1.General information
It is not difficult to guess that there is no such diagnosis as “smoothness of the nasolabial fold” in any classification, just as there is no such disease. Of course, this is only a symptom, one of many phenomena objectively observed and recorded by a doctor - which, however, has great diagnostic significance in neurology and often serves as an informative sign of a pathological process.
Nasolabial folds are paired narrow grooves or wrinkles on the skin that run from the wings of the nose to the corresponding corners of the lips. It should be noted that close attention to these skin folds is shown by another medical specialty that has been rapidly and successfully developing in recent decades, namely aesthetic medicine. The fact is that many people - and not only women, as one might think - their own nasolabial folds can be perceived as too deep, unnatural, “aging” or even disfiguring, which is the reason for seeking help, say, to a plastic surgeon. However, such a problem, which can be subjectively very acute or even extremely valuable, at least does not pose a direct threat to health, while an asymmetric change in the shape or relief of the folds can be a very alarming sign in the neurological sense.
It is known that in a living person, in any case possessing a unique individuality in all aspects, the face is never completely symmetrical. Human facial expressions are so rich, varied and individual that this is reflected in the shape of wrinkles, habitual tension and relaxation of facial muscles, etc. However, a certain degree of asymmetry - the smoothness of one of the nasolabial folds with the same depth and length of the other - ceases to be a normal personal feature and becomes a pathology.
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Methods for correcting nasolabial folds
Depending on the depth of the furrows, various techniques are used to get rid of them. For young people, these can be procedures at home, which are more preventive in nature. Injection, laser and other techniques are recommended for older patients.
Correction at home is possible if the nasolabial lips are mild. Ways to prevent grooves in the nasolabial triangle area:
- Pharmacy products based on retinol, burdock, sesame oil, vitamins E and C. They are suitable for making masks yourself with the addition of glycerin, cottage cheese, honey, herbal infusions, oatmeal. The action of such products is aimed at deeply moisturizing the skin, which is quite enough for care.
- Anti-age cosmetics – anti-aging effects on the surface layer of the skin. Stimulates the production of nutrients, activates blood and lymph flow. Contains hyaluronic acid, peptides, proteins, collagen, providing a light smoothing effect.
- Facebuilding is a special exercise for the face that can increase muscle tone and restore skin elasticity and smooth out furrows. Exercises must be started under the supervision of an instructor or strictly follow the recommendations if a course video is used.
More popular methods due to their high efficiency are salon procedures and aesthetic medicine techniques.
Injection correction
Fillers are used to eliminate nasolabial folds. These are preparations based on hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite and additional components:
- plant substances;
- amino acids;
- coenzymes;
- vitamins
Also, the nasolabial lips are smoothed well with injections of indirect lipolytics. Mesotherapy is carried out using an ultra-thin needle, which delivers the drug into the dermis to a depth of 1.5 to 4 mm. The cocktail penetrates to the middle layers of the skin and immediately begins to improve metabolic processes, cell regeneration and replenishment of missing substances for elasticity. The injections may cause slight discomfort, but they usually contain an anesthetic.
The number of procedures depends on the depth of the fold - from 1 to 6 sessions with an interval of 7 days. The effect is noticeable after the first manipulation and lasts for 6 – 12 months.
Chemical peeling
Exfoliation with acids allows you to even out skin tone, smooth out wrinkles, and increase elasticity. The procedure is based on the action of fruit or lactic acids, which leads to damage to the dermis and accelerated tissue regeneration. Most often, acid-based retinoic peeling is used to correct nasolabial lips:
- retinoic;
- phytic;
- azelaic;
- koevaya.
The exfoliation preparation also contains vitamins. In essence, retinoic peeling is superficial, but gives the same effect as deep peeling. Thanks to it, collagen synthesis is restored, which leads to skin elasticity.
This procedure is performed by a qualified cosmetologist who accurately selects the concentrations and working components. The specialist knows how much time is allowed for exposure to acids and how many layers are required to obtain the effect.
The procedure takes no more than half an hour. After it there may be temporary reactions - redness, swelling, but they last no more than a day. To carry out exfoliation, pre-peeling preparation is necessary. The doctor also gives recommendations on skin care during the rehabilitation period. The correction effect is noticeable after a week and fully manifests itself after 1 – 2 months.
Laser resurfacing
Laser exposure gives very high results in eliminating deep nasolabial folds. The procedure is safe, non-contact, so there is no risk of infection. Modern equipment is equipped with special cooling systems, which ensures virtually painless skin treatment.
Laser resurfacing involves a local effect on tissue - the beam works only on problem areas and does not affect healthy areas. Thanks to this procedure, wrinkles are smoothed out, the skin becomes tightened, and beautiful relief and natural contours appear. The face also acquires a healthy color, pigmentation is eliminated, tone is evened out, and its own collagen begins to be produced.
The effect of the procedure is noticeable immediately after rehabilitation, which takes no more than 7 days. The number of sessions is from 3 to 7, depending on the degree of manifestation of the furrows.
Thread lifting
The technique involves introducing spring threads under the skin. The fibers are self-absorbable, smooth, permanent, and ribbed. They are used to tighten and strengthen the skin. The procedure is a minimally invasive technique, since no incisions are required - the threads are inserted through microscopic punctures.
The fibers are made from hypoallergenic materials that are highly biocompatible and engraftable. After implantation, the threads create a strong frame, thanks to which folds and wrinkles are smoothed out and contours are tightened. The fibers are not visually noticeable, not felt, and do not cause discomfort. The effect of this correction lasts for 3–4 years.
Each of the cosmetic procedures has contraindications, so consultations and examinations are carried out before they are carried out. The doctor discusses with the patient which correction method to choose in order to achieve the longest lasting effect, observing all safety rules
2. Reasons
The maxillofacial zone is extremely saturated with blood vessels, lymph nodes, various glands (sebaceous, sweat) and, among other things, nerves - first of all, numerous branches of the facial nerve, which is part of a large group of cranial nerves (there are thirteen in total). From a neurophysiological point of view, the facial nerve is a motor nerve, but in fact it performs many functions, also responsible for sensitivity, taste perception, etc.
Accordingly, lesions of the facial nerve can manifest themselves with a wide variety of symptoms - from intense pain due to neuritis to passive and not consciously controlled drooping of one half of the face.
Smoothness of the nasolabial fold, expressed to one degree or another, occurs in many neurological diseases, starting with stroke: in this case, the dead area of the cerebral cortex is simply not able to send command signals to the nerve, and the facial muscles, the final executors of such commands, sag limply in a relaxed state.
The nasolabial fold can be smoothed in case of total or partial paralysis of the facial nerve (partial paralysis is called paresis), Rossolimo-Melkersson syndrome, compression and/or pinching of the nerve due to a tumor growing in the maxillofacial structures, fibrosis (scarring, abnormal growth of connective tissue), injuries and dislocations of the jaw joints, birth injuries.
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3. Symptoms and diagnosis
The smoothed nasolabial fold is visually perceived as less deep and prominent, with a simultaneous lowering of the associated angle of the mouth and facial muscles on the same side of the face. The severity of the symptom can be very different - from barely noticeable asymmetry to the complete absence of the fold (for example, with Millard-Gubler syndrome).
The localization of the symptom is also diagnostically important: in particular, with sensory cortical aphasia of Broca-Wernicke, the right nasolabial fold is always smoothed out.
The diagnosis, of course, is not the skin fold as such, but the neurological status of the patient. A detailed medical history is collected, a thorough neurological examination is carried out with the study of reflexes, skin sensitivity, muscle strength of the limbs, coordination of movements, and speech. Instrumental studies are prescribed as necessary; The most informative is tomographic methodology, but almost always the electrical activity of the brain is also studied using EEG; Dopplerography may be indicated as a way to measure major cerebrovascular vessels, etc.; in some cases, it is advisable to conduct a neuropsychological examination and/or other additional diagnostic methods.
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How to make facial wrinkles around the mouth visually invisible using cosmetics?
There are a few more tips from makeup artists that you need to follow to divert attention from nasolabial wrinkles.
Make facial wrinkles around the mouth visually invisible:
- If you have nasolabial wrinkles, try not to use very dark lipstick. The use of dark brown or purple lipstick is excluded, as they provide a shadow and further emphasize nasolabial wrinkles.
- This is usually visible in the evening, when the light falls from top to bottom. Thus, the area of nasolabial wrinkles darkens and becomes more distinct.
- It gives age, and adds a few extra years. In addition, women over 50 should be careful when choosing a hairstyle. All the straight lines and cuts of your hair show up on your face.
Makeup application patterns
4.Treatment
Therapy is entirely determined by the array of diagnostic results obtained and is etiopathogenetic, i.e. focused on eliminating the cause. Thus, in different clinical situations, anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic drugs, myostimulation, drugs with the effect of stimulating cerebral circulation and nutrition, and many others may be needed. It is unrealistic to list all the therapeutic strategies and regimens practiced today; they are selected strictly according to individual indications, however, in some cases, pronounced facial asymmetry, unfortunately, remains irreversible (for example, as part of the consequences of a stroke). It is important to remember that if any changes are noticed in the usual facial expressions, individual facial symmetry, speech, sensitivity, you should definitely see a neurologist as soon as possible: perhaps this will prevent much more serious problems than a purely cosmetic imbalance.
