Any nasolabial fold minimization procedures to share?

[AllieO]

I'm interested in a mid-face lift to minimize the folds but have heard that they are tricky and that risks include lower eye droop, depending on the technique employed. One PS advised I have implants instead (in the folds) but I'm afraid that might not look natural. I've only been able to find one or two "before and after" photos online of nasolabial fold implants so I'm not convinced this is a common treatment. Thanks!

[Merrida]

My mom had the implants and regrets it. She had to have it done a few times, and now they've slid down. You can FEEL them as well as slightly see them. She gave up and left them in, slipped down and all, said she's too tired to keep going back and getting them redone.

I wouldn't opt for implants, I'd opt for the face lift if I could afford it, given a choice. Another consideration if your folds are shallow are injections. They've accepted collagen and silicone once again, -- check those options out.

[AllieO]

Thanks very much for the input. I've pretty much decided not to go the implant route - your post seals that decision.

[pinkcat]

hi merr and allie,

i was just at the doctor complaining about those nasal folds. he pulled the skin back to the ear and they disappeared. he said go to the plastic surgeon and decided not to put collagen in those folds because he said i'd have to go in every 2 months and it's just a waste of money. best wishes. pinkcat

[Merrida]

I have those bloody ole nasty folds, too, and as if the name of 'em, the nasolabial folds, doesn't just clinch the deal, eh? I swear men think up these names!

If I pull my face back they disappear too, but my folds are getting deeper. I can thank my grandmother who is pure german for this lovely piece of work. I can remember looking at her when I was a little kid thinking how she looked like a puppet because those folds were so deep they looked like her chin was separate from each cheek too. So it's all genetic, which sucks.

I would never opt for injections either mostly because my folds are way too deep and really do start from the nose and run all the way down. If they were shallower, I'd go for injections.

With fat, there is a reabsorption rate of about 50-60% if I'm not mistaken, but what that means is that if you get it done enough time, at that rate, eventuall the amount of fat that remains is significant. As for silicone that's supposed to be part of the deal, there is not the reabsorption that you get with injected fat, which makes fixing those creases a more permanent or lasting deal.

Silicone was forbidden and illegal (for this purpose) for ages, taken off the market (for this purpose), but recently re-approved.

I think I'd opt for the MID face lift because I'm quite concerned about the scars that you get in a regular face lift, the scars that are made in the creases in front of the ears. I know, they're supposed to be hairline, but I've seen them on people, and can tell. I mean, their faces look awesome, and they're not exactly sporting a Joan Rivers wind-tunnel look, but quite often I can spot the face lift (the bad ones from far away) but even the very good ones up close if the hair is pulled back (which how I wear my hair).

And if you have thin hair (which I do) you can count on getting a pretty visible scar in the hairline too.

This blows.

Anyway, the mid-lift should probably eliminate or reduce those folds but without those lines. Run with that one.

I can stand in front of the mirror pulling my cheek skin back thinking to myself, "ahh if only!" Heh!