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Nasolabial Fold Treatment in Lagos: Filler, Threads or Neither?

Nasolabial fold treatment in Lagos: whether filler works, what threads can and cannot do, and when neither is the right answer.

Dr Gladys Emokpaire-Oni, Medical Director
Medically reviewed by Dr Gladys Emokpaire-Oni, Medical Director
9 min read · BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lekki Phase 1
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Nasolabial Fold Treatment in Lagos: Filler, Threads or Neither?

Nasolabial folds are the lines or creases that run from the sides of the nose towards the corners of the mouth.

They are a normal part of facial structure and expression. But as facial volume and proportions change over time, they can become more noticeable.

If yours are bothering you, you may have already come across several treatment options, particularly dermal fillers and thread lifts.

But there is a question that should come before choosing either one:

What is actually causing the fold to look prominent?

Because sometimes the best treatment is filler.

Sometimes another approach may be worth considering.

And sometimes the most appropriate decision is not to treat the fold directly at all.

Nasolabial, perioral before and after at BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lagos
Before and after perioral at BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lagos

What Are Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are natural facial creases that extend from the area beside the nose towards the corners of the mouth.

Everyone has them to some degree.

Their appearance can vary depending on factors such as facial structure, natural volume distribution and changes that occur over time.

This is why having a visible nasolabial fold does not automatically mean that something is wrong or that it needs to be “filled.”

The important question is whether the fold has become a concern for you and what is contributing to its appearance.

Why Do Nasolabial Folds Become More Noticeable?

There is rarely one single explanation.

The appearance of the fold can be influenced by the way your facial structure, soft tissue and volume relate to one another.

As the face changes over time, the relationship between different areas can change too.

This is why directly treating the fold is not always the most appropriate starting point.

A practitioner should assess the face as a whole before deciding what, if anything, should be treated.

Does Nasolabial Fold Filler Work?

Dermal filler may be appropriate for some people who are concerned about the appearance of their nasolabial folds.

The objective is not necessarily to completely erase the natural crease.

Instead, treatment may aim to soften its appearance and improve the overall balance of the face.

But the important question is whether the fold itself is the right place to add volume.

That decision should be made after assessment.

More Filler Does Not Necessarily Mean a Better Result

A common mistake is to think that a deeper fold requires a larger amount of filler directly into the fold.

That is not necessarily the case.

The face needs to be assessed in its entirety.

Adding excessive volume simply because a fold is visible can create an appearance that does not fit the rest of the face.

A natural-looking result depends on proportion, not on trying to make every line disappear.

What About Threads for Nasolabial Folds?

Thread lifts are another treatment that some patients consider when they want to improve facial definition or address signs of facial laxity.

However, threads and dermal fillers do different things.

Filler adds volume.

Threads are used in a different way to create a lifting or repositioning effect.

That means the choice between them should not be based simply on which treatment sounds stronger.

The practitioner first needs to understand what you are actually trying to change.

If the concern is primarily about volume or facial balance, one approach may be more appropriate.

If the concern involves another aspect of facial structure or laxity, a different approach may be considered.

Filler vs Threads: Which Is Better?

There is no universal winner.

The better treatment depends on the problem.

If your main concern is… The conversation may involve…
A concern related to volume Dermal filler may be considered
A concern involving facial laxity or lifting A thread lift may be discussed
A fold that is part of your natural facial structure Treatment may not be necessary
A concern caused by another area of the face Treating the fold directly may not be the best approach

This is why choosing a treatment before having your face assessed can be misleading.

The question should not be:

“Filler or threads?”

It should be:

“What approach best addresses what I am actually seeing?”

Nasolabial at BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lagos

When Might Filler Suit Nasolabial Folds?

Filler may be worth discussing when the concern is appropriate for a volume-based approach and the patient wants to soften the appearance of the fold.

The treatment should still be individualised.

Factors that may be considered include:

  • Your facial structure
  • Existing facial volume
  • The appearance of the fold
  • Your aesthetic goals
  • Previous filler treatment
  • The relationship between the mid-face and lower face
  • How much change you actually want

The objective should be a balanced improvement rather than simply filling the deepest part of the crease.

When Might Threads Be Considered?

Threads may be discussed when the patient’s concern is more closely related to the appearance of facial laxity or the desire for a lifting effect.

But a thread lift is not simply a stronger version of filler.

It is a different treatment with a different purpose.

If your main concern is a line that you want to make less noticeable, adding threads does not automatically make them the better option.

Your practitioner should determine whether the treatment is appropriate for the concern you are actually trying to address.

When Is Neither the Right Answer?

This is one of the most important questions.

Not every nasolabial fold needs treatment.

Some folds are simply part of your natural facial anatomy.

If the fold is mild, proportionate to the rest of your face and not genuinely bothering you, there may be little reason to treat it.

Likewise, if your concern is being driven by something other than the fold itself, directly injecting or lifting the area may not produce the result you expect.

A good aesthetic consultation should be comfortable ending with:

“You do not need this treatment.”

What If You Want a Younger-Looking Face?

This is where treatment planning becomes especially important.

Someone may say:

“I want to get rid of my nasolabial folds because they make me look older.”

But the fold may not be the only thing influencing how they perceive their face.

Trying to treat every visible sign of ageing individually can lead to an over-treated appearance.

A more useful approach is to understand what has changed overall and decide which, if any, changes would genuinely improve the face.

Sometimes treating one area can make a meaningful difference.

Sometimes several concerns need to be considered together.

And sometimes leaving an area alone produces the most natural result.

Can Nasolabial Filler Look Natural?

Yes, but the goal should not be to make the nasolabial fold completely disappear at any cost.

Natural-looking facial enhancement respects the fact that faces have lines, movement and contours.

A completely line-free face is not necessarily a natural-looking face.

The better objective is often to soften a feature that bothers you while preserving the character and proportions of your face.

That requires careful assessment and restraint.

Jaw, chin filler before and after at BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lagos
Before and after jaw and chin at BluOrchid Aesthetics, Lagos

How Much Filler Is Needed?

There is no universal amount of filler that every person with nasolabial folds needs.

The appropriate amount depends on the individual treatment plan.

Your practitioner may consider:

  • The depth and appearance of the fold
  • Your existing facial volume
  • Your facial structure
  • Whether other areas are contributing to the appearance
  • Your aesthetic goals
  • Previous filler treatment
  • Whether direct treatment of the fold is appropriate

This is why you should be cautious about choosing a treatment simply because someone else received a particular number of syringes.

Your face is not the same as theirs.

What Does Nasolabial Fold Treatment Cost in Lagos?

There is no single price for nasolabial fold treatment in Lagos because the cost depends on the treatment recommended.

Filler and thread treatment are different procedures, and the cost can vary according to the treatment plan.

For filler, factors may include:

  • The product selected
  • The amount required
  • Whether one or multiple areas are treated
  • Your previous filler history
  • The practitioner’s treatment plan

For a thread lift, factors may include:

  • The area being treated
  • The type and number of threads recommended
  • Whether one or multiple areas are involved
  • The practitioner’s treatment plan

This is why a consultation is more useful than relying on a generic online price.

If you are comparing clinics, ask what the quoted price actually includes and what treatment the practitioner is recommending for you.

What Should You Ask During a Consultation?

If your nasolabial folds are bothering you, ask:

What is making my folds look prominent?

Do I actually need treatment?

Would you recommend filler, threads or neither?

Why do you recommend that approach?

Are you treating the fold itself or another area contributing to its appearance?

How much change should I realistically expect?

What happens if I decide not to treat it?

These questions can help you understand whether the proposed treatment is solving the right problem.

Filler, Threads or Neither: How Do You Decide?

Start with the concern, not the procedure.

If the issue is primarily related to volume, filler may be worth discussing.

If the concern is more closely related to facial laxity and a lifting effect is appropriate, threads may be considered.

If the fold is simply part of your natural facial structure or treatment would not meaningfully improve your overall appearance, neither may be the better choice.

That last option is sometimes overlooked because patients understandably expect a treatment recommendation when they book a consultation.

But good aesthetic medicine is not about finding a procedure for every concern.

It is about determining what, if anything, will actually improve the face.

Should You Treat Your Nasolabial Folds?

If your nasolabial folds bother you, the next step should not necessarily be booking filler or a thread lift.

It should be understanding why they look the way they do and whether treatment would genuinely improve your appearance.

For some patients, filler may be appropriate.

For others, a thread-based approach may be considered.

And for some, the most natural and appropriate decision is to leave the fold alone.

At BluOrchid Aesthetics, the goal is to assess your face as a whole rather than treating a line simply because it is visible.

If you are considering nasolabial fold treatment in Lagos, book a consultation with Dr Gigi at BluOrchid Aesthetics to discuss whether filler, threads or no direct treatment is the right approach for you.

Frequently asked questions

How Much Filler Is Needed?

There is no universal amount of filler that every person with nasolabial folds needs. The appropriate amount depends on the individual treatment plan. Your practitioner may consider: This is why you should be cautious about choosing a treatment simply because someone else received a particular number of syringes.

What Does Nasolabial Fold Treatment Cost in Lagos?

There is no single price for nasolabial fold treatment in Lagos because the cost depends on the treatment recommended. Filler and thread treatment are different procedures, and the cost can vary according to the treatment plan.

When Might Filler Suit Nasolabial Folds?

Filler may be worth discussing when the concern is appropriate for a volume-based approach and the patient wants to soften the appearance of the fold. The treatment should still be individualised. Factors that may be considered include: The objective should be a balanced improvement rather than simply filling the deepest part of the crease.

When Might Threads Be Considered?

Threads may be discussed when the patient's concern is more closely related to the appearance of facial laxity or the desire for a lifting effect. But a thread lift is not simply a stronger version of filler.

Ready to understand your own face?

A consultation at BluOrchid begins with exactly this assessment.

One hour with our doctors. An honest assessment. A plan built around you. ₦50,000, credited in full toward your first treatment.

Book your consultation Doctor-led assessment at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

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