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Dr. Umar Uses Hyaluronic Acid Laugh Lines Filler for Mild Nasolabial Folds on Westlake Village, Los Angeles Patient

Article Updated August 2022

A laugh lines filler adds volume to the parenthetical creases around the nose and mouth, known as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, or smile lines. Over time, such issues start to become deeper.

These signs of aging are generally caused by a combination of genetics, sun exposure, and poor lifestyle habits.

In combination, they reduce the skin’s elasticity and cause the deterioration of fat and muscle tissue below the surface.

This relatively young patient from Westlake Village, Los Angeles was concerned about the early onset of deepening nasolabial creases. Dr.U used a laugh lines filler made of hyaluronic acid to reverse this issue to produce an exceptionally natural-looking outcome.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally found component of youthful skin. As an injectable, the body will not react to it.  HA pharmaceutical products are sourced from bacteria, not humans or animals. They undergo tightly regulated purification and sterilization processes at the time they are manufactured.

Because hyaluronic acid holds large amounts of water, it contributes to more seamless and subtle outcomes in the end.

Wrinkle & Laugh line treatment with Hydrelle

Please visit http://www.finetouchdermatology.com for more videos. Result is seen in Los Angeles after the injection of 1cc of the dermal filler hydrelle to the laugh lines also called nasolabial folds. Hydrelle is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler tthat works just like Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane.

Before Photos of Laugh Lines Filler

Here are images of the patient before her treatment with Dr.U. Although her laugh lines were hardly noticeable, she was unhappy with their appearance and the likelihood of seeing her condition worsen over time.

Westlake Village, Los Angeles patient before her treatment with a laugh lines filler.
Westlake Village, Los Angeles patient before her treatment with a laugh lines filler.

Can a Hyaluronic Acid Filler Be Used in your 20’s or 30’s as a Preventative Against Wrinkles and Aging?

The use of hyaluronic acid or any filler will not completely stop normal aging processes. But they can help offset certain aspects and even prolong the need for surgery.

There is a study that shows that hyaluronic acid is able to actually stimulate collagen production in the skin by stretching fibroblast cells. The extent to which this occurs, however, will vary across individuals.

Also, the routine application of a  laugh lines filler can prevent, or delay the onset of jowls along the jawline.

The use of fillers is best combined with appropriate skin care and healthy lifestyle practices. This includes the daily use of a high-quality SPF 30+ product,  adopting an antioxidant-rich diet, and avoiding harmful substances such as nicotine and alcohol which can further deflate the skin’s appearance.

Laugh Lines Filler Procedure for Westlake Village Patient  

Dr. U chose a hyaluronic acid filler known as Hydrelle for this patient.  Since HA is already part of the skin, test injections are unnecessary.

Hyaluronic acid lifts the base of the wrinkle so that it is level with the skin's surface. Image courtesy of Plastic and Aesthetic Research.
Hyaluronic acid lifts the base of the wrinkle so that it is level with the skin’s surface. Image courtesy of Plastic and Aesthetic Research.

Hydrelle combines hyaluronic acid with lidocaine for pain-free procedures.  It is the first FDA-approved dermal filler to include this numbing agent. Previously, doctors used ice or numbing cream prior to injections.

HA formulations with lidocaine will have a more uniform distribution of the numbing medication for a more comfortable experience.

Once injected beneath the skin, Dr. U molds the substance into place.

Hyaluronic acid filler procedures for laugh line reduction, or treatment in other areas,  generally last 15-30 minutes and can even be done during lunch hour.

Experience Matters for Hyaluronic Acid Filler Treatments

Hyaluronic acid injections have grown in popularity in recent years. Brands like Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane are often regarded as natural fillers for laugh lines and other areas of treatment.

Although generally safe, desired results will depend on choosing the right doctor, not so much the right treatment brand. In the hands of less experienced, or non-qualified providers,  hyaluronic acid can lead to regretful outcomes and additional complications.

According to  FDA reports, hyaluronic acid fillers have been linked to cases of blindness and even strokes. Other known complications include the formation of bumps (nodules), allergic reactions, inflammation, infections, and vascular issues.

As opposed to a cosmetologist, a board-certified dermatologist like Dr. U would have a much better understanding of facial anatomy.  Injecting a blood vessel and blocking it can lead to disastrous outcomes like strokes. Also, obstructing a blood vessel near the eye can lead to blindness.

Before and After Photos of Laugh Lines Filler Treatment By Dr.U

Here are before and after photos showing the patient with an improved nasolabial area. Her results, which show excellent healing are depicted in just two weeks, and also two months, following her procedure.

 

Close up view before and after Dr. U's laugh line filler treatment.*
Close up view before and after Dr. U’s laugh line filler treatment.*
Patient is happy with her laugh line treatment results at two months.*
Patient is happy with her laugh line treatment results at two months.*

 

At two months, the hyaluronic acid laugh lines filler continues to produce natural looking results.*
At two months, the hyaluronic acid laugh lines filler continues to produce natural-looking results.*

The patient is unable to detect the presence of the filler in the injected area. She reports that no lumpiness or bruising had developed. Nor was downtime necessary in her case.

Dr. U explains that the use of fine needles minimizes the risk of complications such as bruising.

Video of Patient’s Laugh Lines Filler Experience

According to Dr. U,  “softening the laugh lines can shave years off the face.” In this video, the patient is pleased with the compliments she receives from others who tell her that she looks younger, although no one can tell that she had anything done.

 

If you live in the greater Los Angeles area and are considering treatment for laugh lines or deepening nasolabial folds, you may submit your photos and information to Dr. U through our complimentary online consultation form.

Free Skin Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions – Laugh Lines Filler

How much do fillers cost for laugh line reduction?

The average cost for these types of procedures can range from $600-$1000 per syringe. Pricing variables often include the brand name of the product, the amount of filler used as well as geographic location.

Is there such a thing as natural fillers for laugh lines?

Since hyaluronic acid is a sugar compound found in our bodies, it is often considered to be a natural filler.

However, it does undergo extensive lab processing to become a final pharmaceutical product.

Besides purification, this also involves cross-linking the HA molecules together to form a gel-like substance. Different methods will uniquely affect the consistency, nature, and behavior of the final hyaluronic acid injectable.

Should I use Botox or fillers for laugh lines?

Botox should not be used for laugh lines. It is best applied in the upper part of the face to relax muscles which lead to creases and wrinkles such as crow’s feet, frown lines, and horizontal forehead worry lines.

Although facial expressions such as laughing or smiling contribute to laugh lines, the use of Botox is not recommended near the mouth since it may impair a patient’s ability to speak or eat.

Since laugh line grooves are caused by the loss of facial volume fillers offer a much better option for improving the appearance of nasolabial creases.

Can creases around the mouth be treated with a laugh line filler cream?

There is no such thing as a cream that can perform the role of an injectable filler.

Topical products sold directly to consumers only help to moisturize the skin’s surface.

At best, this may temporarily reduce the appearance of fine lines in this area.

How are the various brands of hyaluronic acid injectables different from one another? Is one necessarily better than the other when used as a laugh lines filler?

As mentioned earlier, hyaluronic acid filler products differ from one another due to the way they are cross-linked. Some are firmer and more viscous, while others have a more fluid consistency.

The choice of filler really depends on considering these characteristics for individual patient challenges.

Hyaluronic acid fillers are generally indicated for milder forms of laugh lines.

More severe cases are likely to benefit from a calcium hydroxylapatite filler known as Radiesse.

This product consists of microspheres made of a calcium-based compound suspended in a gel. It offers greater structural support to fill and lift nasolabial areas.

Don’t see your question answered above? Use the button below to ask Dr. U.

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References

  1. Wang F, Garza LA, Kang S, et al. In vivo stimulation of de novo collagen production caused by cross-linked hyaluronic acid dermal filler injections in photodamaged human skin. Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(2):155-163. doi:10.1001/archderm.143.2.155
  2. WebMD. 2022. How Your Life Affects Your Skin. [online] Available at: <https://www.webmd.com/beauty/ss/slideshow-skin-beauty#:~:text=To%20boost%20aging%20skin%2C%20exfoliate,stay%20out%20of%20the%20sun.> [Accessed 23 August 2022].

 

Further Reading

Learn how this patient of Dr.U turned back the hands of time simply by filling in her laugh lines.

Read more about another patient of Dr. U who used hyaluronic acid filler to improve the lines around her mouth.

 

 

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