
- Infection or an allergic response (uncommon)
- Swelling or nodules appearing later
- Vascular occlusion, meaning gel blocks a blood vessel (uncommon, but serious)
The facial artery runs near this crease. A review on vascular occlusion from hyaluronic acid gels emphasises prevention through small amounts, slow and low-pressure injection, and rapid use of hyaluronidase if it happens. An American Academy of Ophthalmology report on filler-related vision loss did include nasolabial cases, though the nose, forehead and glabella accounted for most. Such events are rare. Even so, call the clinic straight away if you develop intense pain, pale or discoloured skin, or any visual change.
How long do results last?
Across the pooled randomised trials, the crease was measurably improved at 6 months and remained better, to a lesser degree, at 12 months. Cleveland Clinic gives a comparable range of roughly six months to one year for filler effects. How long yours lasts will depend on the gel, the amount, your metabolism and how much you move your face.
Why is a facial assessment more important than the syringe?
Getting a natural look comes down to choosing the right place to treat. Dr. Yazır is an ENT and head and neck surgeon whose practice focuses on facial aesthetic surgery who offers both injectable and surgical options for the midface. That background lets him tell you plainly whether gel in the crease will help, or whether cheek support, a skin-quality treatment or surgery makes more sense for you.