Skin Concerns · Apgujeong, Seoul
Nasolabial Folds
Soften the creases that run from nose to mouth with filler, lifting and collagen care planned around your face.
Skin Concerns · Apgujeong, Seoul
Nasolabial Folds
Soften the creases that run from nose to mouth with filler, lifting and collagen care planned around your face.
Quick answer
Every plan at Oaro Dermatology Clinic begins with a 1:1 skin diagnosis by a board-certified dermatologist, so the dose, device settings and session count are set for your skin rather than a template. Meet our doctors or ask about your own skin .
At a glance
| Procedure time | 20–60 minutes depending on the plan |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Topical numbing cream |
| Downtime | 0–3 days of mild swelling |
| Sessions | 1 for filler; 1–3 for lifting or boosters |
| Results last | 9–18 months, longer with maintenance |
| Performed by | Board-certified dermatologist |
Overview
What are nasolabial folds?
Nasolabial folds are the two creases that run from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. Everyone has them to some degree, because they mark the boundary between the mobile upper lip and the fuller cheek. They become a concern when they deepen into a shadowed groove that is visible at rest, which for many people happens from the mid-thirties onward.
Three changes usually drive them. The fat pads of the mid-cheek lose volume and slide downward, so skin that was once supported now folds over the crease. The skin itself loses collagen and elastin and no longer springs back. And years of smiling and speaking etch a line into the dermis. Genetics, sun exposure, rapid weight loss and smoking can all bring the fold forward by years.
How nasolabial folds are assessed at Oaro
At Oaro Dermatology Clinic in Apgujeong, Seoul, treatment starts with a 1:1 diagnosis rather than a product. Dr. Chang-hyun Kim examines the fold at rest and in motion, checks the cheek for volume loss and assesses how much laxity is present along the jaw. A fold caused mainly by descending cheeks tends to respond better to Ultherapy or Thermage FLX than to filler placed directly in the crease, while a fold that is simply hollow may need nasolabial fold filler alone. Many patients in their forties and fifties do best with a staged plan that lifts first and fills second, then maintains the result with collagen stimulators. The plan is written down, explained in English and recorded in your care notebook so each follow-up builds on the last.
Why patients choose Oaro
- Diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified dermatologist, not a technician
- Genuine devices and products: Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, Helios Pico, Rejuran, Juvelook
- One treatment plan, written down, with aftercare and follow-up
- Private 1:1 rooms in Cheongdam Tower, 8 minutes from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
- English-friendly coordination and clear, itemised pricing
Treatment goals
Common goals for nasolabial fold treatment
Soften the shadow
Reduce the depth of the groove so it no longer reads as a dark line in photographs or under overhead lighting.
Restore cheek support
Replace lost mid-face volume with cheek filler or Sculptra so the skin above the fold is lifted rather than simply plumped.
Keep expression natural
Preserve the normal movement of your smile; the aim is a softer fold, not a flat, over-filled mid-face.
Slow the progression
Use collagen-building treatments and sun protection so the fold deepens more slowly over the coming years.
Your visit
What to expect
1. Consultation & diagnosis
Your dermatologist photographs your face, assesses skin thickness, cheek volume and laxity, and explains which of the three causes is dominant for you. You receive a written plan with options and realistic expectations before anything is booked.
2. Treatment
For filler, numbing cream is applied for 20 minutes and a hyaluronic acid product is placed with a cannula or fine needle in the cheek and along the fold; this takes about 30 minutes. Lifting sessions with Ultherapy or Thermage FLX take 45–60 minutes and can be combined with filler on the same day or staged two to four weeks apart.
3. Aftercare & follow-up
You leave with written aftercare in English and a review appointment at two weeks, when the result is settled and any fine adjustment can be made. Maintenance intervals are recorded in your care notebook.
Cost guide
Nasolabial fold treatment cost in Seoul
Prices at Apgujeong clinics vary with the product used, the number of syringes and whether lifting is added. Oaro Dermatology Clinic quotes a full plan rather than a per-syringe teaser price.
| Option | Typical range (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Hyaluronic acid filler, per 1 cc | 300,000 – 600,000 |
| Ultherapy, mid-face focus | 1,200,000 – 2,500,000 |
| Thermage FLX, 600 shots | 2,000,000 – 3,500,000 |
| Sculptra or Juvelook, per session | 400,000 – 1,200,000 |
Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation after examination.
Aftercare
Aftercare
- Avoid pressing or massaging the treated area for 48 hours unless instructed.
- Skip saunas, hot yoga and alcohol for two to three days to limit swelling.
- Sleep on your back for the first two nights if filler was placed.
- Apply SPF 50 daily; sun exposure accelerates collagen loss.
- Contact the clinic promptly if you notice unusual pain, blanching or asymmetry.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, M.D.
Board-certified dermatologist and Representative Director of Oaro Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam. Ulthera Certified Treatment Provider, Thermage FLX Master Certified, and full member of the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Society for Dermatologic Laser and the Korean Filler Society.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can nasolabial folds be removed completely?
No, and they should not be. A fold that is fully erased looks unnatural; the goal is to soften its depth while keeping normal expression.
Is filler or lifting better for nasolabial folds?
It depends on the cause. Filler suits a hollow fold; lifting suits a fold created by sagging cheeks. Many patients benefit from both.
How long does nasolabial fold filler last?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers last 9–18 months in this area, with gradual fading rather than a sudden return.
Does treatment hurt?
Numbing cream makes filler comfortable; lifting devices produce heat or a deep pulsing sensation that most patients tolerate well.
Can I fly home the next day?
Usually yes. Mild swelling is common for a few days but does not prevent travel from Seoul.
Explore related care
Often considered together
- Nasolabial Fold Fillers — the filler option in detail
- Cheek Fillers — lift the fold by restoring mid-face support
- Ultherapy — ultrasound lifting for sagging cheeks
- Marionette Lines — the related lines below the mouth
- Skin Concerns — all concerns we treat
- Contact & Booking — book a consultation in Apgujeong
Private 1:1 consultation
Plan your treatment with a board-certified dermatologist in Apgujeong
Tell us what you would like to change, and we will examine your skin, explain the options and give you a written plan with clear pricing. English-speaking coordinators are available for international patients.