Cheek Volumization and Nasolabial folds

The impression that cheek filling results in longitudinal shortening ("lift") of the skin and elevation of the nasolabial crease(NLC) or nasolabial fold (NLF) has become common within the facial injection community, but remains unsubstantiated. In this study, seventy-seven patients were evaluated pre and post-injection injection of the cheeks with an Hyaluronic Acid filler using a 3-dimensional camera system. A constant pattern of skin expansion away from the center of the injection and perpendicular to the surface of the skin was observed. A subgroup of 37 patients without differences in their pre and post-injection facial expression were analyzed by direct comparison and failed to demonstrate lateral traction (or "pull") on the intervening skin from the cheek injection site to the nasolabial crease. Further, there was no photographic difference in the nasolabial fold or nasolabial crease. The only patients who demonstrated photographic improvement of the medial face were those who had filler placed directly in the transition between the lateral nasolabial fold and cheek (nasojugal crease). It is likely that expanding the nasojugal crease is the direct visual cue that leads to perceived improvement in the nasolabial fold. No disclosures Corresponding author Val Lambros, MD , Clinical professor of Plastic Surgery, University of California Irvine, 2121 E Coast Highway #200, Corona Del Mar Ca 92925, Lambrosone@aol.com ©2018American Society of Plastic Surgeons