Nasolabial fold filler is a hyaluronic acid or similar injectable placed in or around the crease that runs from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth. It softens the fold and restores lost volume, but it works best when the practitioner also looks at what is happening in your cheeks. Folds are a normal part of a human face, so treatment is always a choice, never a necessity. At our Milnrow clinic, dermal filler starts from £150, and every treatment begins with a consultation.

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TL;DR

  • Nasolabial folds are a normal feature. Filler can make them less pronounced, but you do not need to treat them.
  • Often the fold is a symptom of volume loss higher up in the midface, so a good plan may treat the cheeks first and the fold second.
  • Common side effects (swelling, bruising, tenderness) usually settle quickly. Rare serious risks, such as vascular occlusion, are why technique and training matter.
  • In the UK, anyone can currently inject in many settings, so check the practitioner’s qualifications, not just the price.
  • Our dermal filler treatments start from £150, and we always begin with a consultation to decide whether filler is right for you.

Table of Contents

What nasolabial folds are, and what filler does to them

Nasolabial folds, often called smile lines, are creases that extend from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Cleveland Clinic describes dermal fillers as injected substances that plump creases and restore volume and fullness, with hyaluronic acid among the most popular choices.

That is the simple version. The more useful version is this: a fold is where the cheek’s soft tissue meets the upper lip area, and as we age the cheek fat pads descend and the underlying bone gradually changes shape. The fold deepens because the support above it is thinner, not because the skin in the crease has failed on its own.

This is why filler is not a wrinkle eraser. It is a way of restoring support and softening a shadow. Done well, you still look like yourself, with a face that looks rested rather than altered.

Should you fill your nasolabial folds at all?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the honest starting point is that nasolabial folds are a normal facial feature and do not need treatment. Fillers can make them less pronounced, and that is a perfectly reasonable thing to want.

A few questions help you decide:

  • Does the fold bother you when your face is relaxed, or only when you smile? Smiling creates folds on every face. A crease that stays visible at rest is the one filler is most likely to soften.
  • Do you also feel your cheeks look flatter or more tired than they used to? If so, volume lower down the face may be part of the story.
  • Do you want a subtle softening or a completely smooth result? A conversation about realistic expectations matters more than the syringe.
  • Are you comfortable with a treatment that is temporary? Filler is not permanent, so you would be choosing to maintain it.

If you are under 18, filler cannot legally be given to you for cosmetic reasons in England. The Expression line treatment and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 made it an offence to administer fillers or expression line treatment to under-18s for cosmetic purposes.

Why the best results often start above the fold

Practitioners writing in the Journal of Aesthetic Nursing argue that addressing the underlying cause of ageing, such as midface volume loss, gives more balanced, natural and longer-lasting results than chasing the fold itself. The same piece describes modern technique as having moved beyond simple direct injection towards a holistic approach that considers bone resorption and deep fat loss.

In practice, that can mean:

  1. Assessing your whole face, from the cheekbone to the jawline, before a needle comes near the fold.
  2. Supporting the midface where volume has been lost, which lifts the tissue above the crease and often softens it indirectly.
  3. Treating the fold directly, if needed, with a small amount to refine what remains.

It also explains why one person needs a single syringe and another needs a plan. A specialist academy’s guidance for practitioners likewise recommends treating mid-face volume loss before treating the folds directly.

How a nasolabial fold treatment is carried out

A well-run appointment follows a clear order.

1. Consultation and medical history

Your practitioner should ask about your health, medication, allergies, previous treatments and what you want to change. They should examine your face at rest and in movement, and tell you plainly if filler is not the right tool. Photographs are usually taken so you can compare later.

You should hear which product is being used, how much, where it will go, what it costs and what could go wrong. You should never feel rushed to decide on the day.

3. Cleansing and injection

The skin is cleansed and the product is placed. Technique matters here. For direct treatment of the fold, one practitioner-training source describes a 25G cannula as the safer technique, reducing the risk of an adverse vascular event. Another training resource stresses that aspiration is paramount to avoid injecting into a blood vessel. Researchers have also described how high-frequency ultrasound can help practitioners visualise facial arteries and place filler in the intended tissue planes.

You do not need to understand every technical detail, but you can ask your practitioner how they approach safety in this area. A confident, trained clinician will be glad to explain.

4. Review of the result

You are usually assessed straight after treatment, and sometimes invited back for a check-in. Fillers settle over days, so the final look is not judged on the day itself.

Risks and side effects, in plain terms

Any injection carries risk, and you should know the real picture before you book. The NHS-linked Health Education England review lists common side effects such as swelling, bruising, redness and tenderness, which usually resolve quickly. It also describes rare but serious risks: infection, allergic reaction and vascular occlusion, where filler enters a blood vessel and can potentially cause tissue death, permanent scarring or even blindness.

Common side effects compared with rare serious risks

A systematic review of tissue fillers in the nasolabial fold area reported common complications including lumpiness (43%), tenderness (41%), swelling (34%) and bruising (29%). Those are mostly short-term, expected effects, which is why aftercare and realistic expectations matter.

When to seek help

  • Severe pain, a pale or mottled patch of skin, or any change in vision after filler needs urgent medical attention. Contact your practitioner immediately and, if you cannot reach them, go to A&E or call 999.
  • Redness and soreness that worsen in the treated area can signal infection. NHS guidance on skin-breaking procedures says bacteria can enter the bloodstream, so follow your practitioner’s cleaning advice and seek medical attention if the area becomes red and sore. If you have a heart condition or have had endocarditis, tell your practitioner before any skin-breaking cosmetic procedure and ask your GP or cardiologist whether you need extra precautions.

Why the person holding the syringe matters

The UK has been slow to regulate this field. The 2013 government-commissioned review noted that dermal fillers could be performed anywhere, with only general health and safety rules applying. The 2015 Health Education England report described non-surgical procedures as lacking restrictions on who could perform them and accredited training requirements. More recently, a cross-party group of MPs has recommended classifying dermal fillers as prescription-only medicines. Rules continue to develop, so check current official guidance when you book.

Until the law catches up, the safeguard is you. Before you book anywhere, ask:

  • Who exactly will treat me, and what is their clinical background?
  • What product will be used, and can I see the packaging?
  • What happens if something goes wrong, and who do I call?
  • Is there a proper consultation before any treatment, and am I free to say no?
  • Is the clinic premises clean, private and set up for medical procedures?

Be wary of deals that treat filler as a commodity, of pressure to book on the spot, and of anyone who cannot explain how they would manage a complication.

Other ways to soften nasolabial folds

Filler is one option among several. Cleveland Clinic lists retinoids, skin-tightening procedures and a cheek lift or facelift among the approaches that can reduce the appearance of these folds. In our experience, many people combine approaches, using skin-quality treatments alongside volume support.

At our clinic, the wider menu includes skin boosters (from £220), Profhilo (from £400), polynucleotides (from £180), microneedling facials (from £150) and chemical peels (from £90). These work on skin quality and hydration rather than on volume, so they suit people whose main concern is texture or fine lines around the fold rather than depth. Which of them, if any, suits you is something we decide together at consultation.

How long results last and what aftercare to follow

Fillers are not permanent. Duration depends on the product, how much is used, the area and your own metabolism, so expect results that last from several months up to around a year before you want a top-up. Your practitioner should give you a realistic range for the specific product they use.

Sensible aftercare after nasolabial fold filler usually looks like this, though you should always follow the written instructions you are given:

  • Avoid touching or massaging the area unless you have been told to.
  • Keep make-up off the treated skin for the period your practitioner advises.
  • Skip strenuous exercise, saunas and alcohol for the first day or so if advised, as heat and increased blood flow can worsen swelling and bruising.
  • Sleep with your head slightly raised the first night if swelling is a concern.
  • Contact your clinic if something looks or feels wrong rather than waiting to see.

What does nasolabial fold filler cost in the UK?

Prices vary widely between clinics and depend on the product, the volume and the practitioner’s training. The fold itself often takes around 1ml of filler, but a plan that also supports the cheeks may need more. A low headline price can reflect a promotion or the smallest volume, so compare what you actually get: product, amount, consultation and follow-up.

Our own published price for dermal filler is from £150. The exact cost for you depends on the amount and areas agreed at consultation, and we will give you a clear figure before anything is done.

Our perspective: treat the face, not just the line

We see many people who arrive asking for “something for these lines” and leave with a plan that is quieter and more sensible than they expected. That is deliberate. Our approach is consultation-led: we look at your whole face, your skin, your goals and your health before suggesting anything, and we tell you honestly what filler can achieve.

For nasolabial folds, that usually means thinking about support first. If the midface has lost volume, softening the fold alone can leave the face looking heavier around the mouth. A balanced plan, which may include dermal filler, skin-quality treatments or both, tends to look more natural and gives you more control over cost and pace.

Our perspective: treat the face, not just the line

We also believe appearance does not exist in isolation. Our clinic takes a holistic view that includes nutritional and mental well-being, because how you feel about a treatment, and how you look after your skin and body around it, shapes how happy you are with the result. Treatments are led by our clinicians, Nurse Rebeca and Dr. Chris, with safety standards and transparent advice at every step.

If you want a straight answer on whether filler is right for you, we would rather give you that at consultation than sell you a syringe you do not need.

— the author

Booking a consultation with us

If you are in Milnrow, Rochdale or the surrounding area and want to talk through your nasolabial folds, we offer consultation-led appointments where you can ask every question on this page. Dermal filler starts from £150, and we will agree the plan and the price with you before treatment. You can see our full list of treatments and book through Future Proof Medical in Milnrow.

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FAQ

Do nasolabial folds go away on their own?

No, they tend to become more noticeable with age, because they are a normal feature of the face. Options that can reduce their appearance include retinoids, skin-tightening procedures, filler and surgical lifts. None is essential, and the right choice depends on how much the fold bothers you.

Is nasolabial fold filler safe?

It is generally well tolerated when carried out by a properly trained practitioner, and most side effects are short-lived swelling, bruising and tenderness. Rare serious complications, including vascular occlusion, are why you should choose your practitioner on training and safety, not price. Seek urgent help for severe pain, skin colour change or vision changes after treatment.

How much filler do I need for nasolabial folds?

Often around 1ml is used for the folds themselves, but it depends on depth, your anatomy and whether the cheeks also need support. A good practitioner will assess your face first and agree an amount with you in advance, rather than selling a fixed package.

How long does the swelling last?

Swelling, redness and tenderness usually resolve quickly, often within a few days, though bruising can take a little longer. If swelling worsens, the area becomes hot, red and sore, or you feel unwell, contact your practitioner or a doctor promptly.

Sources

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Some treatments for expression lines are prescription-only and can only be discussed at a face-to-face consultation.